Overview 5/7
One opera has come to a close, and the next one is already on its way. Welcome to the penultimate week of the 2026 Festival!
This week, our musical journey takes us to several destinations: twice to Italy, once to France, and once into the realm of dreams. We also have our second opera premiere coming up: our Barockoper:Jung production of 'Atalanta' – a true passion project for the Festival!
Also in this newsletter: one more reminder to nominate us for the International Opera Awards, as well as plenty of other events to discover.
All that remains is to choose – or simply experience it all.
If Tyrol reaches for its raincoat, we can at least travel south in our minds – twice: Arianna Vendittelli gets things started today, joining the Academia Montis Regalis under Chiara Cattani for 'Un giro d'Italia', bringing a touch of Mediterranean warmth to the Innsbruck summer rain.
On Tuesday, 18 August, 'Neapolitanisch aufg'spielt' brings two musical traditions together: the Huber family ensemble from the Ahrntal valley, with its Alpine musical heritage, and Talenti Vulcanici from Naples, who remain true to the sounds of their southern Italian homeland. There are still a few tickets available here.
A journey into the land of dreams awaits with 'Gioseffo' on 19 August. With this sold-out concert, the Festival also takes a look back at its own history: at the helm is Alessandro De Marchi, a former Artistic Director of the Festival. Also performing is a distinguished vocal ensemble featuring familiar Festival voices, alongside the Consort & Coro Maghini.
No sooner have the goddesses' vanities from 'Il pomo d'oro' faded away than the next tale of wonder unfolds on Friday. On 22 August, the oratorio 'Il Trionfo' explores the allegorical struggle between beauty and transience: will Bellezza (Beauty) succumb to the temptations of Piacere (Pleasure), or will Tempo (Time) and Disinganno (Disillusionment) lead her to enlightenment?
Under the direction of Attilio Cremonesi, the Freiburger Barockorchester brings Georg Friedrich Handel's oratorio to life.
A journey to France awaits on 20 August, when Jean Rondeau takes to the stage at the Haus der Musik Innsbruck for 'Encore'. Few artists can draw as much expression from the harpsichord as he can: The Washington Post hailed him as 'one of the most authentic artists on the classical music stage', and he is widely regarded as an outstanding ambassador for his instrument. A few tickets are still available for this special concert.
Now that the opera 'Il pomo d'oro' has been performed, the singers and musicians have departed – but the enthusiasm and excitement they left behind continue to reach us from all sides. We are still on cloud nine ourselves, and so we hope you won't mind us asking once again:
Will you nominate us?
Until 24 August, anyone can submit nominations for the International Opera Awards. Not all fields need to be filled in – a personal selection is enough.
We would be delighted if you would nominate us, our opera, and our artists:
- Rediscovered Work: Title: Il pomo d'oro / Company: Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik
- Festival: Innsbrucker Festwochen der Alten Musik
- Conductor: Ottavio Dantone
- Director: Fabio Ceresa
- Designer: Nikolaus Webern (set design) or Giuseppe Palella (costumes)
- Male singer / Female singer / Rising star: your personal favourites from the production!
'Off to Arcadia!'
While the curtain has already fallen on one opera, the final rehearsals for the next are well underway at the Kammerspiele: Georg Friedrich Handel's 'Atalanta' is this year's Barockoper:Jung production. Wild boars, determined queens, unrequited love and divine intrigue are all on the horizon – Arcadian mythology in all its complexity.
The premiere takes place on 21 August, followed by a second performance on Sunday, 23 August, at 4 pm, with two further performances next week. If you haven't got a ticket yet, however, you're too late: all four performances are completely sold out.
And there is plenty more going on besides: there are still tickets available for the organ concert 'Sonare organo' on 22 August at 1 pm. A lunchtime concert on Friday invites you to take a musical break, 'Musik im Gottesdienst' brings Early Music into a sacred setting, and two workshops give children the chance to discover how a trumpet is made. Those interested in the history of the Festival can delve into the past with 'Festwochengeschichte(n)'.
And last but not least: our exhibition is still open – at the east entrance of the Haus der Musik Innsbruck, on the second floor. Step out of the lift and into a treasure trove of memories from 50 years of the Festival.
