Author: admin-andreasrichter

–Overview projects 2025/26 (PDF)

Freigeist Ensemble

Freigeist Ensemble is a courageous collective of supersonic soloists from German symphony orchestras that repackages super symphonic music for new audiences.

Often commissioning world premiere arrangements for innovative late-night projects, its mission is to revolutionise the style, sound and setting of classical concerts. This began in 2010 with “mini-Mahler” at Berlin’s Philharmonie Kammermusiksaal, followed by “Strauss 150: New Perspectives” at STATTBAD Berlin, “From Russia with Soul” at Griessmühle Berlin and “Bartók Beyond Borders” at Musikbrauerei Berlin.

Joolz Gale founded Freigeist Ensemble to build upon his vision to reach new audiences though new concert formats and alternative locations. Projects often include newly commissioned arrangements for ensemble by Joolz Gale himself (incl. Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben, Suite from Der Rosenkavalier, Bartók’s Dance Suite, Debussy’s La Mer, Bruckner’s 9th, Prokofiev’s 5th and Shostakovich’s 9th & 10th Symphonies), for which he is represented and published by Schott, Sikorski and Boosey & Hawkes.

VIDEO

PRESS

“An ideal case of closeness.”

Tagesspiegel Berlin, 4 August 2021

„The new great things are small… mini is irresistible..“

Tagesspiegel Berlin, 31 July 2021

SELECTION OF PROJECTS 2025/26

Availability upon request
BRUCKNER 6, 7, 8, 9 – 2024 200th anniversary of Anton Bruckner
with Joolz Gale, direction

A. Bruckner:
Symphony No. 6 in A major WAB 106, arr. Gale *Premiere*
Symphony No. 7 E major WAB 107, arr. Gale *premiere*
Synphony No. 8 C minor WAB 108, arr. Gale
Symphony No. 9 in D minor WAB 109, arr. Gale

DOWNLOADS

–Freigeist Ensemble press photo 1

–Freigeist Ensemble press photo 2

–Freigeist Ensemble press photo 3

–Freigeist Ensemble press photo 4

–Ensemble Mini press photo 5

–Freigeist Ensemble press photo 6

–Biography Joolz Gale (PDF)

–Projects 2025/26 (PDF)

Stegreif – The Improvising Symphony Orchestra

Without notes – without conductor – without chairs: Stegreif shows new ways of what a contemporary orchestra can look like today. In radical recompositions, the international musicians combine symphonic music with improvisation and influences from other genres and involve the audience in original spatial concepts. With these innovative concert formats, the young ensemble inspires a growing audience of different target groups.

Since the orchestra was founded in 2015, at least one new concert programme has been developed every year: #freebeethoven, #freeschubert, #freebrahms, #free∃roica, #bfree, #freemahler, #explore_mozart, #explorefreischütz, #bechange. In addition, co-productions have been realised with the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin and the young North German Philharmonic Orchestra (TRIKESTRA), among others. Stegreif has performed concerts renowned stages such as the Berlin Philharmonic, the Konzerthaus Berlin, the Elbphilharmonie the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, the Alte Oper Frankfurt, the Brucknerhaus Linz, the Radialsystem Berlin, the Beethovenfest Bonn or the Prinzregententheater Munich as well as at alternative alternative festivals such as FUSION, Detect Classic, PODIUM Esslingen, the Düsseldorf Festival or the Oranjewoud Festival (NL).

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PRESS

‘A Bruckner symphony in an interactive format: it’s one of the most goosebump-inducing moments of the evening and pure magic. Rarely do you experience the urgency and exceptional character of this music first-hand as was the case here.’

Urs Mattenberger in der Luzerner Zeitung, 12.09.2024

‘There was thunderous applause and standing ovations for this magnificent performance by an ensemble that had ‘delivered’.’

Reinhard Frank on shz.de, 24.07.2022

‘It’s a success! Bravo!’

Angelika Silberbach in Mainpost, 19.07.2022

‘The passion for music and the virtuosity of the individual pieces can rarely be experienced so closely.’

Ulrike Gerner in taz, 12.10.2019

SELECTION OF PROJECTS 2027/28

navinafotografiert-193595 Stegreif Orchester – press photo 1

Dates upon request
#FREE∃ROICA
Beethovens dritte Sinfonie – ohne Noten, Dirigent*in und Stühle
Sebastian Caspar, musical leader // Mike Conrad & Alistair Duncan, Recomposition & Arrangement

free∃roica about revolutions – historical and musical – and the heroes they brought forth. The orchestra strives towards them without sheet music, without a conductor and without chairs, and in doing so also looks for the small disorders. For example;these disruptions “only” consist of entering the concert hall without shoes or taking the audience on a journey from 18th century France to the present.

L. v. Beethoven: Symphony no. 3 in E-falt major op. 55

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Copy-of-BILD_bfree_2-C-NAVINAFOTOGRAFIERT Stegreif Orchester – press photo 2

DSC_1829_┬®Kasseler-Musiktage_Bernd-Schoelzchen Stegreif Orchester – press photo 3

DSC_2147_┬®Kasseler-Musiktage_Bernd-Schoelzchen Stegreif Orchester – press photo 4

_Molyvos 2020 Pressefoto 1

Molyvos International Music Festival

The Molyvos International Music Festival is celebrating its 10th birthday! The chamber music festival founded by the two pianists Danae and Kiveli Dörken on the Greek island of Lesbos has managed to establish itself as one of the most beautiful and inspired festivals in Southern Europe, despite all the non-musical challenges of the last ten years. With passion, creative ideas and equally committed allies, the two sisters have succeeded in bringing together top stars such as Lars Vogt, Christian Tetzlaff and Marlis Petersen as well as Europe’s young musical talent for chamber concerts, Musical Moments in the old town and various educational projects in Molyvos. The birthday edition presents artists such as Simon Bode, Antje Weithaus and Noé Inui as well as a world premiere by Lucas Thanos.

12 – 19 August 2026, Molyvos International Music Festival, Lesbos
EUDAIMONIA
Eudaimonia, according to Aristotle, represents the highest form of human happiness and a fulfilled, virtuous, and thus “meaningful” life. The focus is on understanding happiness not as a short-term pleasure, but as a lifelong development of one’s own abilities and virtues.
Danae & Kiveli Dörken, piano & artistic director

VIDEO

DOWNLOADS

_Molyvos 2020 Pressefoto 2

_Molyvos 2020 Pressefoto 3

Aga Khan Music Programme

Aga Khan Music Programme was established by Karim Aga Khan with the aim of supporting outstanding musicians and music teachers in preserving and communicating their musical heritage, developing it in contemporary forms and disseminating it worldwide through concerts and recordings. The programme initiates and implements country-specific action programmes to support the revitalisation and preservation of cultural heritage. Under this premise, special programme series in which outstanding renowned artists present new compositions, improvisations and arrangements of a repertoire strongly inspired by the respective tradition are developed, among other things. The programmes always represent artistic encounters between time-honoured traditions and contemporary forms, as a new generation of top-class musicians further develops and varies old musical traditions. The encounter of different cultures thus gives rise to a unique musical creativity.

The Aga Khan Music Programme strives with top-class musicians from the Near and Far East, Africa and the countries of the former Soviet Union to preserve the rich and varied heritage of classical music traditions from around the world and introduce them in Europe. From 15th to 17th February 2019, the Aga Khan Music Programme visited Germany for the first time, presenting the multi-faceted classical music of the Silk Road in four concerts at the Konzerthaus Dortmund, including a school concert. Renowned musicians, such as the Chinese pipa player Wu Ma, the Syrian composer and musician Basel Rajoub or Dutar and tanbur player Sirojiddin Juraev, combined music traditions of their countries with improvisation and borrowings from the Western jazz tradition in their performances. The multimedia concert Qyrq Qyz – Forty Girls reflected both musically and figuratively a centuries-old saga of Central Asia that could possibly change the Western view of women’s images of the East.

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PRESS

„Es ist nachhaltig beeindruckend zu sehen, welch schwindelerregend intellektuelle Leistungen klassischen Musikern in der Türkei, in Thailand und Java abverlangt werden.”

Michael Church, Old and New Music from the Ends of the Silk Route, 2016, 2

„Ein musikalisch hoch eindrucksvoller Abend, nicht zuletzt, um sich über das Fremde im Anderen und im eigenen Wesen klarzuwerden”

Eva-Maria Reuther im Volksfreund, 12.08.2019

DOWNLOADS

–Aga Khan Music Programme press picture 1

–Aga Khan Music Programme press picture 2

–Aga Khan Music Programme press picture 3

La Folia Barockorchester

La Folia – this term of the baroque era focusses on wildness, fury, jollity and generally on an artistic attitude of liberality and excessive creativity.

Since their foundation in 2007 the La Folia Barockorchester vitalises on period instruments the international music scene. Whether in a chamber music instrumentation or with baroque opulence, whether with instrumental music or together with vocal soloist – the aspiring young orchestra under the direction of the violinist Robin Peter Müller stands for energetic and overwhelming interpretations of the music from the 17th and 18th century. Historically informed the musicians are looking for opportunities to transfer the emotions and contents of the past centuries into contemporary interpretations which have thrilled both audience and critics alike.

The ensemble cooperates regularly with renowned instrumentalists and singers like Hille Perl, the Vienna Boys’ Choir, Regula Mühlemann, Mahan Esfahani and Jan Vogler, Dorothee Oberlinger, Dorothee Mields, Anna Prohaska, Maurice Steger and Stefan Temmingh.

Founder and director Robin Peter Müller, born in Dresden, is one of the most sought-after musicians of his generation performing on period as well as on modern violin.Within a short period he led La Folia Barockorchestra to international reputation.

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„Standing Ovations für einen überragenden Countertenor mit einem erlesenen Orchester und für ein spannendes, die interpretatorischen Grenzen durchaus tangierendes Programm.“

Die Nordwest-Zeitung, 31.08.2019

„Ein wunderbarer Abend mit Riesenbeifall.“

Weser Kurier, 22.09.2019

PROJECTS 2027/28 – A Selection

–La Folia Barockorchester press photo 1

5 May – 30 June 2027 and upon request
CLEOPATRA
Regula Mühlemann, soprano / Robin Peter Müller, violin & artistic leader

From the Baroque era to present day’s pop culture, Cleopatra is a guiding light on which fantasies can be ignited, power strategies can be studied and through which history has become noticeably more feminine and colourful. Together with the cele-brated soprano Regula Mühlemann, the La Folia Baroque Orchestra creates a multi-faceted picture and psychogram of this historical figure and her interpretation in the Baroque.

Works by C. H. Graun, G. Legrenzi, G. F. Händel, A. Scarlatti, A. Vivaldi, J. A. Hasse & F. Geminiani

DOWNLOADS

–La Folia Barockorchester press photo 2

PAST CONCERTS – A SELECTION

24 January 2026, Liepāja Concert Hall Great Amber / 28 January 2026, De Singel, Antwerpen / 1 February 2026, Philharmonie Essen / 3 February 2026, Tonhalle Zürich
CLEOPATRA
Regula Mühlemann, Sopran / Robin Peter Müller, Violine & musikalische Leitung

At the start of the 2026, the La Folia Barockorchester and its artistic director Robin Peter Müller were joined by the acclaimed soprano Regula Mühlemann: Their successful program Cleopatra relays a multifaceted psychogram of the historical figure Cleopatra and her interpretation in the Baroque era. Alongside famous arias by Handel and Hasse, the program offers exciting new discoveries of works by Graun and Vivaldi.

Works by C. H. Graun, G. Legrenzi, G. F. Händel, A. Scarlatti, A. Vivaldi, J. A. Hasse & F. Geminiani

Regula Mühlemann & La Folia Barockorchester © Valters Pelns

“With these resounding, magnificent sounds, the audience is sent off into the intermission.”

Online Musik Magazin, 2 February 2026

1 – 22 December 2023, Theater an der Wien
LA FINTA GIARDINIERA
Paul Schweinester, Don Anchise / Carina Schmieger, Violante / Adrian Autard, Contino Belfiore / Michaella Cipriani, Arminda / Valerie Eickhoff, Cavaliere Ramiro / Elisabeth Freyhoff, Serpetta / Anton Beliaev, Roberto / Clemens Flick, conductor / Anika Rutkofsky, stage direction / Adrian Stapf, stage and costumes / Franz Tscheck, light design / Bettina Bartz, dramaturge

In his opera LA FINTA GIARDINIERA, the then 18-year-old Mozart was already exploring one of his central themes – the tension between faithful partnership and erotic temptation, as well as emotional turmoil. Under the musical direction of Clemens Flick, the La Folia Baroque Orchestra followed Mozart’s intricate paths through the labyrinth of feelings and passions at the Wiener Kammeroper.

W.-A. Mozart: La Finta Giardiniera

La Finta Giardiniera, Theater an der Wien © Herwig Prammer

“In the end, there was thunderous applause for everyone involved.”

Der Opernfreund, 03 December 2023

10 Sep 2021, Harbour Front Literaturfestival, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
CELEBRATION OF LIFE AND DEAD
Robin Peter Müller, direction & violin / Anna Prohaska, soprano / Carolin Emcke, text

Anna Prohaska and the La Folia Barockorchester provided musical answers to questions between love and loss from eight centuries. Together, the author and the musicians celebrated “Celebration of Life in Death” on that evening at HARBOUR FRONT SOUNDS and gave expression to hope and grief in times of pandemic.

6 + 27 Aug 2019, Festwochen Innsbruck, Musikfest Bremen
CESARE!
Robin Peter Müller, direction & violin / Bejun Mehta, countertenor

G. F. Händel: Ouverture, March and Arias of Cesare from the opera “Giulio Cesare in Egitto” HWV 17

“Such an abundance of baroque splendor is not served every day. More of this, please.”

Tiroler Tageszeitung, 29 August 2019

Il Giardino Armonico

Il Giardino Armonico, founded in 1985 and conducted by Giovanni Antonini, has long established itself as one of the world’s leading period instrument ensembles, bringing together musicians from some of the most important music institutions in Europe. The repertoire of the ensemble focuses mainly on works of the 17th and 18th centuries. Depending on the requirements of the program, the ensemble consists of three to 30 instrumentalists.

Il Giardino Armonico is regularly invited to festivals all over the world, performing in the most important concert halls, and received the highest acclaim for both their concerts and their staged opera productions, like Monteverdi’s Orfeo, Händel’s Agrippina, Il Trionfo del Tempo del Disinganno and La Resurrezione, Vivaldi’s Ottone in Villa, as well as Handel’s opera Giulio Cesare in Egitto at the Salzburger Festspiele and Pfingstfestival in 2012.

The most recent projects include the recording of Haydn’s The Creation in collaboration with the Bavarian Radio Chorus, published by Alpha Classic in October 2020.

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„That was an unforgettable evening.“

Opera, 23 March 2023

„The clarity of the orchestration is made transparent and gleaming by the soloists of Il Giardino Armonico, who also make the most of every joke or surprise.“

The Guardian, 19 June 2021

„De la très belle ouvrage.“

Diapason d’Or, April 2021

PROJECTS 2027/28 – A SELECTION

–Il Giardino Armonico press photo 1

9 – 20 February, 5 – 16 April, 20 August – 10 September, 24 October – 5 November 2028
THE FOUR SEASONS
Isabelle Faust, violin / Giovanni Antonini, conductor

A. Vivaldi: Violin concertos op. 8 no. 1 – 4 „The four seasons“

Isabelle Faust © Felix Broede

DOWNLOADS

–Il Giardino Armonico press photo 2

–Il Giardino Armonico press photo 3

–Il Giardino Armonico press photo 4

–Il Giardino Armonico press photo 5

–Biography Giovanni Antonini (PDF)

–Projects overview 2027/28 (PDF)

PAST CONCERTS – A SELECTION

06 March 2023, Konzerthaus Berlin / 07 March 2023, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg
VIVALDI – HAYDN
Fatma Said, soprano / Giovanni Antonini, conductor

A. Vivaldi: Concerto per archi in e minor RV 134 / Sinfonia in b minor “al Santo sepolcro” RV 169
C. Monteverdi: Lamento di Arianna
D. Castello: Sonata decimasesta a quattro in Do
A. Vivaldi: Gelido in ogni vena (10′), Gelosia
P. A. Locatelli: Concerto grosso “Il Pianto di Arianna”
J. Haydn: Arianna a Naxos

IGA & Fatma Said © Sebastian-Madej/Deutsche Klassik

10 + 11 May 2019, Herkulessaal der Residenz, München / 13 May 2019, Mozartfest Augsburg / 14 May 2019, Konzerthaus Wien / 23 June 2019, Soli Deo Gloria – Braunschweig Festival / 28 June 2019, Rheingau Musik Festival
THE CREATION
Anna Lucia Richter, soprano / Maximilian Schmitt, tenor / Florian Boesch, bass baritone / Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks / Giovanni Antonini, conductor

J. Haydn: The Creation Hob. XXI:2

26. + 7. August 2018
SERPENT & FIRE
Anna Prohaska, soprano / Giovanni Antonini, conductor

Works by H. Purcell, C. Graupner, A. Sartorio u.a.

Freiburger Barockorchester

The Freiburg Baroque Orchestra looks back on a success story lasting almost thirty years and is a popular guest at the most important concert halls and opera houses. A glance at the ensemble’s concert calendar shows a diverse repertoire played at a variety of venues, ranging from the Baroque to the musical present and from Freiburg to the Far East. The Freiburgers’ artistic credo, however, remains unchanged: the creative curiosity of each of them, with the intention of playing a composition in as lively and as expressive a manner as possible.

Under the artistic directorship of Gottfried von der Goltz and Kristian Bezuidenhout, and under the baton of selected conductors, the FBO presents it-self with about one hundred performances per year in a variety of formations from chamber to opera orchestra: a self-administrated ensemble with its own subscription concerts at Freiburg’s Concert Hall, Stuttgart’s Liederhalle, and Berlin’s Philharmonie and with tours all over the world.

Andreas Richter Cultural Consulting represents the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra in Asia, Great Britain, Germany and neighboring countries on request.

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PRESS

„This is an opportunity to experience and savour some exhilarating music and witness some spectacular performances.“

stagewhisperes.com, 27 March 2025

„What’s not to like? That this two-hour concert was over all too soon.“

Limelight, 27 March 2025

„What a wonderful gift for these challenging times!“

Limelight, 13 March 2020

SELECTION OF PROJECTS 2026/27

28 August – 6 September 2026
SCHUMANN

The Freiburg Baroque Orchestra has played a significant role in shaping European music history over the past 40 years, often by launching extraordinary concert and opera projects in collaboration with internationally renowned partners. Among them are Isabelle Faust and Sir Simon Rattle, with whom the FBO will delve into the romantic sound world of Robert Schumann in the summer of 2026.

Isabelle Faust, violin / Sir Simon Rattle, conductor

R. Schumann: Ouvertüre zu „Genoveva“ op. 81 / Violinkonzert in D minor WoO 1 / Symphony no. 2 in C major op. 61

DOWNLOADS

–Freiburger Barockorchester press photo 1

–Freiburger Barockorchester press photo 2

–Freiburger Barockorchester press photo 3

–Freiburger Barockorchester press photo 4

–Freiburger Barockorchester press photo 5

–Freiburger Barockorchester press photo 6

–Freiburger Barockorchester press photo 7