Midsummer Mozartiade 2025: A Journey Through the Labyrinth of Love
From 17 to 22 June, the Midsummer Mozartiade festival returns to central Brussels for a special 9th edition. This year, the festival invites the public to follow Mozart – blindfolded – through the unpredictable labyrinth of love. The programme offers a varied selection of lectures, serenades, and music, with the famous opera Così fan tutte as its highlight.
Così fan tutte: A Funny and Dramatic Look at Love
One of the absolute highlights of the festival is the opera Così fan tutte, which will be performed on 18, 20 and 22 June at the Théâtre Royal des Galeries. This opera buffa, which combines both humour and drama, offers a fresh perspective on the complex and often risky dynamics of love. The story, written by Mozart with a libretto by Da Ponte, presents a playful and sometimes cynical approach to the seductive game of love.
The staging of Così fan tutte is in the hands of the multidisciplinary performing artist Eric Gobin. Vahan Mardirossian, music director of the Orchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie, conducts the performance, making his debut with a Mozart opera. It is a special opportunity for visitors to experience his interpretation of this opera.
In addition, several promising young artists are making their role debuts. Laetitia Grimaldi, Cécile Lastchenko, Dorine Mortelmans and Kenny Ferreira will be seen in their very first performances of the iconic roles, while Kamil Ben Hsaïn Lachiri returns to a role he previously performed as a student at the IMEP. Festival stalwart Shadi Torbey makes his return in the role he performed in 2018, adding an extra layer of experience and emotion to this performance.
Brahms' Liebeslieder Walzer: A Concert Performance
On 21 June, the festival presents a concert performance of Brahms' Liebeslieder Walzer at the Théâtre Royal des Galeries. These 33 miniatures, written for four voices and four-hand piano, form an enchanting musical dialogue that mirrors the sentimental turns of Così fan tutte. The waltzes seem to have been written for the same four lovers who play the lead roles in the opera.
The performance of the Liebeslieder Walzer will be provided by an ensemble of talented singers, including Pauline Lebbe, Caroline de Mahieu, Mathis Van Cleynenbreugel and Tom Van Bogaert. They will be accompanied by pianists Stéphanie Salmin and Martin Gennen, who will bring these heartwarming waltzes to life.
Lectures and Serenades: Deeper into the World of Mozart
For those who want to delve deeper into the world of Mozart, the festival organises two lectures on 17 and 19 June at the Maison CFC on Martelarenplein. Charles-Henry Boland and Manuel Couvreur provide interesting insights into Così fan tutte and the significance of the opera within Mozart's oeuvre. In addition, the young musicians of the Kwintet Udana will enchant passers-by in the Koningsgalerij with two serenades. These serenades, which feature works for wind ensemble from Mozart to contemporary composers, add an extra dimension to the festival and enrich the cultural experience of the public.
Tour in July: Così Fan Tutte Beyond Brussels
Following its success in Brussels, Così fan tutte goes on tour in July. The opera will be performed at the Théâtre Royal in Mons during the Festival au Carré, and later at the Grand Manège in Namur, as part of the Festival Musical de Namur. This offers a unique opportunity to experience this impressive production outside Brussels as well.
The Festival's Goal: Making Opera Accessible
Since 2016, Amadeus & Co vzw has organised the Midsummer Mozartiade festival, with the main aim of making opera – originally a popular art form – accessible again to a wide audience. The festival not only offers beautiful performances of classic operas, but also serves as a platform for emerging lyrical talent, both from Belgium and abroad.
Practical Information
Midsummer Mozartiade Festival 2025
Dates: 17 > 22 June 2025
Location: Théâtre Royal des Galeries, Brussels
More information: www.amadeusandco.com