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 story
In 1763, a seven-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart spent six weeks in Brussels, during which he performed at the court of Charles of Lorraine as part of his first European tour. In 2015, this historic event inspired three opera professionals (a conductor, a director and a singer) to set up their own Brussels initiative in his name (Amadeus & Co). In 2016, a brand new festival (Midsummer Mozartiade) came to life. Since then, this new platform has been bringing together emerging talent (Belgian and international) and diverse audiences (in Brussels, Mons and Namur) every summer to celebrate opera masterpieces (particularly those by Mozart). It also aims to promote Brussels not only as a capital with a Mozartian past (alongside Vienna, Prague, London and Paris), but also as a dynamic hub for cultural creativity and civic initiative. Each festival edition features a fully staged opera production accompanied by a second main stage event (such as a concert). To ensure greater accessibility for all types of audiences, these two components are complemented by free events (such as concerts and performances in public spaces) and outreach activities (such as discovery days and lectures). Our project thus continues its dual activity of 'creation' (an annual opera production ‘made in Brussels’) and 'dissemination ' (an annual festival in Brussels, followed by tours to other festivals in Wallonia). Eight editions later, it is firmly anchored in the heart of Brussels and increasingly recognised as an effective springboard for up-and-coming opera singers.
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 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 story
In 1763, a seven-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart spent six weeks in Brussels, during which he performed at the court of Charles of Lorraine as part of his first European tour. In 2015, this historic event inspired three opera professionals (a conductor, a director and a singer) to set up their own Brussels initiative in his name (Amadeus & Co). In 2016, a brand new festival (Midsummer Mozartiade) came to life. Since then, this new platform has been bringing together emerging talent (Belgian and international) and diverse audiences (in Brussels, Mons and Namur) every summer to celebrate opera masterpieces (particularly those by Mozart). It also aims to promote Brussels not only as a capital with a Mozartian past (alongside Vienna, Prague, London and Paris), but also as a dynamic hub for cultural creativity and civic initiative. Each festival edition features a fully staged opera production accompanied by a second main stage event (such as a concert). To ensure greater accessibility for all types of audiences, these two components are complemented by free events (such as concerts and performances in public spaces) and outreach activities (such as discovery days and lectures). Our project thus continues its dual activity of 'creation' (an annual opera production ‘made in Brussels’) and 'dissemination ' (an annual festival in Brussels, followed by tours to other festivals in Wallonia). Eight editions later, it is firmly anchored in the heart of Brussels and increasingly recognised as an effective springboard for up-and-coming opera singers.
|
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.