A Schubertiade is a concert or music festival celebrating the music of Franz Peter Schubert, a prominent Austrian composer of the late Classical and early Romantic eras. The history of Schubertiades dates back to Schubert’s lifetime (the early 19th century); those early Schubertiades were held in Vienna and were usually sponsored by the composer’s wealthy friends or aficionados of his music such as Ignaz von Sonnleithner, Franz von Schober, and Eduard von Bauernfeld.
The tradition continued after Schubert’s untimely death in 1828. Over time, Schubertiades have evolved from small informal gatherings to formal concerts and festivals, just like appreciation of Schubert’s music, which was limited to a relatively small circle of his friends and admirers during the composer’s lifetime, has increased greatly since his death. The Schubertiade Vorarlberg is one of the biggest and best know Schubertiades in the world.
The inaugural Schubertiade Vorarlberg was organized in Hohenems, Vorarlberg by German opera singer Hermann Prey, who was widely recognized as a gifted interpreter of Schubert’s songs. It opened on May 8, 1976 with a recital by Prey, accompanied by American pianist Leonard Hokanson. Prey chose Hohenems as the site of the festival because he had participated in the concert series organized in Hohenems by the Mozart Community Vorarlberg; he liked the venue and had the necessary connections to stage an event dedicated to Schubert’s life and music.
Since its inception, the Schubertiade Vorarlberg has become widely recognized as the world’s most distinguished Schubert festival, as well as one of the most important showcases of chamber music and lieder-singing. It is a beloved meeting place for Schubert interpreters and enthusiasts from around the globe, as well as music lovers from Vorarlberg.
The Schubertiade Vorarlberg usually starts in May and runs until October. It is a series of about 80 chamber concerts, piano and lieder recitals, lectures, and workshops given by singers and musicians from around the world. Festival events are held at two main venues: the Markus Sittikus Hall in Hohenems, seating nearly 300 people, and the Angelika Kauffmann Hall in Schwarzenberg with a capacity of 600 people. The Schubertiade features both renowned artists and up-and-coming musicians who get a chance to perform in front of a knowledgeable and supportive audience.
Every year, the Schubertiade Vorarlberg draws between 35,000 and 40,000 visitors over six months. In addition to concerts and other events that make up the festival program, they can attend several museums and exhibitions located in the Schubertiade Quarter in Hohenems: the Franz Schubert Museum, the Schubertiade Museum, the Elizabeth Schwarzkopf Museum at Villa Rosenthal, the Legge Museum, the Solomon Sulzer Gallery at Villa Rosenthal, the Stefan Zweig Room at the Legge Museum, the Nibelungen Museum, and the Shoemaker Museum.
Photo: schubertiade.at
