It’s festival season in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The celebrations begin on June 9 in Echternach with violinist and 2017 artist-in-residence Daniel Hope, who opens the International Festival Echternach with a concert followed by a master class on June 10. The Echternach programme also features pianist Igor Levit; the Orchestre Symphonique de l’École de Musique Régionale Echternach conducted by George Letellier; the Tonart Orchester Düsseldorf led by Barbara Sieks; soprano Mojca Erdmann; the Delian Quartett; pianist Sabine Weyer; and family-focused events such as Jazz for Kids and the animated film The Teachers.
On June 28 the Festival de Wiltz begins its 2017 season. Since its founding in 1953, the festival has welcomed leading actors and musicians to perform on the outdoor stage set before the picturesque Wiltz castle. This year’s programme offers a diverse mix of music and theatre: Danish singer-songwriter Agnes Obel; Voyage Musical: Du Nil à l’Oural, a programme spanning repertoire from Verdi to Abba; Theater Lichtermeer’s adaptation of Das Dschungelbuch (The Jungle Book); saxophonist Maxime Bender; a Flamenco Dance Company production of Bizet’s Carmen; Prague’s Losers Cirque Company; and a special four-concert series featuring Jose Gonzalez, Dillon, Monophona and Joy Wellboy.
The Wiltz venue is praised for its excellent acoustics, and the covered seating and performance area include a retractable roof to ensure shows can proceed despite inclement weather. Together, the Echternach and Wiltz festivals present a rich blend of classical music, contemporary songwriting, dance, theatre and family entertainment, reflecting Luxembourg’s vibrant summer cultural calendar.