Chigiana Festival Opens with Henze's Secular Instrumental Requiem in Siena
The Accademia Chigiana's International Festival in Siena opened on July 12, 2026, with a performance of Hans Werner Henze's 'Requiem' at the Church of Sant'Agostino. The festival, curated by artistic director Nicola Sani, marks Henze's centenary (born July 1, 1926) with 42 of his works programmed. The 'Requiem' is a purely instrumental piece in nine movements, subtitled 'Neun geistliche Konzerte' after Heinrich Schütz, dedicated to Michael Vyner and all AIDS victims. It features pianist Emanuele Arciuli and trumpeter Jeroen Berwaerts, with the Chigiana Percussion Ensemble and Orchestra della Toscana conducted by Kai Röhrig. Henze, who died in 2012, lived in Marino near Rome for 60 years and founded the Cantiere Internazionale d'Arte di Montepulciano in 1976. The festival's opening concert was followed by a dinner in Piazza del Campo.
Key facts
- Hans Werner Henze's 'Requiem' performed at Accademia Chigiana Festival in Siena on July 12, 2026
- Festival marks Henze's centenary with 42 works
- Requiem is purely instrumental, nine movements, dedicated to Michael Vyner and AIDS victims
- Performers: Emanuele Arciuli (piano), Jeroen Berwaerts (trumpet), Chigiana Percussion Ensemble, Orchestra della Toscana
- Conductor: Kai Röhrig
- Artistic director: Nicola Sani
- Henze lived in Marino, Italy for 60 years, died in 2012
- Henze founded Cantiere Internazionale d'Arte di Montepulciano in 1976
Entities
Artists
- Hans Werner Henze
- Emanuele Arciuli
- Jeroen Berwaerts
- Kai Röhrig
- Nicola Sani
- Michael Kerstan
- Mario Martone
- Sergiu Celibidache
- Benjamin Britten
- Alban Berg
- Johannes Brahms
- Gustav Mahler
- Heinrich Schütz
- Luigi Nono
- Leonard Bernstein
- Michael Vyner
- Wystan Auden
- Chester Kallman
- George Crumb
- Frederic Rzewski
- Michael Nyman
- Michael Daugherty
- John Luther Adams
- Alberto Arbasino
Institutions
- Accademia Chigiana
- Fondazione Palazzo Chigi Zondadari
- Museo di Santa Maria della Scala
- Opera di Roma
- Teatro Nazionale
- Teatro Costanzi
- La Scala
- London Sinfonietta
- Orchestra della Toscana
- Chigiana Percussion Ensemble
- Cantiere Internazionale d'Arte di Montepulciano
- Teatro Poliziano
- Festival di Salisburgo
Locations
- Siena
- Italy
- Rome
- Marino
- Colli Albani
- Ischia
- Montepulciano
- Bologna
- Dresden
- Norimberga
- Germany
- Piazza del Campo
- Chiesa di Sant'Agostino
Sources
- Artslife —