Events

Pierre Derhet, tenor
Maxime Melnik, tenor
Julius Drake, piano
Sophie Daneman, staging

Melodies by Vaughan Williams, Britten, Bernstein, Weill

Two artists who are complete opposites take the same road: that of the journey towards the unknown. From the English tradition, carried by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Benjamin Britten, Ivor Gurney and Roger Quilter, to the more eclectic repertoires that extend their echoes, their worlds intersect, confront each other and end up in dialogue.

At the heart of the program, Songs of Travel, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ emblematic cycle on poems by Robert Louis Stevenson, becomes the point of convergence of these trajectories. A real initiatory journey unfolds: an inner journey where wandering, memory and the quest for oneself are mixed.

Carried by the complicity of Pierre Derhet and Maxime Melnik — associate artists of the Festivals de Wallonie 2026 — this show comes to life under the fingers of pianist Julius Drake, a major figure in international vocal accompaniment, guest of the greatest stages and partner of many renowned singers. Sophie Daneman’s staging brings a sensitive dimension and a narrative thread.

In resonance with the theme “Travels” of the 2026 season, this program explores the multiple paths—geographical, poetic, and interior—that shape all existence.

Pierre Derhet, tenor
Maxime Melnik, tenor
Julius Drake, piano
Sophie Daneman, staging

Melodies by Vaughan Williams, Britten, Bernstein, Weill

Two artists who are complete opposites take the same road: that of the journey towards the unknown. From the English tradition, carried by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Benjamin Britten, Ivor Gurney and Roger Quilter, to the more eclectic repertoires that extend their echoes, their worlds intersect, confront each other and end up in dialogue.

At the heart of the program, Songs of Travel, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ emblematic cycle on poems by Robert Louis Stevenson, becomes the point of convergence of these trajectories. A real initiatory journey unfolds: an inner journey where wandering, memory and the quest for oneself are mixed.

Carried by the complicity of Pierre Derhet and Maxime Melnik — associate artists of the Festivals de Wallonie 2026 — this show comes to life under the fingers of pianist Julius Drake, a major figure in international vocal accompaniment, guest of the greatest stages and partner of many renowned singers. Sophie Daneman’s staging brings a sensitive dimension and a narrative thread.

In resonance with the theme “Travels” of the 2026 season, this program explores the multiple paths—geographical, poetic, and interior—that shape all existence.

Julia Kleiter, soprano
Julian Prégardien, tenor
Julius Drake, piano

Programme

Johannes Brahms
“Vergebliches Ständchen”, op. 84/4
Ein Sonett
Nachtigall, op. 97/1
“Wie rafft ich mich auf”, op. 32/1
“Feldeinsamkeit”, op. 86/2
“Unbewegte laue Luft”, op. 57/8
“Sommerabend”, op. 85/1
“Mondschein”, op. 85/2
“Verzagen”, op. 72/4
“Liebestreu”, op. 3/1
“Sapphische Ode”, op. 94/4
“Mädchenlied”, op. 107/5
“Der Tod, das ist die kühle Nacht”, op. 96/1
“Geheimnis”, op. 71/3
“Von ewiger Liebe”, op. 43/1

– Intermission –

Volkslieder
Johannes Brahms
Erlaube mir, feins Mädchen, WoO 33/2
Ach, englische Schäferin
Du mein einzig Licht, WoO 33/37
Gunhilde, WoO 33/7
“Es war eine schöne Jüdin”
“In stiller Nacht”, WoO 33/42
“Schwesterlein”, WoO 33/15
Es steht ein Lind, WoO 33/41
Johannes Brahms
Intermezzo E-Dur, op. 117
Volkslieder
Johannes Brahms
“Verstohlen geht der Mond auf”
“Es ging ein Maidlein zarte”
Wach auf, mein Herzensschöne, WoO
“Ich weiß mir ´n Maidlein”
Da unten im Tale, WoO 33/6
“Es war ein Markgraf überm Rhein”
Es wohnet ein Fiedler zu Frankfurt am Main, WoO 33/36

Ende ca. 21:45 Uhr

Alice Coote, Mezzo-soprano
Julius Drake, piano

Is it necessary to distinguish between the great songs of classical and popular music, to imply that they have fundamentally different qualities? Alice Coote and Julius Drake think not, and in this gently provocative recital these two world-renowned artists present a seamless sequence of songs that encompasses David Bowie, Henry Purcell, Jacques Brel, K.D. Lang, Mahler, Mozart, Lennon & McCartney, and more, in original versions and new arrangements. Alice Coote describes how ‘we have tried to juxtapose works that say some of the things that we possibly all feel, irrespective of “genre”.’ This programme has been heard at venues including Wigmore Hall and the Boulez Saal in Berlin, to rapturous receptions.

Christian Immler, Baritone
Julius Drake, piano

Leoš Janáček, Author
Julius Zeyer, Libretto
Dominik Pernica, Musical Preparation, Conductor
Jiří Heřman, Director
Dragan Stojčevski, Set and Costume design
Martin Buchta, Chorus Master
Jiří Heřman, Lighting design
Patricie Částková, Dramaturgy

Daniel Kfelíř, Přemysl Bar
Nicky Spence, Ctirad Ten
Eliška Gattringerová – J.H., Šárka Sop
Ondřej Koplík, Lumír Ten
Julius Drake, Pianist

Who has the right to rule? Does it belong to men or women? Princess Libuše ruled together with Přemysl, but after her death, women are ignominiously banished from the council, and the right to rule is claimed exclusively by men. However, the women, led by Vlasta, do not intend to put up with this and decide to claim their rights by force. They set a trap for the men, led by Ctirad, but their straightforward plan becomes unexpectedly complicated…

The first premiere of the season in a festival year is traditionally connected with a new production of a work by Leoš Janáček. This time, it will be an unconventional project. The motto of the 10th edition of the festival is “Roots,” and our contribution, in the form of the Maestro’s first opera, Šárka, points exactly to them. Not at the Janáček Theatre, however, but in the form of a site-specific project that will take us to the Besední dům, a venue deeply connected with Janáček’s influence on Brno’s cultural life.
The opera Šárka exists in two versions – from 1887–1888, when Janáček finished the work only in a piano score, and from 1925, in a revised and orchestrated version. Both versions will be performed at the festival, but director Jiří Heřman has chosen the first for his project to bring the audience in the spaces of the Besední dům right into the middle of the dramatic clash between men and women, which culminates in an unexpected tragedy.
The piano part will be performed by the outstanding British pianist Julius Drake, the role of Ctirad will be sung by British tenor Nicky Spence, and soprano Eliška Gattringerová will take on the role of Šárka.
Janáček set this version aside and forgot about it, but today the piano version offers valuable insight into his compositional style. Despite the apparent romantic influence, one can already feel his profound sense of drama and theater – a power that remains impressive and highly relevant today.