Invitation | Pressconference Berlin

INVITATION to the Press Conference on the occasion of the anniversary of the 50th Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik on the 21st April 2026, Berlin

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Colleagues,

since their founding in 1976, the Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik have stood among the foremost internationally recognised festivals devoted to historically informed performance practice. As a genuine pioneer in the field, the Festival has played an instrumental role in restoring Early Music from the archives to the stages of opera houses around the world. Through its unwavering commitment to period instruments, fully staged opera productions and the nurturing of emerging international talent, it has shaped and distinguished the Early Music world for more than five decades.

With the transition of artistic leadership in 2023 — Eva-Maria Sens appointed as Artistic Director and Ottavio Dantone as Musical Director, with the Accademia Bizantina as Orchestra in Residence — this distinguished legacy is not only safeguarded but carried forward with fresh vision and renewed purpose.

To mark their anniversary, the Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik will present their 2026 programme for the 50th Festival summer at the Austrian Embassy Berlin. At the heart of the occasion stands the Baroque opera ‘Il pomo d'oro’ by Pietro Antonio Cesti — long considered unperformable — which, under the musical direction of Ottavio Dantone, will be heard in its entirety for the first time since its legendary world premiere in 1668, in a newly reconstructed edition.

Artistic Director Eva-Maria Sens will offer further insights into the highlights of the anniversary season, among them concerts featuring the internationally acclaimed artists René Jacobs and Alessandro De Marchi, both longstanding figures in the history of the Innsbrucker Festwochen, as well as the International Singing Competition for Baroque Opera ‘Pietro Antonio Cesti’.

Where? Austrian Embassy Berlin (Stauffenbergstraße 1, 10785 Berlin), Gallery, 3rd Floor
When? Tuesday, 21st April 2026, 11.00 a.m.

Welcomed by: Johanna Rohland-Lindner | Director, Österreichisches Kulturforum Berlin
With: Eva-Maria Sens | Artistic Director, Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik
and Leonie Schiessendoppler | Press & Communication, Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik

Following the presentation, we warmly invite you to join us for a meet-and-greet with light refreshments and drinks.

Please register by 9th April 2026 at letter@ophelias-pr.com.
We look forward to your interest.

This press conference is held in collaboration with Innsbruck Tourismus:

Few destinations can rival the Innsbruck region for the effortless proximity of urban vibrancy and alpine adventure. One moment you are strolling through the medieval Old Town, savouring coffee in a time-honoured café or a fashionable new haunt, taking in remarkable sights such as Schloss Ambras, or immersing yourself in art and culture at the Haus der Musik — not least at the Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik. The next, you find yourself in the heart of unspoilt nature, with the mountain railways offering a most agreeable means of ascent. For those who prefer a more active exploration of the surrounding peaks, hiking trails and cycling routes — including dedicated e-bike paths — await in abundance. And alongside the sporting pleasures, culinary delights are never far away: the alpine meadow huts and mountain lodges at the foot of the Nordkette are renowned for their warm hospitality and hearty local fare.