The programme for the 65th annual Festival de Wiltz has been announced, with a makeover for the annual month-long festival's website and brochures, as well as the make-up of the festival itself.

From 28 June to 23 July 2017, the outdoor festival is held in the north of the Grand Duchy, under cover of the large canopy in the shadow of the chateau. Access is by car or by train, with Festival Special train service including discount parking at Luxembourg-gare and navettes shuttling passengers up to the chateau from Wiltz gare, and back again after the performances, with the train not leaving until the performance is over.

Tickets are now on sale, with a 10% reduction for tickets to 3 events (available until 28 April), and some bundle offers available, via the festival box office, tel: 958145, or by email: festival@cooperations.lu

PROGRAMME

- Wed 28 June @ 20:00: Agnes Obel (Danish singer-song-writer)

Danish singer-songwriter and pianist Agnes Obel, who will be on tour to present her new album Citizen Of Glass, will perform at the Wiltz open air festival for the first time. The charismatic artist, with her expressive voice and breathtaking vocals, accompanied by piano and strings, will take the audience on a journey to explore her remarkable musical universe.

Tickets €35 + admin fee

- Sat 1 July @ 20:00: Voyage Musical du Nil à l'Oural (choir & orchestra)

From Verdi to ABBA - an exceptional concert featuring an orchestra, choirs from Luxembougr and the Greater Region. Musical Journey - from the Nile to the Oural: Five choirs, three soloists and an orchestra bring the audience on a great musical journey around the world. This one of a kind concert unites the singers and musicians of Luxembourg and the Greater Region in the spirit of Europe.  A diverse repertory with popular songs and melodies from different continents and periods of time are offered.  Opera melodies by Verdi and Puccini; French songs by Edith Piaf and Charles Trénet; Russian classics and also popular popsongs by the Beatles and Abba are on the programme which also includes Balkan and klezmer music.

Choirs: Chorale Sainte-Cécile de Folschette; Chœur Prélude de Maizières-lès-Metz; Chœur Amatys de Yutz; Chorale Municipale Sainte Cécile de Wiltz; Chorale La Chanterelle de Bastogne

Orchestra: Thionville Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Stéphane Siebert

Tickets €30, €25, €15 + admin fee

- Sun 2 July @ 15:00: Das Dschungelbuch, Theater Lichtermeer (An enchanting musical about Mowgli and his friends)

The Jungle Book, Rudyard Kipling’s famous story, is presented by Theater Lichtermeer live onstage at the Wiltz amphitheatre, in a fantastic new adaptation for a young audience, suitable for children from the age of six. The adventures of the boy Mowgli, who was raised by wolves in the Indian jungle, are retold through a child-friendly mix of song, dance, acting, shadow play and puppet show. A delightful musical, suitable for the whole family! In German.

Timo Riegelsberger, text, music; Jan Radermacher, concept; Robert Missler, Helge van Hove, Kim Berger, Tim Kreuer, Finja Harder, actors

Tickets €25, €20, €15 + admin fee

- Mon 3 July @ 10:00: Das Dschungelbuch, Theater Lichtermeer (An enchanting musical about Mowgli and his friends)

The Jungle Book, Rudyard Kipling’s famous story, is presented by Theater Lichtermeer live onstage at the Wiltz amphitheatre, in a fantastic new adaptation for a young audience, suitable for children from the age of six. The adventures of the boy Mowgli, who was raised by wolves in the Indian jungle, are retold through a child-friendly mix of song, dance, acting, shadow play and puppet show. A delightful musical, suitable for the whole family! In German.

Timo Riegelsberger, text, music; Jan Radermacher, concept; Robert Missler, Helge van Hove, Kim Berger, Tim Kreuer, Finja Harder, actors

Tickets (for schoolchildren, 6+) €6 + admin fee

- Thu 6 July @ 20:00: Maxime Bender, Universay Sky (jazz concert)

Saxophonist Maxime Bender’s Luxemburgish-French quartet is all about eliminating boundaries and using music to share emotions. The Maxime Bender Quartet creates a new jazz series at the Festival, offering a platform for young jazz ensembles to express themselves.  The Franco-Luxembourg quartet of saxophonist Maxime Bender eliminates borders by expressing and provoking emotions through his music.  The four musicians have worked very successfully as both leaders and sidemen on a variety of projects.  A few excerpts from their new album will be presented at this concert.

Tickets €25 + admin fee

- Fri 7 July @ 20:00: Soirée Tango, with the Luxembourg Chamber Orchestra & Jean-Guillaume Weis

In his version of Piazzolla’s “The Four Seasons” choreographer Jean-Guillaume Weis captivates the audience with a free reinterpretation of the tango. This production, in collaboration with the Luxembourg Chamber Orchestra was created for the Wiltz Festival. The first part of the evening will feature serenades by Elgar and Dvorak, the second half will be dedicated to the creator of nuevo tango, Astor Piazzolla. In his version of Piazzolla’s “The Four Seasons” choreographer Jean-Guillaume Weis captivates the audience with a free reinterpretation of the tango, drawing inspiration as much from the origins and traditions of tango as from contemporary dance. After the concert you will be invited on to the stage to put your tango skills to the test. Or you can simply listen to the music and enjoy some of the culinary specialities on offer.

Orchestre de Chambre du Luxembourg, conducted by David Reiland, with Lyonel Schmit (soloist)

Sergio Mel, Giovanni Zazzera, Aifric Ni Chaoimh, Catarina Barbosa, Baptiste Hilbert, danse. Jean-Guillaume Weis, chorégraphie.

PROGRAMME

Elgar, Sérénade pour cordes op. 20

Dvorak, Sérénade pour cordes en Mi majeur op.22

Piazzolla, Les Quatre saisons de Buenos Aires, pour violon et orchestre à cordes

Tickets €35, €30, €25 + admin fee

- Sat 8 July @ 19:30: Weeltzer Musek: Sou schmaacht Wooltz (Dinner concert)  

The Harmonie Grand-Ducale Municipale Wiltz will host a dinner concert. A range of international specialities will be available at the dinner, which is organised by several local associations. With special guests: Serge Tonnar & Legotrip.

Free entry

- Fri 14 July @ 20:00: Carmen by Bizet (opera)

A fantastic dance performance by the Flamenco Dance Company from Spain: George Bizet’s Carmen adapted as a dramatic ballet, with flamenco dancers and live music. ‘The Andalusian Flamenco Company of Seville’ will perform Carmen, one of the world’s most popular and most frequently performed opera. Flamenco dancers with colourful, eye-catching costumes, accompanied by a live band perform the famous opera. The story revolves around Carmen, a gypsy from Seville who likes to seduce men, who is happy with her freedom and does not want to commit herself. 

The story is based on a short story by Prosper Mérimée. This evening with its Spanish flair guarantees both beautiful music and great dancing.

Tickets €50, €40, €30 + admin fee

- Thu 20 July @ 20:00: Pol Belardi's Force (jazz concert)

Luxemburgish jazz artist Pol Belardi and his quartet, who have recruited a guitarist for their performance at Wiltz, are renowned for their original blend of improvisations and compositions by Belardi. The quartet around Luxembourg bassist Pol Belardi shows that there are always innovations to be made in the jazz sector.  The four young musicians, who all have classical or jazz training, like to experiment and combine the influences of pop, hip-hop, rock and electronic music.  The result is a blend of improvised modern music, borrowed from the compositions of Pol Belardi, accompanied by powerful grooves, harmonies and lyrical melodies. Pol Belardi has already released two albums with this training. The guitarist Riaz Khabirpour will join the quartet especially for this concert.

David Fettmann, alto saxophone; Jérôme Klein, piano; Niels Engel, drums; Pol Belardi, bass, compositions; Riaz Khabirpour, guitar;

Tickets €25 + admin fee

- Fri 21 July @ 20:45: The Loser(s) (Circus)

Fantastic Nouveau Cirque, potentially addictive: “Loser(s)” merges stunning acrobatics with contemporary dance, catchy music and hip-hop elements, and adds a pinch of humour. Through high-speed dance sections and impressive acrobatic feats the dancers tell stories about losing, accompanied by a musician, who is also in charge of the humorous elements of the show. The choreography was designed by Czech choreographer Jarek Cemerek, who taught at the Juilliard School in New York, and was voted “dancer of the year” in his home country in 2011. In this performance the Losers Cirque Company demonstrate that with these Loser(s), everyone’s a winner!

Tickets €35, €30, €25 + admin fee

- Sun 23 July @ 18:00-23:00: José González / Dillon / Monophona / Joy Wellboy (electro pop concert)

Festival Day - four groupes, three of them for the first time in Luxembourg. A Festival within the Festival: one night – four shows, featuring four popular current bands, three of them performing in Luxembourg for the first time.

This year’s Festival de Wiltz hosts a „Festival within the Festival“, presenting no less than four popular current bands live onstage at the amphitheatre on the same night. Three of them will perform in Luxembourg for the first time.

The show will be headlined by José González, the singer-songwriter with Argentinian roots prized for his distinctive guitar sound and his clear voice. His international career took off after several of his songs had been featured in TV series and movies (O.C., California, The secret life of Walter Mitty). His cover version of Heartbeats was not only used in a Sony commercial but also featured in the TV shows Scrubs and Bones. At the Festival de Wiltz González will present his latest album, “Vestiges & Claws”.

Leading up to the headliner, Brazilian singer, songwriter and pianist Dillon will play live at the amphitheatre. With her characteristic voice, somewhat reminiscent of Björk, accompanied by electronic beats and the delicate sound of the piano she performs songs of a melancholy beauty with expressive lyrics.

The Belgian duo Joy Wellboy will also make their Luxembourg premiere at the festival. Their complex sound structures, experimental beat arrangements and eclectic blend of R’n’B, trip hop, new wave and pop music elements merge into wonderful, refreshing songs.

The fourth show will feature the popular Luxembourg band Monophana. DJ and producer Philippe “Chook” Schirrer and singer-songwriter Claudine Muno create innovative sounds using sophisticated electronics.

Tickets €35 + admin fee

See www.festivalwiltz.lu  for further details.