Styriarte in Pöllau

Grand finale with Jordi Savall and Monteverdi

Jordi Savall conducted Monteverdi's "Vespers of Mary" in Pöllau(Bild: Styriarte/Nikola Milatovic)

Jordi Savall and his ensembles bring this year's Styriarte to a close in the Pöllau parish church with Monteverdi's "Vespers of Mary". Its artistic director Mathis Huber is euphoric.

Being more than 400 years old and still sounding so beautiful - the vital forces of Monteverdi's "Vespers of the Virgin Mary", composed in 1610, are wished for in all pieces of music. Another veteran is responsible for the excellent impression the work makes at the Styriarte finale: Jordi Savall. The 82-year-old Catalan conducts his two ensembles La Capella Reial de Catalunya and Le Concert des Nations in the Pöllau parish church with venerable finesse.

The balance between choir, soloists and original sound ensemble is remarkable, insofar as the musicians create balanced emotions without highly embellished effects. The sound is crystal-clear, elevatedly sacred and yet purposefully gripping: the "Nisi dominus" flutters up as if carried by wings (a fine vocal effect!), the "Lauda Jerusalem" becomes a dizzying frenzy.

The nine soloists from the choir show individual class. In particular, the juxtaposition of the same vocal pairs reveals the attention to detail in their work: When the two tenors Ferran Mitjans and Martí Doñate set their coloraturas in contrasting degrees of sharpness in the "Duo Seraphim", for example, it becomes vividly clear what richness of expression has been preserved here through the centuries.

Hervorragende Bilanz

„Diese Styriarte ist ein Prototyp für die kommenden Jahre“

Styriarte director Mathis Huber was very satisfied with the festival that has just ended: "It was a month full of euphoria". With 29,300 tickets sold and 93% capacity utilization, the consequences of the pandemic have finally been overcome.

Mathis Huber with Alfredo Bernardini(Bild: Nikola Milatovic)

A good reason to expand the successful formats for the 40th anniversary of the Styriarte next year. For Huber, the focus remains on the interest of the audience and bringing people together works extremely well. "A festival community has even developed," he says happily.

With the second part of the Attems saga, increased cooperation with Michael Hell and big plans with Mei-Ann Chen and Alfredo Bernardini, Huber wants to continue the run. They are also working together with the Styria Show at Schloss Eggenberg. The motto of the Styriarte from June 20 to July 20, 2025 is "Space and Sound".