IMAGINATION

Fantasies of greatness – Dowland, Hume and their Danish patrons

Wednesday, August 26 – 7:00 PM

Chamber concert, Trinitatis Church

Musicians: Clara Cecilie Thomsen, soprano; Elizabeth Kenny, lute; Reiko Ichise, viola da gamba

Music by John Dowland (1563–1626) and Tobias Hume (1569–1645)

2026 marks the 400th anniversary of John Dowland’s death. The composer and lutenist, who was employed at the Danish court under King Christian IV (1598–1606), is therefore the featured name of the opening concert this evening. Together with English lutenist Elizabeth Kenny and Japanese gambist Reiko Ichise, Danish soprano and opera singer Clara Cecilie Thomsen invites the audience into an atmospheric concert in the beautiful Trinitatis Church.

“Fantasies of greatness” offers a unique historical insight into the music that resonated in Copenhagen during the reign of King Christian IV.

Curiosity – meet Michala Petri, Bolette Roed and their instruments

Thursday, August 27 – 5:00 PM

Music lecture, Kanalhuset, Christianshavn

Musicians: Michala Petri and Bolette Roed, recorders and lecture

The cozy rooms at Kanalhuset on Christianshavn once again invite the audience inside for a lecture – this time about the history of the recorder, with musical examples in the company of Michala Petri and Bolette Roed, who later that day will also give a concert together. The lecture is for everyone – young and old – who are curious to learn more about the recorder and to see and hear the instrument up close in an intimate and welcoming atmosphere.

“Curiosity” offers a rare opportunity to become enriched and gain deeper knowledge about an instrument many know only superficially, as well as to enjoy conversation and pleasant company with both Michala Petri and Bolette Roed in beautiful surroundings.

Birds delight – playful duets by G. P. Telemann

Thursday, August 27 – 7:30 PM

Duet concert, Church of Our Saviour

Musicians: Michala Petri & Bolette Roed, recorders

Music by Georg Philipp Telemann (1681–1767)

This evening offers the opportunity to experience the joyful dialogue between two “birds” who have found their way into the beautiful acoustics of Church of Our Saviour, where they sing happily and enjoy each other’s company. The recorder players Michala Petri and Bolette Roed performed as a duo at the festival several years ago, which led to many requests for a return – a wish that is now being fulfilled this evening. The program includes many of Telemann’s imaginative and playful duets, and the tones that emerge from the recorders and the hands of the two musicians will blend with the flight of birds in the sky.

“Birds delight” is a concert with a beautiful blend of playfulness and seriousness that arises between two kindred spirits, where the musical conversation continuously inspires new ideas and phrases intertwine lightly and elegantly.

Fantasias – the Italian sound

Friday, August 28 – 12:00 PM

Organ concert, Trinitatis Church

Musicians: Allan Rasmussen, organ

Music by William Byrd (1540–1623), John Dowland (1563–1626), Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583–1643), among others

This concert is part of the series of organ concerts at Trinitatis Church, and the Copenhagen Baroque Festival is pleased to invite audiences to an organ concert on the church’s unique Italian Baroque organ this Friday at midday.

Here, there is an opportunity to become acquainted with the characteristic Italian sound of this historic instrument, in the company of Allan Rasmussen, whose musical overview and rhythmic sense bring the music to life in a very special way.

Free entrance

The staircase – a travel in time

Friday, August 28 – 4:30 PM

Friday concert, Trinitatis Church

Musicians: Members of the Baroque orchestra Concerto Copenhagen and Lars Ulrik Mortensen; soloist: Iestyn Davies, countertenor

Music by Henry Purcell (1659–1695), William Croft (1678–1727), Signe Lykke (b. 1984), among others

Once you have heard and experienced the countertenor Iestyn Davies, it is unforgettable. He is one of those personalities and voices that light up a room. Together with members of the orchestra Concerto Copenhagen and Lars Ulrik Mortensen, Iestyn Davies creates a beautiful journey through time with, among others, selected songs by Henry Purcell, instrumental works by his contemporary William Croft, and a newly written work by Signe Lykke that resonates like a call from an unknown future.

“The Staircase” is 45 magical minutes in the company of Concerto Copenhagen and the world-renowned Iestyn Davies.

Free entrance

Friends for life – Krieger and Höffler

Friday, August 28 – 6:00 PM

Chamber concert, Sankt Petri Church

Musicians: Musizierende Gesellschaft Leipzig – Nadja Zwiener, violin; Georg Zeike, viola da gamba; Leif Meyer, harpsichord

Music by Johann Philipp Krieger (1649–1725) and Conrad Höffler (1647–1696)

The German Baroque composer Johann Philipp Krieger studied in Copenhagen during the 1660s, yet despite this we too rarely hear his beautiful works in concert. Now the German student returns to Copenhagen and is presented in the finest way together with one of his childhood friends, the composer Conrad Höffler, performed by three virtuosos on their respective instruments.

“Friends for life” presents a frequently overlooked composer, Johann Philipp Krieger, who himself lived and worked in Copenhagen for a number of years.

Free entrance.

Stormy reflections – the flute in solo, chamber and orchestral settings

Friday, August 28 – 7:30 PM

Orchestra concert, Trinitatis Church

Musicians: Baroque orchestra Arte dei Suonatori; soloist: Joachim Becerra Thomsen, flute

Music by J. S. Bach (1685–1750) and C. P. E. Bach (1714–1788)

This is the final concert of the Friday program – this time featuring the baroque orchestra Arte dei Suonatori in the beautiful acoustics of Trinitatis Church, in outstanding collaboration with this year’s P2 Artist of the Year, Joachim Becerra Thomsen on flute. Together, they invite the audience to enjoy some of the brilliant works of J. S. Bach and C. P. E. Bach – all with the flute at the center.

“Stormy reflections” presents one of Denmark’s strongest musical voices and a true master of his instrument, who makes the flute sing as if it were pure magic. The concert is recorded and broadcast live by DR P2.

Twilight – Purcell and his Fairy Queen

Saturday, August 29 – 4:00 PM

Orchestra and choir concert, Trinitatis Church

Musicians: Baroque orchestra Arte dei Suonatori; Andreas Arend, lute; Fredensborg Palace Church Girls’ Choir, conducted by Cille Buch
Music by Henry Purcell (1659–1695)

Experiencing the sound of 40 girls’ voices rising toward the ceiling of Trinitatis Church is just as magical as watching the sun begin its evening descent, the sky wrapped in a wealth of colors, and everything slowly turning toward twilight. The quiet magic of night takes over and fills the entire space, and the music lifts itself toward the sky, coloring it as if it were the setting sun itself.

Cille Buch is the choir’s conductor and leader, who, with her strong musicality together with the girls, creates an atmospheric world and opens the door to the beauty of music itself.

“Twilight” is an atmospheric concert where Purcell’s beautiful universe envelops the listeners, and where the choir and orchestra, through their sound and immersion in the music, give twilight and night their magical power.

Ballads Within a Dream

Saturday, August 29 – 6:00 PM

Chamber concert, Trinitatis Church

Musicians: Clare Wilkinson, mezzo-soprano; Hille Perl, viola da gamba; Veronika Skuplik, violin; Andreas Arend, lute

Music by Henry Purcell (1659–1695), Thomas Simpson (1582–c. 1628), John Eccles (c. 1668–1735), Gottfried Finger (1655–1730), among others

The four musicians and friends from across Europe – four of the most renowned Baroque performers of their time – create a fantastic dream world as they intertwine music by Eccles, Purcell, Simpson, and Finger, holding the listener within the beauty of imagination for a while.