Newsletter - June 2026
The past few weeks with Il Gardellino
In May, Il Gardellino concluded a lively period of concerts with the third edition of its festival in Tonnerre, followed by a performance at the Days of Early Music in Regensburg.From 14 to 17 May, the 3rd Il Gardellino Festival in Tonnerre brought together solo harpsichord, duo repertoire, chamber music and a final moment of transmission with young musicians. This year’s special guest was Skip Sempé, who opened the festival with a recital devoted to Byrd, Gibbons, Chambonnières and Louis Couperin. The following programme, Du cœur et de la raison, brought him together with Joanna Huszcza around Bach and Couperin, while the chamber concert with Il Gardellino continued the dialogue between Bach, Leclair and Couperin. The festival closed on Sunday with the young cellists of the masterclass led by Ira Givol.
A few days later, on 23 May, Il Gardellino travelled to Regensburg for the Days of Early Music, performing at Trinity Church with the reconstructed Passion Oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach under the musical direction of Alexander Grychtolik. Composed for Good Friday 1725 and preserved only in fragments, the work was completed by Grychtolik on the basis of Picander’s surviving text.Together, Tonnerre and Regensburg marked two different but connected moments: an intimate festival shaped by chamber music, exchange and transmission, and a major Bach reconstruction project presented at one of Europe’s leading early music festivals.
Christoph Graupner: Sinfonias featured on Radio Klara
We are delighted to share that Christoph Graupner: Sinfonias, the new double album by Il Gardellino under the direction of Florian Heyerick, was recently featured on Radio Klara.The programme presented Graupner as a fascinating contemporary of Telemann and Bach, and highlighted this new recording of his orchestral music, including sinfonias and overtures that reveal the richness, variety and distinctive character of his writing.Several works on the album were recorded for the very first time, opening a rarely heard sound world between the late Baroque and the emerging Classical style.Listen to the Radio Klara feature via the link, or discover the album on your preferred platform.
Season closing concert at The Concertgebouw Amsterdam
On Sunday 14 June, Il Gardellino will close the season with a one-off concert at The Concertgebouw Amsterdam, together with countertenor Alexander Chance and soprano Emöke Baráth.
The programme brings together Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and three works by Vivaldi: Sinfonia al Santo Sepolcro, Nisi Dominus and Nulla in Mundo.The concert also marks the 30th anniversary of Fred Luiten Concertorganisatie, the independent concert organiser behind the Barok Vocaal series.
Thirty years ago, the series began with a recital by countertenor Michael Chance in the Kleine Zaal of The Concertgebouw. In that same first season, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater was also part of the programme. Now, three decades later, the music returns in a new constellation, with Alexander Chance, Michael Chance’s son, and Emöke Baráth.
June 14th- The Concertgebouw Amsterdam, 15:00
Il Gardellino
Korneel Bernolet – musical direction and harpsichord
Emöke Baráth – soprano
Alexander Chance – countertenor
Programme:
Pergolesi: Stabat Mater; Vivaldi: Sinfonia al Santo Sepolcro, Nisi Dominus, Nulla in Mundo
Readers of this newsletter can reserve tickets for the special price of €15, including cloakroom and drinks before the concert and during the interval.
More information and reservations via Barok Vocaal.
Reminder: Il Gardellino Orchestra Workshop for Amateur Musicians
From 8 to 13 February 2027, Il Gardellino will host its first orchestra workshop for amateur musicians at AMUZ, Antwerp.
Under the artistic direction of Marcel Ponseele, participants will take part in orchestral rehearsals and receive coaching from musicians of Il Gardellino, with a focus on historically informed performance and Baroque repertoire.The workshop is open to amateur musicians of all ages with a good command of their instrument and a strong interest in early music. Previous experience with historical performance is welcome, but not required.
The repertoire will include orchestral music by Telemann, Bach, Handel and other Baroque composers.
The week will conclude with a public concert at AMUZ on 13 February 2027.
Dates: 8–13 February 2027
Location: AMUZ, Antwerp
Direction: Marcel Ponseele
Final concert: 13 February 2027
Participation fee: €300, accommodation and meals not included
Application deadline: 1 November 2026
As places are limited, interested musicians are encouraged to apply in time.For further details and registration, please contact: education@ilgardellino.be
Sill available on ARTE TV
We would like to remind you that Bach: Passion Oratorio with Il Gardellino is still available to watch on ARTE until 26 June 2026.This reconstruction of a forgotten Passion oratorio attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach was presented on ARTE Concert, with Alexander Grychtolik and Il Gardellino.
Watch the full concert in the ARTE media library.
Il Gardellino track of the month
by Joanna Huszcza
Johann Sebastian Bach – I. Allegro
from Bach: Concertos with Flute
🎧 Listen here:
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