Festivity commences in Rheinsberg, despite all tickets being sold out - Festival summer in Rheinsberg is rapidly nearing its sell-out point, indicating a popular demand for the event.
The picturesque town of Rheinsberg in the Ostprignitz-Ruppin district is gearing up for a cultural extravaganza with the ongoing Festival Summer of the Chamber Opera. Despite the opening performances not being fully sold out, the event has been a significant attraction for visitors, as it has historically been a centre for theatre and music culture.
King Frederick II, who resided in the castle for four years after his coronation, made Rheinsberg a haven for the arts under his brother, Prince Heinrich. This tradition continues today, with the castle and the surrounding park playing host to a variety of performances throughout the summer months.
As the festival enters its peak season in August, preparations are underway for the revival of Mozart's "Der königliche Hirte" and Johann Strauss' "Die Fledermaus." Rehearsals for the latter began on Monday in the courtyard of the castle.
Georg Quander, the current artistic director of the festival, will be stepping down in September. He will be replaced by Jelle Dierickx, a Belgian who is taking over the leadership of the festival. Dirk Beenken, the managing director of Musikkultur Rheinsberg, mentioned that bookings are becoming more last-minute, with the trend of last-minute bookings and weather-dependency continuing from recent years.
The remaining events for the festival in 2025 include concerts on July 25, 27, and 28. The Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin will perform works by composers such as Bach, Westhoff, Mattheis, and contemporary composer Bára Gísladóttir. The Barokkbandið Brák will also perform as part of this festival program.
The schedule is concentrated specifically on these late July dates as part of the Kammeroper Schloss Rheinsberg lineup. The focus of the festival is on chamber opera with a blend of Baroque and contemporary early music repertoire, highlighting both historical and modern compositions.
A spokesperson for Musikkultur Rheinsberg gGmbH stated that the festival is becoming more theater-focused, with a shift towards more productions and performances. With Jelle Dierickx at the helm, the festival is set to continue its rich tradition of bringing the best of opera and music to the charming town of Rheinsberg.
In light of the upcoming peak season of the Festival Summer of the Chamber Opera in Rheinsberg, a policy for increased theater-focused productions has been implemented, aligning with the artistic director's transition from Georg Quander to Jelle Dierickx. Furthermore, as part of the entertainment portfolio, vocational training opportunities in the field of chamber opera and early music repertoire will be considered, fostering the town's long-standing cultural heritage.
