THE GEMER and Spiš culture centres have announced their forthcoming programme for the third annual international festival of historical music of European regions, Ars Antiqua Europae 2004. The events will run from September 24 to 27 as part of the European Heritage Days festival.
Domini Scepusii, or the Lord of Spiš, will open the festival at 15:30 on September 24 with a fencing display at the main square in Štítnik. This will be followed by a lecture on historical sites along the Gothic route, culminating with a concert of period music at the Evangelical Church. Performers will include the Czech cembalist Martin Jakubíček and singer Vladimír Richter, and the Polish male choir Gloria.
Sunday will begin at 10:00 with the narration of ballads and a music performance by Fortua Musica at the Krásna Hôrka castle, followed by an organ concert delivered by the Czech musician Irena Chřibková. The massive ruins of Spiš Castle will be the centre for a vocal-instrumental evening hosting Camerata Comeniana Bratislavensis and Fortuna Musica at 13:30. Levoča's St Jacob's Church will offer a tour and an organ concert by Katarína Hanzelová starting at 16:30.
Sunday will see concerts taking place in Spišské Vlachy and Markušovce, as will on Monday in Rožňava's Evangelical Church and Betliar Manor House. Among the performers will be Bratislava's Greek-Catholic church choir Chrysostomos, the Erkel Ferenc Mixed Choir from Hungary, and the solist František Balún from the Košice State Theatre.
20. Sep 2004 at 0:00 | Prepared by Spectator staff