8 9 Willkommen · Welcome “Laurel is a good herb For sauce chefs; For those who fancy it as a headpiece, But be assured, it stings.” Otto Julius Bierbaum wrote this almost 100 years ago in an inimitable tone, and thus brings us directly into the thematic world of this year’s Göttingen International Handel Festival: to the laurels one receives, on which one can rest, or which adorn the heads of prominent figures in the form of the famous wreath. The laurel has played an important role in various cultures and traditions since ancient times. It is a symbol of fame and honour, of success and greatness, and also of the arts in general. In ancient culture, laurel wreaths became a symbol of victory, honour and art. Not only successful warriors, but also emperors and outstanding personalities of cultural life received wreaths on their heads – a custom that can be found in various domains throughout the centuries. Of course, where there is success and glory, there is a darker side, as Bierbaum points out – the downfall of great rulers who often turned into tyrants, or the dialectic of success and failure that can be seen in the history of music and its literature. For every head with a laurel wreath there is one without, and for every laurel wreath there are not only those who wear it, but also those who wish to bestow it – namely you, the audience. This year’s Göttingen Handel Festival will explore these ideas and present a colourful program revolving around power and glory, honours and the darker sides associated with them – with names both familiar and not so familiar. They all have one thing in common, however: they have already earned their laurels. The Festival Opera Tamerlano and the Oratorio Solomon, often associated with these themes, take center stage. While in Solomon, for example, power is used for positive purposes, in Tamerlano its abuse is close at hand. Under the direction of Rosetta Cucchi, we will experience the dark side with singers such as Lawrenze Zazzo as Tamerlano, but also the wisdom of Solomon together with the NDR Vokalensemble at the opening concert of the Festival. With Ann Hallenberg as a guest star, the Gala will round off the series of joint concerts with the FestspielOrchester Göttingen. The Capella de la Torre dedicates its children’s concert to William Shakespeare, one of the most crowned heads, who is honoured with a laurel wreath in numerous paintings or statues – something that could also be granted to Ernst Christian Hesse, the important gambist of the 17th century (concert with Los Otros) and Alessandro Scarlatti, who died exactly 300 years ago and will be commemorated in an anniversary concert featuring Mayumi Hirasaki, Christoph Dangel and Kristian Bezuidenhout, among others. And in the end we also present Nicholas McGegan, the long-standing Artistic Director of the Göttingen International Handel Festival, with a laurel wreath – on the occasion of his 75th birthday, which we will celebrate with an anniversary concert. A warm welcome to all! Jochen Schäfsmeier George Petrou Managing Director Artistic Director Laurel is a good herb
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