New Concert Series in the Hannover Vacation Region

World-class Baroque music and late-medieval frescoes: A new concert series titled “BellaBarock” kicks off on January 31 at the magnificent St. Agatha Church in Leveste, a neighborhood of Gehrden. The event is supported by Hannover Marketing und Tourismus GmbH (HMTG), Sparkasse Hannover, the Region Hannover, and the Stiftung Heimat Niedersachsen. The series was initiated by baroque oboist Eva Endel. “We’d like to invite people to enjoy very special auditory and visual experiences in the beautiful setting of this 786-year-old chapel,” explains Endel.
Visitors to the three concerts currently planned—on January 31, February 21, and April 25, each at 6 p.m.—can look forward to nationally and internationally acclaimed ensembles, impressive vaulted ceilings, and late-medieval frescoes. In various ensemble configurations, the musicians will perform Baroque chamber music on historical instruments, with a focus on wind chamber music.

“St. Agatha Church is a truly special gem that many people are still unaware of. Drawing visitors’ attention to the treasures in the Hannover vacation region while offering top-notch cultural experiences is an idea we are happy to support,” says Hans Christian Nolte, managing director of Hannover Marketing und Tourismus GmbH.

To promote the concert series throughout the region, the HMTG designed flyers and distributed 15,000 copies in cafés, restaurants, bars, shops, and local cultural institutions in the state capital and other municipalities in the region. In addition, 24,000 postcards and posters, as well as articles on www.hannover.de/urlaubsregion, are drawing attention to “BellaBarock.”.

A sacred gem: St. Agatha Church

St. Agatha Church, built in 1229, celebrates its 786th anniversary in 2015. It was constructed in the transitional style of the first half of the 13th century. The Gothic frescoes in the choir and the organ vault date from the 15th century, while the frescoes in the nave are dated to the period between 1370 and 1430. Anyone looking up at the church’s vault will see four holy martyrs with their retinue. In the choir, one gains an impression of the Christian worldview of that era and its clear dualism of heaven and hell, as well as Christ as the savior of the world. Later, the images were painted over with white paint. Thanks to this overpainting, the works of art have been largely preserved in their original condition. In 1924, the overpainted frescoes were discovered and uncovered. Today, the portraits are of great significance to scholars, film directors, actors, and costume designers because they faithfully depict the fashion of the time around 1400.

The concerts

“Father and Son,” Jan. 31, 2015 | Concert starts at 6:00 p.m., duration: 1 hour

Wilbert Hazelzet (traverso) and Pieter-Jan Belder (harpsichord) are two Dutch artists who are in high demand on the international Baroque scene and are usually at home in Europe’s major concert halls. Nevertheless, they appreciate the charm of a special venue and are looking forward to the wonderful atmosphere at St. Agatha Church. The tonal diversity and sophistication of these two outstanding musicians make for a truly special listening experience. On January 31, they will perform works by Johann Sebastian Bach and his son Carl Philipp Emanuel.

“la festa musicale,” Feb. 21, 2015 | Concert starts at 6:00 p.m., duration: 1 hour

At “la festa musicale,” the focus is on the joy of playing and virtuosity. And that is exactly what this young ensemble from northern Germany embodies. It performs not only with a full orchestra but also frequently seeks out more intimate settings that allow it to fully explore the immense treasure trove of Baroque chamber music. Anne Marie Harer (baroque violin), Eva Endel (baroque oboe), Christoph Harer (baroque cello), and Renate Meyerhöfer-Bratschke (harpsichord) have chosen Georg Philipp Telemann, whose works are still too rarely performed in such a colorful ensemble. Together with Arcangelo Corelli’s “La Follia” and the charming trios by the Catalan brothers Juan and José Pla, visitors can look forward to a dazzling display of Baroque artistry.

“Concert Royal,” April 25, 2015 | Concert starts at 6:00 p.m., duration: 1 hour

The King is coming! Almost every Sunday, in fact, to the house concerts of François Couperin, who composed his “Concert Royaux” in honor of Louis XIV. As a connoisseur of the arts par excellence, Louis XIV spared no expense on his musical entertainment, thereby enabling his musicians to create a rich chamber music repertoire, from which the audience will be treated to a selection of pieces on April 25. Eva Endel (baroque oboe), Susanne Horn (viola da gamba), and Gero Parmentier (lute) will perform royal works by François Couperin, Jacques Hotteterre, François Chauvon, and Marin Marais. Visitors will be transported to the dazzling world of the French court during the time of the Sun King, with flowing ball gowns, wigs, powder, and dancing.

The concerts are free, but the Ronnenberg Church District welcomes donations. You’ll find all the details in the enclosed flyer.

Published: January 27, 2015