Festival of sacred arts

FESTIVAL OF SACRED ARTS
August 14th -23rd 2015

IN HALLGRIMSKIRKJA REYKJAVIK

Friday August 14th 12.15 pm & 5 pm

KING SOLOMON: A MICROFORUM
12.15−1.45 pm The microforum, consisting of three microlectures in Icelandic, takes place in relation with the performance of Handel’s oratorio Solomon at the Festival of Sacred Arts 2015. Free admittance.

OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL

5 pm Opening of a new arts exhibition by the Icelandic artist Helgi Thorgils Fridjonsson, Baroque group-dancing to music by Handel, The Hague International Baroque Orchestra and the Hallgrimskirkja Motet Choir perform, conductor is Hordur Askelsson. Free admittance.

Saturday August 15th 7 pm
Sunday August 16th 4 pm

SOLOMON by G. F. Handel
Oratorio in three acts

Performers:

Robin Blaze countertenor, Solomon.

Thora Einarsdottir soprano, Solomon’s queen and first woman.

Sigridur Osk Kristjansdottir mezzosoprano, Queen of Sheba and second woman.

Benedikt Kristjansson tenor, High priest Zadoc and messenger.

Oddur Arnthor Jonsson bass, Levite.

The Hallgrimskirkja Motet Choir.

The Hague International Baroque Orchestra, lead by Tuomo Suni, Finland.

Conductor: Hordur Askelsson

Sunday August 16th 11 pm

HIGH MASS

A festive mass with Schola Cantorum chamber choir of Hallgrimskirkja and The Hague International Baroque Orchestra. Conductor Hordur Askelsson.

Monday August 17th 9 pm

NEW DIMENSIONS OF THE KLAIS ORGAN

Young electronic musicians explore the magnificent Klais organ, using it’s new technological equipment and it’s 5273 pipes to create a musical experience.

Tuesday August 18th 8 pm

BAROQUE CONCERT- “HANDEL AT HOME”

The celebrated Icelandic baroque group Nordic affect with Ian Wilson flutist from London, Tuomu Suni violinist from Finland and three Icelandic singers.

A program showing a more subtle side of the composer G.F. Handel, as opposed to the magnificence of the oratorio Solomon.

Wednesday August 19th  12–12.30 noon

LUNCHTIME CONCERT – HEAR HEAVEN’S MAKER
Schola Cantorum chamber choir of Hallgrimskirkja sings old and new Icelandic choir music with a folksong flavour. Conductor: Hordur Askelsson.

Thursday August 20th 8 & 10 pm

DOUBLE CONCERT WITH OLIVIER LATRY ORGANIST OF NOTRE DAME, PARIS
8 pm The world famous concert organist, Olivier Latry, organist at Notre Dame in Paris,
plays a solo recital.

Le Sacré des Printemps
10 pm Olivier Latry plays a four-handed version of Stravinsky’s Le Sacré des Printemps along with his wife Shin-Young Lee.

Friday August 21st  5pm & 8 pm

KING’S MEN CAMBRIDGE
5 pm Evensong with King’s Men.

8 pm Concert with King’s Men.
The King’s Men sing a varied program, conducted by Stephen Cleobury, renowned conductor of King’s College Choir, Cambridge.

Saturday August 22nd 3−9 pm

REYKJAVÍK CULTURAL NIGHT – FEAST OF HYMNS
Various Icelandic and foreign choirs and soloists, electronic artists and more, including King’s Men Cambridge, Schola cantorum and the Hallgrimskirkja Motet Choir.
Amongst other a premiere of 5 new psalms by 10 Icelandic women composers and poets as part of the 100 years celebrations of Icelandic women voting rights this year.

Sunday August 23rd 11 am and 17 pm

HIGH MASS
11 am The bishop of Iceland Agnes M. Sigurdardottir, King’s Men conducted by Stephen Cleobury and the Hallgrimskirkja Motet Choir conducted by Hordur Askelsson.

FINAL CONCERT – DEO DICAMUS GRATIAS
5 pm Chamber choir Schola Cantorum, conductor Horður Askelsson.
Amongst other Miserere by Allegri and a premiére of Missa semplice for solo soprano, harp and mixed choir by John A. Speight.