The summer of music in the Rheingau has begun again. The picturesque landscape and wine region stretching along the right bank of the Rhine, from Wiesbaden to the town of Rüdesheim am Rhein, is once again the backdrop for the Rheingau Music Festival, founded in 1988 by Michael Herrmann, the festival’s artistic director. From June 21 to September 6, 2025, there will be 154 concerts at 27 venues in Wiesbaden and the Rheingau.
The Opening Concert II took place in the magnificent Friedrich von Thiersch Hall of the Kurhaus in Wiesbaden. “Une barque sur l’océan in F-sharp minor from Miroirs M. 43” by auMrice Ravel (1875-1937) and his Concerto for Piano
and Orchestra in G major, M. 83, formed the first part of the opening concert.
Beatrice Rana, the pianist from Lecce in Apulia, who attracted international attention at the age of 18 when she won first prize and all special prizes at the Montreal International Musical Competition in 2011, also thrilled the Wiesbaden audience this evening – a feast for the eyes in her long yellow gown and a delight to the ear. She came directly from Rome, where she performed a concert the previous evening at the Vatican with Russian pianist Aleksandr Malofeev and Ukrainian cellist Aleksey Shadrin in the presence of Pope Leo XIV.
The St. Cecilia Mass – a work of art that creates a meditative atmosphere
In the second part of the opening concert, the St. Cecilia Mass by Charles Gounod (1818-1893) transported the audience to other spheres. The work, with its musical beauty, combines elements of classical church music with soulful melodies. The mass is a work of art that appeals to emotions and creates a meditative atmosphere.
The Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Alain Altinoglu, the MDR Radio Choir under the artistic direction of Risto Joost, soprano Anette Fritsch, Ukrainian tenor Bogdan Volkov, and French baritone Alexandre Duhamel succeeded in bringing this special magic to the stage of the Wiesbaden Kurhaus. An almost reverential atmosphere prevailed.
Anette Fritsch is one of the leading lyric sopranos of her generation. She has performed at renowned opera houses such as the Teatro Real in Madrid, the Bavarian State Opera, the Bastille in Paris, La Scala in Milan, the Theater an der Wien, the Salzburg Festival, and many others. Ukrainian tenor Bogdan Volkov, one of the most sought-after lyric tenors of his generation, regularly performs at leading international opera houses, and French baritone Alexandre Duhamel, one of the most sought-after singers, captivate audiences with his distinctive voice and imposing presence on the opera stage and in the concert hall.
The audience honored the artistic performances of the Opening Concert II with standing ovations and cheers.
Johanna Wenninger-Muhr