Jonas Kaufmann on Bayern’s new stadium anthem: ‘It was a great honour for me’

Music and football often go together, including at Bayern. And to mark the club’s 125th anniversary, Club Nr. 12, the fans' association and Südkurve groups planned and organised a new stadium anthem. It was recorded by star tenor Jonas Kaufmann and 8,000 fans in the Allianz Arena’s Südkurve after the recent Bundesliga game at home to Heidenheim. Munich-born Kaufmann has now spoken about the new song, emotions in football and music, and his passion for Bayern in an interview with us.

Interview with Jonas Kaufmann

Jonas, how much persuasion did you need to get involved in the new stadium anthem?
“Oh, I didn't have to be persuaded at all, quite the opposite. There have been discussions for years that the Allianz Arena needs something that all fans can enthusiastically sing along to. Something that arouses emotions and gives you goosebumps. An anthem that really feels like FC Bayern. When the request came from the fan clubs, I was immediately thrilled. I consider it a great honour to be involved in such a project, especially as a long-time Bayern fan.”

You’re used to singing in large concert halls and opera houses. How did you experience the moment of recording with thousands of fans in the Südkurve? 
“It was an incredibly impressive feeling to stand in the middle of this huge community of fans and sing together. The people around me are the real pros when it comes to fan singing. They’re at every game, whether at home or away, and invest so much passion, time and often money for their club. That's really impressive.”

Was it a particular challenge for you to sing as part of this huge choir?
“The biggest challenge during the recording was finding the right balance. On the one hand, I wanted to adapt to the overall sound of the fans, but on the other hand I also had to take a certain lead, as the recording was made without orchestral accompaniment. It was important to keep the huge choir of thousands of voices together, because there is always a tendency for the tempo to take on a life of its own. I had to steer it a little, but without being too dominant. And of course I also wanted to avoid going home completely without a voice at the end.”

Where does your personal passion for Bayern come from?
“Football and Bayern fascinated me from an early age, especially through my father, who always took me to the stadium. As a child, I also had the classic Bayern bed linen and autograph cards of the big stars hung on my wall. What particularly impressed me was that Bayern fan merchandise was an absolute rarity among our relatives in East Germany. They were traded like gold. When I brought something back with me when I visited, my cousins could only marvel. That showed me the appeal of this club.”

Who are your favourite players? 
“It's almost impossible to name a single favourite player from 125 years. Bayern has produced so many exceptional footballers. But if I have to put it diplomatically, then perhaps the two Müllers, Gerd and Thomas. Both have shaped the history of this club over different eras and continue to do so to this day.”

The staging of football matches is often compared to opera. How apt do you think this comparison is? 
“Football offers scope for great staging, especially for special matches, finals. Everything that is put on stage is impressive. But at its core, football is something different to an opera. In opera, every note is fixed. You can still enjoy it even after a hundred performances. Football, on the other hand, is always the same play, but with an uncertain outcome. Football is unpredictable, and that's what makes it unique, that's what makes it so appealing.”

Which opera is best suited to Bayern? Wagner? Verdi? Mozart? 
“The most heroic of all opera composers was certainly Richard Wagner - his powerful, heroic melodies have inspired countless works, from ‘Star Wars’ to ‘Superman’. In this respect, the entrance of the Bayern players into the stadium could certainly be accompanied by a Wagner melody. But during the game, a variety of compositions are needed, depending on the match situation. For example, when Jamal Musiala dances past three opponents at the corner flag - like Wiggerl Kögl used to - a lively Rossini or Bizet would fit perfectly.”

Club anthems and fan chants are an integral part of football. Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, even the national team have sung their own songs. How do you view the connection between football and music? 
“Music was ultimately invented to transport and amplify emotions. You can clearly see that in film music, and the same applies to football. Such a highly emotional sport is made even more intense and memorable by music, there are even more goosebump moments. That's why football and music are a great match.”

You’re currently on tour in Asia. How do you keep up with Bayern? 
“Unfortunately, I'm not a member of one of the many Bayern fan clubs in Asia, so I haven't had the opportunity to watch a Bayern match with fans here yet. But of course I have the Bayern app on my phone, so I'm always up to date. And nowadays it's no longer a problem to watch a Champions League game live at four in the morning. No matter where you are in the world, Bayern is always there.”

Find out more about the club's 125th anniversary here: