MIDSUMMER MOZARTIADE
The non-profit association Amadeus & Co produces musical events which showcase Mozart-era heritage sites in Brussels (namely the Midsummer Mozartiade festival). We support the promotion of emerging opera singers by offering them the opportunity to evolve in a nurturing professional environment. We believe that Culture is a common resource which should be made accessible to all those who seek it. This is why we work to open the doors of our events to a diverse and enthusiastic audience. To implement our project, we choose to collaborate with partners who share these same values.
Our priorities
Our success
Together with all those who support us, we have managed to make a significant difference in the careers (as well as in the lives) of several exceptionally talented young artists. In the words of Paris-based artistic agent Magali Arnaud: "I became familiar with the Midsummer Mozartiade festival in Brussels in 2017, and have attended every production since. I have witnessed several singers from my agency take on extremely challenging roles there, early on in their careers. I was able to see to what extent those productions have shaped and seasoned them for their further careers as opera singers. As the artistic team is of a very high level, the singers benefit from demanding musical coaching and remarkable stage preparation. I have always been struck by the excellent quality of the opera productions and the professionalism of the festival team.”
Our commitment
In 1763, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart performed in Brussels at the age of seven as part of his first European tour. More than 250 years later, this historical fact may seem somewhat insignificant. Yet in 2015, it was enough to inspire three opera-loving Boomers (a conductor, a director and a singer) to launch their own civic initiative (the non-profit association Amadeus & Co). In 2016, the three of us (David Miller, Eric Gobin and Keith Tillotson) created a brand-new summer festival (Midsummer Mozartiade) to celebrate Mozart's masterpieces, local 18th century heritage sites and up-and-coming operatic talent. We also strive to promote Brussels not only as Mozartian capital (alongside Vienna, Prague, London, Paris), but also as a dynamic and diverse center of lyric excellence, cultural entrepreneurship and civic initiative. Five editions later, David has handed over the baton to Gabriel Hollander, an extraordinarily talented young conductor (and recently converted YouTuber). Whilst Eric and Keith remain the co-producers of the festival as well as the driving forces behind this surprisingly successful initiative. As such, we are currently hard at work preparing our festival 2021. If all goes according to plan, this 5th edition could become an emblem of post-Covid cultural renewal in Brussels and beyond.
Our priorities
- Share our passion for Mozart’s masterpieces with our fellow citizens – in Brussels, in Flanders, in Wallonia.
- Promote the careers of outstanding young artists by offering them the opportunity to perform their first major roles in our fully staged opera productions and by providing them ongoing support in the form of artistic and professional guidance.
- Showcase unique Mozart-era heritage sites in Brussels by organizing an attractive and convivial festival each summer and by supporting this initiative through engaging and informative communication efforts throughout the year.
- Build a loyal and enthusiastic audience through appealing and accessible musical events, through targeted outreach activities (such as discovery days for young people or a lecture series for the young at heart), through gestures of community spirit (such as free tickets for disadvantaged persons and free open-air concerts for all types of audiences).
Our success
Together with all those who support us, we have managed to make a significant difference in the careers (as well as in the lives) of several exceptionally talented young artists. In the words of Paris-based artistic agent Magali Arnaud: "I became familiar with the Midsummer Mozartiade festival in Brussels in 2017, and have attended every production since. I have witnessed several singers from my agency take on extremely challenging roles there, early on in their careers. I was able to see to what extent those productions have shaped and seasoned them for their further careers as opera singers. As the artistic team is of a very high level, the singers benefit from demanding musical coaching and remarkable stage preparation. I have always been struck by the excellent quality of the opera productions and the professionalism of the festival team.”
Our commitment
In 1763, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart performed in Brussels at the age of seven as part of his first European tour. More than 250 years later, this historical fact may seem somewhat insignificant. Yet in 2015, it was enough to inspire three opera-loving Boomers (a conductor, a director and a singer) to launch their own civic initiative (the non-profit association Amadeus & Co). In 2016, the three of us (David Miller, Eric Gobin and Keith Tillotson) created a brand-new summer festival (Midsummer Mozartiade) to celebrate Mozart's masterpieces, local 18th century heritage sites and up-and-coming operatic talent. We also strive to promote Brussels not only as Mozartian capital (alongside Vienna, Prague, London, Paris), but also as a dynamic and diverse center of lyric excellence, cultural entrepreneurship and civic initiative. Five editions later, David has handed over the baton to Gabriel Hollander, an extraordinarily talented young conductor (and recently converted YouTuber). Whilst Eric and Keith remain the co-producers of the festival as well as the driving forces behind this surprisingly successful initiative. As such, we are currently hard at work preparing our festival 2021. If all goes according to plan, this 5th edition could become an emblem of post-Covid cultural renewal in Brussels and beyond.
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FOUNDING MEMBERS
Eric Gobin, David Miller, Mathilde Simar et Keith Tillotson.
ASSOCIATED MEMBERS
Agnès Demeester, Primo Lunghi, Pierre-Antoine Martin et Pieter Vanhees.
HONORARY MEMBERS
Marc Eyskens, Paul-F. Smets, Thierry Debroux, Jacques De Decker, Marina Solvay, Thierry Bosquet, Marie Cornaz, José van Dam et Benoit Mernier.
Eric Gobin, David Miller, Mathilde Simar et Keith Tillotson.
ASSOCIATED MEMBERS
Agnès Demeester, Primo Lunghi, Pierre-Antoine Martin et Pieter Vanhees.
HONORARY MEMBERS
Marc Eyskens, Paul-F. Smets, Thierry Debroux, Jacques De Decker, Marina Solvay, Thierry Bosquet, Marie Cornaz, José van Dam et Benoit Mernier.
AN AMADEUS & CO PRODUCTION