Schubertiade debut in Schwarzenberg

René Pape makes his debut at the renowned Schubertiade Festival in Schwarzenberg, Austria. Founded in 1976, the Festival is an homage to the Schubertiade events that were held during Schubert’s lifetime. In the early 1800s in Vienna, patrons and artists would gather at the homes of wealthy music lovers where informal concerts were held. The composer himself was often in attendance, and took part in these musical soirées. While the concerts given at the Schubertiade today are more formalized, they seek to celebrate this Austrian pastime with lieder concerts given by many of the world’s leading interpreters of vocal chamber music. On August 25, Mr. Pape debuts at the festival, accompanied by pianist Camillo Radicke. Their program begins with Die ihr des unermesslichen Weltalls Schöpfer ehrt by Mozart, followed by Eine kleine deutsche Kantate, also composed by Mozart with poetry by Ziegenhagen. Two lied cycles, the first, Beethoven’s Gellert cycle, and the second, Schubert’s Heine cycle, round out the first half of the program. More contemporary pieces are presented after intermission: Quilter’s Shakespeare Songs, and seven songs by Sibelius.

Mr. Pape frequently performs in recital at the world’s most prestigious venues, to sold out crowds, and rave reviews. Carnegie Hall, the Gran Teatre del Liceu, The Metropolitan Opera, Opéra National de Paris, and Wigmore Hall have all hosted his liederabends. Earlier this summer, Mr. Pape also performed a lieder recital at the Edinburgh International Festival. Mr. Pape travels next to Prague, where he performs Dvořák’s Stabat Mater on September 7.