The theme of Festival Oude Muziek Utrecht 2027 is Humanists. This festival edition explores humanity's enduring attempt to become more human through art, and through music in particular.
Our point of departure is Christian Humanism, embodied by Erasmus of Rotterdam. We follow Erasmus on his travels through Europe, reconstructing the soundtrack of his life. From there, the focus shifts to the ideals of the Enlightenment as they take shape in the works of Rameau.
Human experience remains at the heart of the programme. One of its most distinctive expressions is the shedding of tears: tears of joy, befitting homo ludens, as well as tears of sorrow and compassion.
The festival also explores the expression of human passions in secular music and the religious sensibilities of Pietism. Romantic excess finds its place alongside confessions of love and desire, with the poetry of Petrarch occupying a place of honour. Human relationships are revealed in the bonds between teacher and pupil, patron and artist, while exchanges of letters provide one of their most intimate and nuanced expressions. In this way, the festival also acquires a distinctly literary dimension.
Festival Oude Muziek Utrecht 2027 thus explores what it means to be human, and how central the art of musical expression is to that experience.
