The murder of Abel by his brother Cain is one of those subjects that fascinated a century preoccupied by theological matters. That first murder was to engender all humanity and cast the ambiguous figure of Cain in the role of the father of civilisation. This opera was presented for the first time at the Paris Opera in direction of René Jacobs and Romeo Castellucci and is now to be seen at Staatsoper Berlin

In the coming season, Ballet Vlaanderen will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. The jubilee year will open with Jeanne Brabants’ Cantus Firmus and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui's Mea Culpa. A ballet production where inequality, discrimination, colonization and slavery are questioned from the perspective of both perpetrator and victim. The bridge between the Brabants and Cherkaoui is formed by Schütz’s music, which advocates reconciliation.

In Mozart’s oeuvre, vocal and instrumental music are not separate worlds. On the contrary, the composer effortlessly allowed melodies to migrate between his operas and symphonies. René Jacobs and B'Rock reconcile several parts from Mozart’s renowned two last symphonies with key arias and love duets from the equally legendary operas The Marriage of Figaro and The Magic Flute, thereby creating a coherent, dramatic tension.

Recorder Lucie Horsch has the highest regard for Italian music. Be ready to be surprised with the music of Neapolitan composers like Leo, Mancini, Sarri, Durante en Scarlatti. Tipped as one of the must sees concerts of the festival by de Volkskrant; "This performance promises to be a bustling and heart-catching event."