Lamentations

Lamentations

Main role for the viola da gamba“Mieneke van der Velden, gambist in the Netherlands Bach Society's ensemble, gives the viola da gamba a starring role in this year's programme: five-part lamentations with soprano and four viola da gamba. The gamba is considered one of the instruments that most closely approximates the sound of the human voice. The combination of gamba consort and soprano inspired countless composers throughout the centuries.

Lamentations

Early in the morning on Good Friday and Holy Saturday, prior to the St Matthew Passion, you can listen to the Lamentations; an intimate concert based on the lamentations of the prophet Jeremiah. In Bach’s time, these personal and dramatic biblical texts were traditionally read out in the Holy Week before Easter. The Bach Society has adopted this custom in its Lamentations, which has now become an annual tradition.Meditative and virtuoso music“This year, Amelia Berridge, soprano and core member of the Bach society, is leading the Lamentations. She chose a beautiful a capella programme for six singers that revolves around the lamentations by the Spanish composer Cristóbal de Morales. The meditative and virtuoso music by Morales is set off by polyphonic Renaissance works from various parts of Europe.

Lamentations

Early in the morning on Good Friday and Holy Saturday, prior to the St Matthew Passion, you can listen to the Lamentations; an intimate concert based on the lamentations of the prophet Jeremiah. In Bach’s time, these personal and dramatic biblical texts were traditionally read out in the Holy Week before Easter. The Bach Society has adopted this custom in its Lamentations, which has now become an annual tradition.Meditative and virtuoso music“This year, Amelia Berridge, soprano and core member of the Bach society, is leading the Lamentations. She chose a beautiful a capella programme for six singers that revolves around the lamentations by the Spanish composer Cristóbal de Morales. The meditative and virtuoso music by Morales is set off by polyphonic Renaissance works from various parts of Europe.

Guest performance

Guest performance

Collegium Vocale Gent “Et in arcadia ego”: Italian madrigals of the 16th century

Arcadia is the land of eternal sunshine and unclouded joy – but death also afflicts those who dwell there. A musical memento mori: in an affecting programme of vocal music, Collegium Vocale Gent conducted by Philippe Herreweghe explores the sound worlds of the late Renaissance and early Baroque

Wiener Sängerknaben

The Vienna Boys' Choir is the world's most famous boys' choir. Its roots trace back to 1498 (!), and among the choir's former members, you'll find classical giants like Joseph Haydn and Franz Schubert. Now, the choir is making a rare guest appearance at the Concert Hall, featuring Swedish music!The diverse programme showcases many facets of the choir, with much of the music specially arranged for this occasion. Before the interval, the classical dominates with music by Purcell, Mozart, Schubert, Verdi, and Orff, among others. And, of course, there's the quintessential Viennese with both Strauss waltzes and a polka.After the interval, there are also some Swedish elements, such as Gabriella's Song from the film As It Is in Heaven, and ABBA's Mamma Mia and Thank You for the Music. Perhaps not what one might expect from the Vienna Boys' Choir! This part also includes jazz, musicals, and even Italian crooning – Volare (actually titled Nel blu dipinto di blu) and O Sole Mio!

FEL!X. Coline Dutilleul | B'Rock

The House of Arenberg, one of the oldest dynasties in the Eifel region, expanded its power to the Netherlands and Belgium from the Middle Ages. Passionate about the arts, the family's private music collection dates to the late 17th century. Belgian mezzo-soprano Coline Dutilleul and B'Rock Orchestra showcase the family's extraordinary musical legacy with works by Vivaldi, Handel, Campra, and other contemporaries.

Emmanuelle Haïm

Emmanuelle Haïm, born in Paris in 1962, got her passion for Baroque music from her aunt – from whom she also received her first piano lessons. Today, the conductor and harpsichordist is one of early music’s shining stars, a baroque icon among aficionados. Her musical intensity is captivating, and is characterized by boldness, charm, and flexibility. And the BRSO also treasures these qualities. When Haïm conducts Purcell’s lesser-known semi-opera (a setting of A Midsummer Night’s Dream), it will be her eagerly awaited second appearance with the orchestra since 2017. Since she is particularly known for her performances of Handel (a composer whose music features prominently in her discography), the concert will also include a large suite, the dazzling Music for the Royal Fireworks, as well as an Italian cantata, sung by the wonderful Dutch soprano Lenneke Ruiten, that showcases Handel’s intimate side.