Autumn Festivals of Europe
Vienna and Grafenegg – Ljubljana Festival – Maribor FestivalCombining Austria’s Grafenegg Festival, the 60th anniversary of the Ljubljana Festival and Richard Tognetti’s fifth and final Festival Maribor, this tour is definitely one for the musical connoisseur!
Since its spectacular inaugural season in 2007, Austria’s newest music festival has rapidly established itself as one of the foremost classical music events in Europe. Over three nights in the romantic open-air garden setting of Schloss Grafenegg outside Vienna, you will see and hear Thomas Hampson (baritone) in recital, and the London and Rotterdamm Philharmonic orchestras conducted respectively by two of classical music’s young stars, Vladimir Jurowski and Yannick Nézet-Séguin (the latter concert features legendary pianist Rudolph Buchbinder).
In 2012 the Ljubljana Festival celebrates it 60th anniversary and the organisers are planning a suitably impressive festival. Your stay is timed for the final weekend of the festival, including a special closing concert with the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra of Saint Petersburg under the baton of Valery Gergiev.
Since his arrival in 2008, Richard Tognetti has transformed the once sleepy Festival Maribor into one of Europe’s most exciting. 2012 will be his last year as Artistic Director and the ACO will be the guest orchestra in residence. Plus, Maribor will be a European Capital of Culture.
At a glance ...
• Three glorious concerts at Grafenegg Festival
• Mariinsky Orchestra at Ljubljana Festival
• The Australian Chamber Orchestra at Maribor Festival
• Richard Tognetti’s fifth and final Maribor Festival
Wokenturm stage at Grafenegg
ITINERARY ...
Mon 27 August 2012: Depart Australia
Suggested departure from Australia on Emirates via Dubai. Overnight in flight.
Tue 28 August: Arrive Vienna
Arrive Vienna in the afternoon. Check-in to your hotel located close to Schönbrunn Palace and Park. Tonight join Andrea Hull and fellow music lovers for a welcome briefing and dinner. (D)
Wed 29 August: Vienna
Start today with an orientation tour around the famous Ringstrasse surrounding the Old City and bordered by the city’s most important buildings: the Vienna State Opera, Hofburg Imperial Palace, Town Hall, Parliament House and the Museums of Fine Arts and Natural History. Continue on foot into the Old Town for a visit to the Collection of Ancient Musical Instruments.
This afternoon is at leisure until departure for the Grafenegg Festival.
Before tonight’s concert gain an insight into the day-to-day festival operations and into the development of Grafenegg into an internationally renowned festival location. The tour through the Wolkenturm and other festival venues is accompanied by interviews with those responsible behind the scenes (subject to confirmation) before this evening’s pre-concert dinner.
Following the backstage tour, concert in the indoor auditorium, featuring baritone Thomas Hampson and Wolfram Ringer on the piano. (BD)
Grafenegg Festival is a new event by European festival standards (the first Grafenegg Festival was held in 2007). This prestigious annual summer festival takes place over four weekends in August and September in the grounds of the historic 19th century Grafenegg Castle, about an hour’s drive from Vienna. The artistic director is acclaimed Austrian pianist Rudolf Buchbinder and the festival's program consists of symphonic and chamber music as well as recitals. International guest orchestras perform as well as the Austrian Tonkünstler Orchestra, which serves as ‘orchestra in residence’. Performances take place both on an open-air stage called the Wolkenturm as well as in an indoor concert hall.
Thu 30 August: Vienna
Following a pre-performance talk, the morning is at leisure to further explore Vienna on your own.
Depart Vienna in the early afternoon for an excursion to the Southern Vienna Woods. Pass the Roman city of Baden which is famous for its thermal springs, and drive through the romantic Helenental Valley to the former Mayerling hunting lodge. Today a commemorative chapel, here Crown Prince Rudolph together with his lover Baroness Vetsera died tragically in 1889. In the nearby Cistercian Abbey of Heiligenkreuz (1133) visit the medieval cloister which houses the remains of the last Babenberger.
After a pre-concert dinner, return to Grafenegg for a concert on the open air stage of the Wolkenturm. The London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Jurowski performs with cellist Truis Mørk. (BD)
Programme
Dvorák: Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B minor
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E minor
Fri 31 August: Vienna
Day at leisure. We recommend a visit to the Mozarthaus at Domgasse 5 where the composer lived from 1784 to 1787. Why not also explore the wonderful art museums of Vienna?
Later in the afternoon return to Grafenegg. Enjoy a picnic before a further concert on the Wolkenturm stage. The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra with Rudolf Buchbinder (piano) will be conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. (BD)
Programme
Brahms: Concerto for piano and orchestra no. 2 in B-flat minor
Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major
Sat 01 September: Vienna - Ljubljana
Enjoy a leisurely day’s drive across Austria and Slovenia to Ljubljana. The charming capital of Slovenia is set on the banks of the Ljubljanica River. Dinner at your hotel. (BD)
The Ljubljana Festival has a long history and tradition of presenting premier artistic events.
The program of events features renowned artists from home and abroad, including some of the world’s biggest names in music and theatre. Taking place during the months of July and August, this internationally recognised festival features many different type of events such as opera, dance, arts, theatre, contemporary music and artists from all over the world.
Since 1952, the Festival has evolved, changed and grown, and it has affected the cultural life in Slovenia considerably. Between 70 and 80 events of different genres take place annually at the Summer Festival, attended by about 80,000 domestic and international visitors.
Sun 02 September: Ljubljana
This morning explore Ljubljana’s Old town, renowned for its unique architectural appearance, which is a combination of Roman, Baroque and Art Nouveau styles. In the first half of the twentieth century, the character of the city was re-shaped by the famous European architect Jože Plečnik, a native of Ljubljana. Afternoon is at leisure to relax and enjoy more of this delightful city.
Evening performance of the Ljubljana Festival (subject to final festival program). (B)
Mon 03 September: Ljubljana
Full day excursion through the natural beauty of Slovenia. First visit Bohinj in Triglav National Park, one of the most stunning places in the heart of the Julian Alps. Continue to Bled Castle, perched at the top of a steep cliff overlooking Lake Bled. After lunch, enjoy a leisurely cruise on scenic Lake Bled to the small island in the middle of the lake, home to the Assumption of Mary Pilgrimage Church. (BL)
Tue 04 September: Ljubljana
Day at leisure to further explore Ljubljana and surroundings. Tonight attend the closing concert of the 60th Ljulbljana Festival by the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra of St Petersburg conducted by Valery Gergiev. (B)
Wed 05 September: Ljubljana – Maribor
Depart Ljubljana for a short drive across the scenic Pohorje region to Maribor (130 km, approx 1.5 hrs). Maribor is a university and cultural centre with an opera, theatre, museums, art galleries, and numerous cultural events including the Maribor Festival. In 2012 Maribor takes the spotlight of the European culture stage, becoming the European Capital of Culture.
During an afternoon guided tour, explore the picturesque city of Maribor. While you linger along the streets of the old medieval fortified town at the centre of Maribor, marvel at the city’s architecture. Pass by the Castle to the Main Square and continue your walk to see some other of Maribor’s landmarks: the Cathedral, the University and the National Theatre.
This evening, after a pre-performance talk and early dinner, attend the opening night concert of the Maribor Festival, featuring the Australian Chamber Orchestra, guest ‘orchestra-in-residence’ (program details for the 2012 Maribor Festival will be announced in April-May). (BD)
The Maribor Festival has developed from a festival of baroque music organised for the first time in 1963, to gradually become one of the major classical music festivals in Central Europe. In 1994 the festival concept and name changed to Music September and it expanded to castles, palaces and other venues around Maribor (Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Dornava, etc). Invitations to the festival were not sent out to chamber ensembles with their concert repertoire being pre-defined but rather to leading soloists who then created ensembles in Maribor according to the programme selected by the artistic director.
In 2008, the festival became known as the Maribor Festival and Richard Tognetti, Australian violinist, and leader and Artistic Director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, took up the position of Artistic Director for a six year term, to culminate in the 2012 Festival as part of Maribor’s status as European Cultural Capital. Under Tognetti the number of concerts has increased and, in addition to chamber music concerts, the program also contains symphonic works following the introduction of an orchestra-in-residence. In true Tognetti style, the festival program is always adventurous, eclectic and thought provoking. Expect to be very pleasantly surprised! For further information: http://en.festivalmaribor.com
Thu 06 September: Maribor
Drive out of Maribor to explore the picturesque ‘wine roads’ in the gentle hills surrounding the town. Wine making dates back to the Roman time which makes Maribor and the surrounding wine regions among the oldest but also some of the least known in the world. Stop at several wine cellars to taste some of the region’s famous wines.
Afternoon at leisure before an early dinner followed by this evening’s Maribor Festival concert. (BD)
Fri 07 September: Maribor
After breakfast attend a pre-performance talk by Andrea Hull followed by the morning concert (11:00am). Afternoon at leisure before this evening’s concert. (BD)
Sat 08 September: Maribor
Excursion to Ptujska Gora and Olimje. Visit the gothic pilgrimage church of the Mother of God in Ptujska Gora situated on a hill with marvellous views of the surrounding area. Continue to the picturesque monastery in Olimje, which is home to one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe. The building was originally constructed as a castle in the 11th century and later converted into a monastery. After lunch in a local restaurant return to Maribor.
Remainder of the afternoon at leisure before a further concert of the Maribor Festival. (BL)
Sun 09 September: Maribor
Day at leisure to enjoy the special festival atmosphere in Maribor. You may want to attend the morning concert followed by a farewell lunch.
Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before a final concert of the 2012 Maribor Festival. (BL)
Mon 10 September: Depart Maribor
Transfer (260KM approx. 3hrs) to Vienna airport for an afternoon departure on Emirates via Dubai. (B)
Tue 11 September: Arrive Australia
Evening arrival in Australia.
NB. Tickets to the Ljubljana and Maribor Festivals are subject to confirmation in early 2012.
