MANDOLIN ACADEMY IN VENICE

Welcome to Venice!


THE VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL

Concerts in Venice 3 - 6 May 2023

TRIO FLUER DE LYS
TRIO FLUER DE LYS
3 Virtuosos
JULIANE EBERT SCHULZ
JULIANE EBERT SCHULZ
Mandolin Soloist
RUPERT GEHRMANN
RUPERT GEHRMANN
Guitar Soloist
SILKE LISKO
SILKE LISKO
Mandolin Soloist
SILKE LISKO
SILKE LISKO
Conductor
SABINE NEUDECKER
SABINE NEUDECKER
Mandolin Soloist
CAMERATA MANDOLINO CLASSICO
CAMERATA MANDOLINO CLASSICO
Venetian Baroque Music
CAMERATA MANDOLINO CLASSICO
CAMERATA MANDOLINO CLASSICO
Plays music by Vivaldi
THE VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
THE VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
Maxine Rizzotto - Conductor
THE VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
THE VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
Robert Draken - Mandolin Soloist
THE VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
THE VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
Sabine Neudecker - Baroque Mandolin
THE VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
THE VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
Lady with mandolin - And many, many more players
THE MANDOLINE BAND ELENA GENOVA, BULGARIA
THE MANDOLINE BAND ELENA GENOVA, BULGARIA
Iliya Mitrev - Conductor
THE MANDOLINE BAND ELENA GENOVA, BULGARIA
THE MANDOLINE BAND ELENA GENOVA, BULGARIA
Iliya Mitrev - Conductor
ZUPFORCHESTER LUZERN, SWITZERLAND
ZUPFORCHESTER LUZERN, SWITZERLAND
Silke Lisko - Conductor
ZUPFORCHESTER LUZERN, SWITZERLAND
ZUPFORCHESTER LUZERN, SWITZERLAND
Silke Lisko - Conductor
NUERNBERG MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA, GERMANY
NUERNBERG MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA, GERMANY
Siegfried Girgner - Conductor
SVETI NIKOLAJ MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA, NORTH MACEDONIA
SVETI NIKOLAJ MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA, NORTH MACEDONIA
Kiril Trajkovski - Conductor
SVETI NIKOLAJ MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA, NORTH MACEDONIA
SVETI NIKOLAJ MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA, NORTH MACEDONIA
Kiril Trajkovski - Conductor
SVETI NIKOLAJ MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA, NORTH MACEDONIA
SVETI NIKOLAJ MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA, NORTH MACEDONIA
Kiril Trajkovski - Conductor
SVETI NIKOLAJ MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA, NORTH MACEDONIA
SVETI NIKOLAJ MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA, NORTH MACEDONIA
Kiril Trajkovski - Conductor
MANDOLIN MOUNTAIN
MANDOLIN MOUNTAIN
Jouni Koskimäki - Conductor
MANDOLIN MOUNTAIN
MANDOLIN MOUNTAIN
from Finland
ANTONIO VIVALDI
ANTONIO VIVALDI
1678 - 1741
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
1770 - 1827
ASTOR PIAZZOLLA
ASTOR PIAZZOLLA
1921 - 1992
YASUO KUWAHARA
YASUO KUWAHARA
1946 - 2003
GIACOMO PUCCINI
GIACOMO PUCCINI
1858 - 1924
GIUSEPPE VERDI
GIUSEPPE VERDI
1813 - 1901
J. S. BACH
J. S. BACH
1685 - 1750
TOMASO ALBINONI
TOMASO ALBINONI
1671 - 1751
DOMENICO SCARLATTI
DOMENICO SCARLATTI
1685 - 1757
GEORG PH. TELEMANN
GEORG PH. TELEMANN
1681 - 1767
W. A. MOZART
W. A. MOZART
1756 - 1791
W. A. MOZART
W. A. MOZART
1756 - 1791
JOUNI KOSKIMÄKI
JOUNI KOSKIMÄKI
Composer

CHIOSTRO E CHIESA DI SANT' ELENA, VENEZIA

Some of the concerts will take place in this beautiful place

THE VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL

Concerts in Venice 3 - 6 May 2023


FESTIVAL PROGRAM

3 - 6 May 2023


* * *

Zupforchester Luzern


supported by

Schweizerische Eidgenossen - Confédération suisse - Confederazione Svizzera - Confederaziun svizra

Consolato generale di Svizzera a Milano / Consolato di Svizzera a Venezia

Zupforchester Luzern

INAGURATION & OPENING CONCERT 3 MAY 19:00

Venetian and German Baroque Mandolin Music


Wednesday 3 May 19:00 Chiostro / Chiesa Sant' Elena, Venezia


INTRODUCTION BY

Keith Harris & Lars Forslund


The mandolin orchestra from Switzerland

ZUPFORCHESTER LUZERN

Silke Lisko - conductor


Soloists

Silke Lisko - mandolin

Juliane Ebert Schulz - mandolin


Concert program - Music by Vivaldi, Albinoni, Telemann and others

Duration of the program maximum 60 minutes


Free entrance


* * *

CONCERT 4 MAY 15:00

Venetian and Neapolitan Baroque Mandolin Music


Thursday 4 May 15:00 Chiostro / Chiesa Sant' Elena, Venezia


The international mandolin orchestra

VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA

Maxine Rizzotto - conductor


Concert program - Music by Vivaldi, Paolucci, Gervasio and others

Duration of the program maximum 60 minutes


Free entrance


* * *

Mandolin Society "Sveti Nikola"

CONCERT 4 MAY 17:00

Classical, Macedonian and Bulgarian Mandolin Music


Thursday 4 May 17:00 Chiostro / Chiesa Sant' Elena, Venezia


The mandolin orchestra from North Macedonia Republic

MANDOLIN SOCIETY "SVETI NIKOLA"

Kiril Trajkovski - conductor


Concert program - Music to confirm

Duration of the program maximum 30 minutes


&


The mandolin orchestra from Bulgaria

MANDOLIN BAND "ELENA GENOVA"

Iliya Mitrev- conductor


Concert program - Music by Martin, Saint-Preux, Petisi and others

Duration of the program maximum 30 minutes


Free entrance


* * *

Photo: Jukka Pesonen

Mandolin Mountain

CONCERT 4 MAY 19:00

Baroque, Classical and Romantic Mandolin Music


Thursday 4 May 19:00 Chiostro / Chiesa Sant' Elena, Venezia


The mandolin orchestra from Finland

MANDOLIN MOUNTAIN

Jouni Koskimäki - conductor


Concert program - Music by Scarlatti, Bach, Haydn, Sibelius and others

Duration of the program maximum 30 minutes


&


The mandolin orchestra from Germany

MANDOLINEN ORCHESTER NÜRNBERG

Siegfried Girgner- conductor


Concert program - Music by Dowland, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven and others

Duration of the program maximum 30 minutes


Free entrance


* * *

The Venice Mandolin Festival Orchestra plays Lofoten Suite

CONCERT 5 MAY 15:00

New Mandolin Music from Venice, Norway, Sweden and Finland


Friday 5 May 15:00 Teatro Vivaldi, Lido di Venezia


The international mandolin orchestra

VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA

Jouni Koskimäki - conductor

Lars Forslund - conductor


Concert program - Music by Koskimäki, Forslund and others

Duration of the program maximum 60 minutes


Free entrance


* * *

Mandolinen Orchester Nuernberg

CONCERT 5 MAY 17:00

Old and New Mandolin Music from Japan and many other countries


Friday 5 May 17:00 Teatro Vivaldi, Lido di Venezia


The mandolin orchestra from Germany

MANDOLINEN ORCHESTER NÜRNBERG

Siegfried Girgner- conductor


Concert program - Music by Gilles, Yoshimoto, Azevedo, Girgner and others

Duration of the program maximum 30 minutes


&


The mandolin orchestra from North Macedonia Republic

MANDOLIN SOCIETY "SVETI NIKOLA"

Kiril Trajkovski - conductor


Concert program - Music to confirm

Duration of the program maximum 30 minutes


Free entrance


* * *

Mandolin Band "Elena Genova"

CONCERT 5 MAY 19:00

Old and New Mandolin Music from Finland, Bulgaria and many other countries


Friday 5 May 19:00 Teatro Vivaldi, Lido di Venezia


The mandolin orchestra from Bulgaria

MANDOLIN BAND "ELENA GENOVA"

Iliya Mitrev- conductor


Concert program - Music by Stefanovski, Bregovic, Derbenko and others

Duration of the program maximum 30 minutes


&


The mandolin orchestra from Finland

MANDOLIN MOUNTAIN

Jouni Koskimäki - conductor


Concert program - Music by Koskimäki, Zappa, Bach and others

Duration of the program maximum 30 minutes


Free entrance


* * *

The Venice Mandolin Festival Orchestra plays The Song of Japanese Autumn

CONCERT 6 MAY 15:00

Venetian Baroque Music and Japanese Mandolin Music


Saturday 6 May 15:00 Chiesa San Antonio, Lido di Venezia


The international mandolin orchestra

VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA

Lars Forslund - conductor


Concert program - Music by Vivaldi, Ugolino, Kuwahara and others

Duration of the program maximum 60 minutes


Free entrance


* * *

CONCERT 6 MAY 17:00

Mandolin Music from early Venetian Baroque to Modern


Saturday 6 May 17:00 Chiesa San Antonio, Lido di Venezia


The mandolin orchestra from Switzerland

ZUPFORCHESTER LUZERN

Silke Lisko - conductor

&

Soloists

Silke Lisko - mandolin

Juliane Ebert Schulz - mandolin


Concert program - Music by Vivaldi, Romano, Jenkins, Angulo and others

Duration of the program maximum 60 minutes


Free entrance


* * *

GALA CONCERT & CARNIVAL PARTY 6 MAY 19:30

An Italian Mandolin and Opera Gala & Party and buffet for the participants


Saturday 6 May 19:30 Private party in Sala Laguna, Lido di Venezia


The international mandolin orchestra

VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA

Jouni Koskimäki - conductor

Lars Forslund - conductor and others


Concert program - Music by De Curtis, Verdi, Puccini and others

Duration of the program maximum 60 minutes


No entrance - Private party


In colaboration with Opera da Camera di Venezia

& artists from The Carnival of Venice


* * *

OPERA CONCERT 7 MAY 17:30

Baroque Music and Opera arias


Sunday 7 May 17:30 Teatro Kolbe, Mestre (Comune di Venezia)


The mandolin ensemble from Sweden

CAMERATA MANDOLINO CLASSICO


Concert program - Music by Vivaldi, Händel, Scarlatti and others

Duration of the program maximum 60 minutes


Free entrance


Reservation for any changes


* * *

THE VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL NEXT YEAR

Concerts in Venice 1 - 4 May 2024

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL




IN SPRING, 2024, THE VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL INVITES

music lovers and players of the mandolin, mandola and guitar, of all levels, as well as mandolin and guitar orchestras, professional players and conductors, from all over the world, to enjoy great music and art in Venice. How would you and your mandolin orchestra like to make music in Venice, one of the most beautiful cities in the world?


Come to Venice and give concerts in incredibly beautiful churches and palaces dating back to the Middle Ages. And play Verdi and Puccini in the huge joint mandolin orchestra at a gala evening in the spirit of the Carnival of Venice. In May, 2024, the Venice Mandolin Festival will continue the unique tradition of a mandolin festival in Venice, a festival of concerts for everybody who loves to play and hear the mandolin, mandola and guitar.


Yet again, this exciting event will bring together enthusiasts from all over the world to play, to meet, exchange stories and ideas, and form international friendships. Who knows where it can lead? Get in touch with us so we can tell you more about how the Festival works.


• Come to amazing Venice and enjoy being part of this very special international musical community. Everyone is welcome!
• Come to Venice and be part of THE VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA!This project orchestra is open to everybody.


THE VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA
The repertoire includes baroque and classical music, greatly loved music from the opera, and both happy and sad Neapolitan songs (don’t forget your paper handkerchieves!) not to mention music by leading modern plucked string composers like Yasuo Kuwahara. There are mandolin concertos by legendary 18th century Venetian composers such as Vivaldi and Hasse, or Kuwahara’s emotional "Song of Japanese Autumn”.
At the Mandolin & Opera Gala Concert and Carnival Party, we will be joined by leading professional singers from famous Italian opera houses.
The Party music will include greatly loved songs from the Opera like The Prisoners’ Chorus from Nabucco, the Drinking Song from La Traviata, Nessun Dorma from Turandot and more. And then the most loved Neapolitan songs like O Sole Mio, Come Back to Sorrento, Canta pè me, Santa Lucia, Funiculi Funicula and more. If you have your favourite music, please let us know, and perhaps we can include it in our planning.


THE CONCERTS
Concerts will be held in the heart of Venice and on the beautiful island of Lido, 15 minutes from St Mark’s Square by vaporetto

(water bus) number 1.


The general details are based on our experience at previous Festivals

• Both artistically and organisationally, it’s best if each visiting ensemble presents one complete concert of its own.
• Each concert should last about 60 minutes.
• You can rehearse before your performance for up to three hours in the church or concert hall where the concert will take place.


At the closing Gala Concerto & Carnival Style Party,

we hope that all guest orchestras, individual participants and small ensembles will play in the Venice Mandolin Festival Orchestra.
• The VMFO will rehearse Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 13:00 and concerts at 15:00.
• The Festival Orchestra is directed by a professional conductor with special experience in the field of mandolin orchestras.
• The Orchestra is open to all players from guest orchestras, individual participants and small ensembles.
• The VMFO will give a concert of its own, and also perform at the closing gala concert on Saturday evening.
• This concert will also include a performance of Baroque dances with the Venetian dance master Roberto Barison and his troupe.


Do you have any questions?
It is impossible to explain everything on a website, so please contact us with your particular questions about the Venice Mandolin Festival. We will do our best to answer them. Do not hesitate to ask anything that interests you!

INFORMATION 2024

THE VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL:


Wednesday 1 May:

19:00 inaguration concert.


Thursday 2 May: 

10:00 rehearsal, 13: 00 break. 

Concerts 15:00, 17:00 & 19:00.


Friday 3 May: 

10:00 rehearsal, 13: 00 break.

Concerts 15:00, 17:00 & 19:00.


Saturday 4 May: 

10:00 rehearsal, 13: 00 break.

Concerts 15:00, 17:00, gala party 19:30

THE PRICE INCLUDES:

Playing in The Venice Mandolin Festival Orchestra.

All concerts, own & joint concerts.

All rehearsals, own & joint rehearsals.

Administration and preparations. Marketing - posters - advertising.

Rent of chuches & locations in Venice.

Rent of rehearsal hall. Gala concert & Carnival party with snacks and prosecco in a private location.


PARTICIPATION FEE:

Euro € 150 / person for adults

Euro € 100 / person for students

Euro €   50 / person for companions

ACCOMMODATION & TRANSPORT: Accommodation, transport in Italy and flights to and from Italy, food & drinks are not included in the price, except snacks and prosecco in the final party. You do best to book your own hotel or private apartment in Venice that you can easily find online.


EXTRA DAYS:

For those of you who come to Venice earlier or stay a few days extra, we can arrange a guided tour. We visit cafes, ice cream bars (gelaterie), wine cellars. We look at architecture, art and tell the story of Vivaldi. Euro € 10 / person

THE FINAL GALA CONCERT AND THE CARNIVAL PARTY OF THE VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL

A joint concert and party with The Venice Mandolin Festival Orchestra, Opera Singers & Artists from The Carnevale di Venezia


Our opera soloists and dancers from Carnevale di Venezia, are all humble, very friendly and professional artists.

Everyone is used to make music and collaborate with mandolin orchestras both in Venice and abroad.

The collaboration and exchange concerts have been going on since 1998.

PURE ENJOYMENT

The Festival ends with an 18th century style gala. It's a private party, like the ones Venetian aristocrats 200 years ago would have enjoyed. The revellers this time are the participants in the Venice Mandolin Festival, the Opera da Camera di Venezia, with soloists and dancing masters, performers from the renowned Carnival in Venice - many in period dress - and you and your friends.


DANCING MASTER ROBERTO BARISON IS A VENETIAN ORIGINAL

He and his dance associates, Ricercardanzando, are among Italy’s most celebrated dance ensembles. They will introduce you to the delights of the 18th century ballroom. They know what you need to know to get started, and under their gentle but masterful expert guidance, you will soon forget yourself and be part of the revelry as much as the experienced dancers.


IN MASCHERA - A MASKED BALL

In a private location, the guests dance an elegant and stately minuet - that most courtly of courtly dances. If you want to dress up in 18th century style, or wear fanciful costumes and fantastic head-gear or masks - just anything suitable to the cultivated madness of a Carnival in Venice - feel free. Do whatever your imagination desires.


Reservation for any changes


* * *

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DRESS IN INSPIRATION

of a Venetian masquerade ball

THE DANCE ENSEMBLE RICERCARDANZANDO

Dance master Roberto Barison from Venice and his dance ensemble

Ricercardanzando belong to one of Italy's most

requested dance ensembles.


* * *

CAMERATA MANDOLINO CLASSICO PLAYS VIVALDI & BACH

A mandolin and guitar orchestra from Sweden - Lars Forslund, conductor

Silvia Ricca 3 (2)
97F4ACD0-C400-4BDD-94A9-114E9AB21E26
Maxine Rizzotto Carnevale 2 (2)

A MANDOLIN & OPERA GALA CONCERTO WITH CARNIVAL PARTY AND BAROQUE DANCE

We will hold the final mandolin & opera gala concerto and the carnival party in a private location

LARS FORSLUND PLAYS BACH - AN INSPIREING WINE CONCERTO

Lars plays on a mandolin built by Gabriele Pandini, Italy

LARS FORSLUND PLAYS BACH - AN INSPIREING CAFÉ CONCERTO

Lars plays on a mandolin built by Gabriele Pandini, Italy

LARS FORSLUND PLAYS SCARLATTI WITH VENETIAN FRIENDS

Lars plays on a mandolin built by Daigoro Ochiai, Japan

THE VENICE MANDOLIN FESTIVAL NEXT YEAR

Concerts in Venice 1 - 4 May 2024


Please contact us with your questions about The Venice Mandolin Festival.

We have much more to tell you about the organisation, soloists,

orchestras, concerts, repertory, the big party and so on.

We are very happy to try to answer your questions.

Don't hesitate to ask everything you wonder!

To apply or find out more about The Venice Mandolin Festival 2024

CAMERATA MANDOLINO CLASSICO PLAYS NÄSLUND

Concerto for guitar, Kenneth Frejd - guitar, Keith Harris - conductor - Omberg, Sweden 2007

WATCH OUR VIDEOS

Beautiful 3D films about The Carnival of Venice in the 18th century. Or play along to our soundtracks.


Music by Vivaldi, Scarlatti, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Näslund and others