Festival The Art of Song Maastricht

From 23 to 28 February 2027, Maastricht will once again be devoted to the art of song during The Art of Song Maastricht. The festival brings together leading international musicians and emerging young talent in the historic heart of the city. Under the theme Pilgrimage of Song, song is approached as a journey through languages, cultures and generations: from poet to composer, from score to performer and ultimately to you, the listener. Themes such as travelling, longing, the search for love and melancholic memories return again and again. Join us on this musical pilgrimage through special historic venues around the Vrijthof.

Baritone Ferdinand Krumbügel and pianist Sofi Simeonidis were unanimously selected as the first winners of the Maastricht Art of Song Prize in 2026. Since then, the duo has continued its rapid development: in October 2026, they won second prize, the audience prize and the special prize for the best performance of the contemporary compulsory work at the International Brahms Competition in Austria. They now return to Maastricht with a full recital of their own, devised around the festival theme. Hear this young song duo at an exciting moment as an international breakthrough begins to take shape.

Before the concert, masterclass teachers baritone Roderick Williams and pianist Iain Burnside join artistic director Vincent Kusters in conversation about the future of art song, the essence of song interpretation and their experiences on the concert platform. What makes someone a convincing interpreter of song? What was really at stake during the masterclasses? What roles do tradition, personality and authenticity play? The conversation offers visitors without specialist knowledge an insight into the craftsmanship behind a song recital and makes it possible to listen to the concert that follows with fresh ears.