RADIO CHOIR LOUNGE

Battle for blue gold

All people need water; access to clean drinking water is a human right, but it is denied to more than 800 million people worldwide. Since water is an essential raw material, you can do extremely good business with it. And these are often particularly dirty. The first Radio Choir Lounge of season 26/27 therefore sets itself the task of discussing the role of water as a resource in economics and politics.

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Water, words and choral sound in the home port

Get out of the concert hall and into society — that is the motto when the Berlin Radio Choir greets you at the home port of Neukölln, because music and politics are inextricably linked. The musical program, put together by chief conductor Gijs Leenaars, and the accompanying expert talks will then revolve around the theme of water, with pieces such as Brahms' setting of the text “Es rinnen die Wasser Tag und Nacht”. Dr. Laura from Vittorelli is also one of the interviewees. She is a senior researcher in environmental law and governance at the Oeko-Institut and has expertise in national and European water law as well as in water policy. Following the main musical and thematic program, we cordially invite you to round off the evening at the bar at Heimahafen Neukölln with cozy lounge music. The concert will be recorded by Deutschlandfunk Kultur and broadcasted on December 3, 2026.

TIGHT

The Battle for Blue Gold

Everyone needs water. Access to clean drinking water is a fundamental human right — yet more than 800 million people around the world do still not have access to it. And because water is such a vital resource, it has also become a highly profitable one, often entangled in murky and controversial business practices. The First Radio Choir Lounge of the 2026/27 season sets out to explore the role of water in today's economic and political landscape.

Water, Words and Choir at Heimathafen Neukölln

Stepping beyond the concert hall and into the heart of society, the Berlin Radio Choir welcomes you to Heimathafen Neukölln — because music and politics are inseparable. Curated by Chief Conductor Gijs Leenaars, the musical programme revolves around the theme of water, complemented by discussions with invited experts. Among the guests is Dr Laura von Vittorelli, Senior Researcher for Environmental Law and Governance at the Öko-Institut, whose expertise includes national and European water law and policy. The repertoire includes works such as Brahms's setting of “The Wasser Tag und Nacht”. After the main programs, you are warmly invited to stay on, unwind at the Heimathafen Bar, and round off the evening with relaxed lounge music.

The concert will be recorded by Deutschlandfunk Kultur and Broadcast on 3 December 2026.

Rundfunkchor-berlin.de