Rarities by Vivaldi

For Italian flair with captivating music, the Innsbruck Festival of Early Music features the most famous composer of the Baroque era, Antonio Vivaldi.

He takes center stage in the summer programme. After 14 years as artistic director, Alessandro De Marchi embarks on his final festival season. True to this year's theme of "Paths," he invites you to join him and outstanding artists from the early music scene on a journey. Three scenic productions by the Italian master will be the highlights: "Olimpiade," "Juditha triumphans," and "La fida ninfa."

A musical gem of unmatched drama is Vivaldi's only surviving oratorio, "Juditha triumphans." The plot could outshine many contemporary crime stories. The story of the biblical Book of Judith is widely known. The heroine Judith exhibits the qualities of a trickster, while Holofernes, the true villain, transforms from a warlord to a deceived lover, ultimately beheaded by Judith. Audience favorite Sophie Rennert takes on the role of the villainous heroine. The all-female cast is led by artistic director Alessandro De Marchi.

In "Olimpiade," the Tiroler Landestheater becomes the venue for Olympic Games, where countertenors Bejun Mehta and Raffaele Pe compete in a musical-sporting contest. Celebrated artists such as soprano Bruno de Sà, alto Margherita Maria Sala, and the Innsbruck Festival Orchestra under the musical direction of Alessandro De Marchi witness the competition. At the center of it all is a love affair filled with intrigue.

In search of love and happiness, the finalists of the Cesti Competition take part in the production of the Baroque opera:Jung "La fida ninfa." Will they find it in the end?
Visit the Innsbruck Festival and discover it!