Romantic Fest 19 - 24 May 2025

The early 19th century marks a fascinating chapter in music history: a time of great change, where the elegant balance of the Classical era began to give way to the emotional depth of Romanticism. The refined language of Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven intertwines with with the voices of a new generation, as musician-craftsmen pushed the boundaries of expression to explore the depths of nature and the human soul.

To explore this moment of transition, we’re focusing on three key figures: Carl Maria von Weber and Louis Spohr – known today for their virtuosic solo concertos, though both were also outstanding opera composers – and Gioachino Rossini, one of the most prolific and influential opera composers of the era, frequently criticised but impossible to ignore, and widely imitated. Guided by our mentor Lorenzo Coppola and playing on period instruments, we’ll explore the soundworld of early Romanticism to discover what connected these three composers and how their music mirrored the changing world around them.