18.11.-26.11.23

La Grande Gare

Autumn Festival

GOOD NEIGHBORS

Franco-German history in the nineteenth century is a chapter in its own right, and is still very much worth perusing. The fact that one of the most important cultural magazines of the time was published in Paris is not surprising, until we learn its title: La Revue wagnérienne. Goethe’s writings were also influential. A few years ago, Gounod's opera Faust was performed at the Festspielhaus, the Berliner Philharmoniker once presented Berlioz's La Damnation de Faust here, and now we will experience the new production of Jules Massenet's opera Werther. The finesse of the score is already evident in the fact that the role of Charlotte is sung by a mezzo-soprano, in our case by splendid American mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey. But back to the cultural magazine: festivals can also play the very same role. This is clear not only in the panel discussion, but also in the intellectual depth of the programs, which, as always, are co-curated by the conductor of our opera premiere, Thomas Hengelbrock.

The Program

SA 18.11.23

ORLANDO FIGES

Reading and talk: The author of The Europeans in conversation

Figes’ book "The Europeans", a panorama that illuminates the impact of painting, music, and literature, serves as the occasion for a conversation about Europe between the writer, conductor Thomas Hengelbrock, and artistic director of the Festspielhaus Benedikt Stampa – further guests are also expected.

TO THE EVENT

SU 19.11.23

SOCIÉTÉS

The Music of the Salons

The young South African Kristian Bezuidenhout is the most famous fortepiano player of our time. With the members of the Balthasar Neumann Orchestra, he will be performing music from the early Romantic period – including Schubert's celebrated Trout Quintet.

TO THE EVENT

TU 21.11.23

UNITÉ

European works of the Renaissance

Baden-Baden's collegiate church will be reopened in 2023, freshly renovated. Many margraves and margravines rest here, while in the nave it is music that ensures a lively congregational life. We are delighted to be guests again with a festival concert.

TO THE EVENT

THU 23.11.23

HARMONIE

Choral Music from Germany and France

"Harmony" is the keyword. This and perfect intonation are central to choir singing, but here “harmony” goes beyond that. This concert is about German-French unity – as well as its intermittent absence...

TO THE EVENT

FR 24.11.23/SU 26.11.23

JULES MASSENET: WERTHER

With Werther, it is clear why Robert Carsen had to stage this opera. Theatrical material at its finest, as if tailor-made for the Canadian director, who works very often in France and whose stage language is understood all over the world.

TO THE EVENT

SA 25.11.23

CONNEXION

The World in Rhythm

After exploring the nineteenth-century European salon and the musical worlds of the Renaissance, Thomas Hengelbrock finally breaks all boundaries in presenting works from New Zealand, Europe and North, Central, and South America.

TO THE EVENT

SA 18.11/SU 19.11/SU 26.11.23

European Singing Festival

Participation

You like singing, perhaps already from sheet music and in a choir? Then you are warmly invited to our Singing Festival. Under the guidance of the instructors from the Balthasar Neumann Choir, you will work on selected examples of European music over two days. There will be two days of rehearsals, after which we invite everyone to a festive final concert – the latter is free of charge for all guests.

TO THE EVENT
Sponsored by the Baden-Württemberg Foundation