The old Graz Hofkapelle and the Kassel Hofkapelle were contemporaries, so it is only fitting that the Neue Hofkapelle Graz will be giving its debut in this area with music played by the old ensembles. A large section of both their repertoires came from the most important centre for printed music during that period: Venice. From there virtuoso Italian instrumental music and vocal monody spread out triumphantly across Europe. As a result many German speaking musicians went to Italy to study and learned there the nuove musiche of their times.

The program offered by the Neue Hofkapelle Graz reflects the musical developments of this period of change, drawing on the outstanding collection of the Kasseler Hofkapelle and adding some Baroque pieces from Styria which were also played in Kassel. With their program of secular and religious vocal music as well as virtuoso sonatas and canzoni they demonstrate the broad spectrum of the repertoire of a Hofkapelle: every courtly occasion featured music!

Vocal music by Heinrich Schütz, Michael Praetorius, Johann Rudolf Ahle et al. and instrumental music by Carlo Farina, Johann Rosenmüller, Marco Uccellini et al.

Dame Emma Kirkby: Vocal
Neue Hofkapelle Graz: Ensemble

Entrance fees: 25 / 20 Euros / children and juveniles free