Knabenherz

My dear colleagues and I are happy to return with our most beloved duet programme, which is "Klänge aus Mähren" by A. Dvorak combined with B. Smetana's "Bohemian dances".  Our concert will be held at Palais Palffy Vienna on November 19th, 2025. Klänge aus Mähren Soprano: Elisabeth Margraf Mezzosoprano: Astrid Mathyshek Piano: Karl Macourek Music: A. Dvorak & B. Smetana 19. November 2025 Palais Palffy, Vienna Figarosaal I Entrance: 6 pm Start: 7 pm Tickets: 25 Euro The Figaro-Saal I at Palais Palffy, Vienna Pic: Karl Macourek;

Today we celebrate the holy Rosary feast! It is a catholic tradition which dates back to 1571, the year in which Don Juan de Austria won the important sea battle at Lepanto against the turkish aggressors which tried to invade Europe.  His mother was Barbara Blomberg, a girl from Regensburg, called "Beautiful Barbara" by the citizens, because she was not only a beautiful girl, but she also was known for her beautiful voice. In 1546, when Barbara was only 19 years old, Emperor Karl V came to Regensburg for the Reichstag and heard her sing during a holy mass. He fell for her voice and beauty immediately and invited her to his hotel "Goldenes Kreuz". 9 months later their son Johannes was born. Aged 3 he was taken away from his mother violently by the Emperor's servants and brought to Spain, where he was raised and educated to become a military man...and since the Christians' prayers to the Mother of God led to his success to save Europe from the turkish invasion...

On October 4th, 1841 Marie Sophie Amalie, Duchess in Bavaria, later Queen of the two Sicilies was born. Some years ago we produced a MV to honour her life and her fight for justice, which made her the "Heroine of Gaeta". Enjoy! Alma oppressa Gaeta Nelle volte di Gaeta Battono i buoni cuori, Pregano le man' in seta, Suonan' i cannoni fuori. Re di forza, pien' di speme, Da conforto alla moglie. La regina che non teme, Gran corraggio ella coglie. Via 'l raso delle guanti! Date l'armi al guaglione! È al fianco dei Santi: La regina di Borbone. Re angelico combatte Le sue ali già straziate, Maledette casamatte, Malasorte sol' portate! Quando la tristezza butta, Giù l'affaticato braccio, Edifica in scena muta, Della fedeltà il bacio. Angelo e Cavaliera, Uomo, donna lat'al lato, Alma docile e fiera In donzella, in soldato. Circondati stan' di mine, Sangue, fumo, gridi, spari: Amb' in glorie e rovine, Son androgini e pari. Knabenherz Pic: Knaben...