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.

The closing concert puts the next generation centre stage. Participants in the international masterclass present a selection of songs from their own repertoire, chosen around the festival theme. The result is a varied concert featuring different voices, languages, composers and artistic personalities. Audience members who attended the public masterclasses earlier in the week can also hear how the duos have developed over the course of the festival: the culmination of an inspiring week of intensive work on the art of song.

An international jury consisting of baritone Roderick Williams, pianist Iain Burnside, soprano Mirella Hagen, pianist Doriana Tchakarova, pianist Jeroen Riemsdijk and countertenor Andrew Watts, Artistic Director of the International Vocal Competition ’s-Hertogenbosch, will assess the duos; Vincent Kusters serves as jury chair. At the end of the afternoon, the winner of the coveted Maastricht Art of Song Prize 2027 will be announced in the Sint Janskerk: a cash prize of €2,500.00 and a recital engagement at the following festival. It is the exciting finale of The Art of Song Maastricht.