Orpheus — that’s the name of this new festival taking place for the first time this June in Basel (Switzerland). 
By 
In a city as rich in musical offerings as Basel, the launch of a new festival is a rare event. And yet Orpheus, whose first edition is happening this year, sets itself apart with a clear focus: placing vocal music at the centre, in a city already teeming with orchestras. Philippe Herreweghe (photo) and Collegium Vocale Gent will open the festival on June 3.
They are friends, they each lead an ensemble, and they’re both musicians actively involved in the cultural life of Basel: tenor Jakob Pilgram and baritone Tobias Wicky have joined forces to create a new festival entirely dedicated to vocal music. Orpheus aims to epitomize the vibrant local energy. “Basel has eight or nine professional orchestras,” notes Jakob Pilgram, “but in recent years, several high-quality vocal ensembles have emerged: Voces Suaves, Theleme, Larynx, and others. It was time to create an event that truly brings them visibility.”
The initial idea sprang from a twofold observation: a growing demand from the regional audience (including attendees from Alsace and southern Germany), and the lack of structural support for singers. Unlike orchestras, professional singers and vocal music in Basel receive no dedicated subsidies. “We want to show the canton and the city that a vocal scene exists — that it’s dynamic and appreciated by the public. It’s also a way of claiming political and cultural recognition,” adds Tobias Wicky.
Passionate about early music and want to read this subscriber-only article?
If you are not a subscriber, join the international Total Baroque community. Subscribe here from 5.00€.
I subscribe
If you are already a subscriber, sign in.
I sign in 
You must be logged in to be able to post comments.
Sign in