Festival The Art of Song Maastricht

The new song festival The Art of Song Maastricht presents top-level concerts and an international masterclass for vocal-piano duos. The opening concert is entirely devoted to Franz Schubert and his circle of friends, poets, composers and artists who inspired him and with whom he organised the intimate Schubertiades.

The celebrated German bass-baritone Ulf Bästlein and the renowned British pianist Charles Spencer, together with baritone Vincent Kusters, present a specially compiled programme on the theme of Schubert im Freundeskreis. As a doctor of German studies, Bästlein approaches song with a unique combination of scholarly depth and vocal expression, making him one of the most respected interpreters of song. Spencer is known for his exceptional musicality and refined sensitivity to text, and has accompanied legendary singers.

The selected songs illuminate Schubert's musical world from within. The result is a poetic and intimate portrait of a unique musical community – kindred spirits who found each other in music, art and friendship. Together they laid the foundations for what we now call the art song.