A Mighty Fortress

The Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648) marks one of the darkest chapters in German history. War and disease also claimed innumerable lives in Münden. Yet the Hanseatic cities of Hamburg and Lübeck, protected by their neutrality and fortified defenses, largely escaped the devastation. In these cities, a rich and vibrant musical life continued to flourish. In this concert, the European Hanseatic Ensemble, under the direction of Manfred Cordes, brings to life the string-dominated music of Lübeck from this era. With a twelve-member ensemble including Veronika Skuplik (violin) and Hille Perl (viola da gamba), virtuosic and deeply expressive cantatas and instrumental movements by lesser-known composers of the Hanseatic period await their revival.

Experience the atmospheric alleys and impressive buildings of the medieval half-timbered town of Hann. Münden on a free city tour before the concert (in German – registration required at info@haendel-festspiele.de)).