Ideally, the guests stream into the illuminated park of the upper castle and enjoy a sophisticated ope(r)n-air concert. For the ninth time, a six-person ensemble from the Frankfurt Symphony Orchestra and selected soloists will be creating an evening in the Leonhardi family park that will be remembered. Also this year, the cultural advisory board of the city of Nidderau as the organizer hopes for a bel canto gala under the starry sky and not because of bad weather alternatively in the culture and sports hall in Heldenbergen.
Nidderau – Since 2004, the “Classic under the Stars” series of events has gained more and more fans every year. “In the early years, up to 600 visitors came,” says Jürgen Reuling, chairman of the cultural advisory board. But Corona left its mark. The organizers are satisfied with 300 visitors. People have become more reserved. Up to a third fewer ticket sales than before Corona can be observed. “Nevertheless, visitors from up to 80 kilometers away are guests at the event. We have created an image that is impressive,” says Reuling.
Two-year rhythm should remain
Well-known moderator Witolf Werner was won this year. After classical training, he worked for many years as Kapellmeister at various German theaters. Until 2019 Werner was director of the stage orchestra of the Vienna State Opera. “He also moderated the Rheingau Music Festival. He knows the pieces and the musicians and moderates with charm. That’s a good combination,” says Julia Huneke, cultural officer of the city of Nidderau.
The program selected Dr. Heinz Ecker. With Maryna Zubko (soprano) and Christianne Belangér (mezzo-soprano), two excellently trained singers are starting. The program includes works by Verdi, Rossini, Bizet, Offenbach and Leoncavallo. Reuling would like to keep the two-year cycle. “The audience appreciates the park, which cannot be accessed outside of the event because it is privately owned,” he says. Von Leonhardi is strongly focused in the direction of classical and traditional music, but he is also curious to try out other cultural events. Like a theatrical performance with illumination of the park, but under the open sky.
Freiherr describes the series of events as a “stroke of luck”
Huneke and Reuling get suggestions on what could be possible in this direction at the culture exchange in Freiburg. Stations in the park, on a spacious area, illuminated and with the active participation of the public would be conceivable. Since restaurateur Christian Holle is opening a new restaurant in Bruchköbel in the former Ratsschänke, the organizers had to look for a new caterer. A new caterer was found in Lars Wolf from Wächtersbach, who looks after the restaurant in the castle and also runs the “Wolf’s Schänke”. Italian dishes, which can also be enjoyed “to go” while strolling, are on the menu.
The concert itself has the motto “Belcanto Gala” because Italian opera music is on offer. “Very soulful, romantic arias were chosen for the beautiful singing,” says Reuling. The fact that the event managed to bridge the four-year break after Corona is great, says Mayor Andreas Bär. “Classic under the stars” is one of the highlights in the cultural program. The combination of music and location makes the event unique beyond Nidderau. Alexander Freiherr von Leonhardi also speaks about the series of events as a stroke of luck. She’s well established. It is an opportunity for the family to make the listed facility available to the public for a special day and to allow people to take a walk in the park. “The architectural heritage should be close to our hearts for the coming decades,” says von Leonhardi.
No parking facilities on the grounds of the castle
The basic features of the park were laid out 200 years ago. The oldest trees are the plane trees. The events in the park started with the 150th anniversary of the fruit and horticultural association in 1989, together with the 1150th anniversary of Heldenbergen. From 1994, the Heldenbergen choir community was added. Thanks to new sponsors, additional chairs will be purchased this year. Also on board are Autohaus Staaf, the cultural summer Main-Kinzig Fulda and the Sparkassenkulturstiftung Hessen-Thüringen.
Alexander Freiherr von Leonhardi referred to the parking facilities. “There are no parking spaces here on the grounds of the palace. Therefore, public parking spaces should be used,” he explains. The Anjol vegetable market, swimming pool/school, Nidderforum and town hall are available on Konrad-Adenauer-Allee, as well as the Heldenbergen Evangelical Church and the fairground on Bahnhofsstrasse. It is not possible to park in the Action private car park and the Heldenbergen penny market.
tickets
The concert will take place on Saturday, July 16, in the Oberburg Castle Park in Heldenbergen. In case of bad weather, the event will be moved to the Kultur- und Sporthalle Heldenbergen. Entry is from 6.30 p.m. Start is at 8 p.m. The ticket costs 28 euros at the box office and 25 euros in advance. Advance booking offices: Adticket, Maritta’s flower girl in Eichen, Hartenfeller kiosk in Ostheim, the city library and the Reisestübchen in Windecken, as well as by email to kultur [email protected].
Von Georgia Lori
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