The iconic Classissimo festival will once again bring together big established names in the classical music world and talented young musicians on one of the city's most beautiful stages.
Since 2007, Classissimo has welcomed both seasoned enthusiasts and debutants by bringing a programme that can be enjoyed by people with varying levels of backgrounds in classical music.
The 17th edition of the festival will take place from Friday 4 – Thursday 10 August in Brussels' Théâtre Royal du Parc, once again aiming to draw an audience of all ages and music tastes.
This year's line-up features seven headline performances that will span classical genres from opera arias and lyrical cabaret to film soundtracks.
Showcasing Brussels talent
The event's creator Georges Dumortier has programmed seven concerts on the theme of "world classics", working alongside Belgian flutist Marc Grauwels. Talented young musicians will take to the stage every evening alongside the I Virtuosi de Waterloo string ensemble.
"This is an opportunity for Brussels artists to showcase their talent at a festival with an international reputation. It's a showcase that reflects our determination to put Brussels and its talent at the forefront of the world music scene," said Delphine Houba, City Councillor for Culture, Tourism and Major Events.
Credit: Classissimo
The seven-day event will start off with a "Classic and Folk" evening, with pianist Pierre Risopoulos taking to the stage as the "rising star" – the name used by the festival to refer to young talent. This concert aims to prove that the boundary between classical music – sometimes referred to as music for the educated – and so-called "folk" music is far from watertight.
There are even many examples of classical composers borrowing from folklore, however, it was only in the 19th century that they were clearly acknowledged. This recognition gave a new lease of life to older, more traditional compositions.
Other highlights include a Chopin recital by 15-year-old pianist Jinan Hong, an evening of music written entirely by female composers, and a trip down memory lane with Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf and emblematic Disney tunes.
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Those unable to visit the Théâtre Royal du Parc can enjoy the performances via Belgian broadcaster BX1.
Find more information and get tickets here. Tickets cost €15 when bought online or €18 when bought on the evening of the performance. A pass for all seven concerts costs €68.
