Anne-Sophie Mutter performs to help jobless musicians Climbing COVID numbers have forced the return of the hard lockdown in Germany. For most of the past year, tens of thousands of freelance musicians have been out of a job. The famed violinist is addressing their plight. Anne-Sophie Mutter playing during a vespers service at the Berlin Cathedral During an event in Hamburg's St. Michael's Church this weekend, Anne-Sophie Mutter performed — and called for donations. The recipients: the roughly 55,000 independent, freelance musicians in Germany who figuratively or literally "sing for their supper." Unaffiliated with orchestras or other institutions, if they don't play, they don't earn. The general music director and principal conductor of Hamburg's state opera, Kent Nagano, also participated in the event.