Concerts
3. Andermatt Goethe Days
24 TO 25 AUGUST 2024: “GOETHES FRAUENGESCHICHTE(N)”
The 3rd edition of the Andermatt Goethe Days will take place on 24 and 25 August 2024. Organised jointly by ANDERMATT MUSIC and the Sasso San Gottardo, this event will offer a unique mixture of music, literature, theatre, history and stories with special reference to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s travels to the Gotthard, his relationship with Switzerland, and his impact on this country’s history and self-perception.
“Feeling great; projects” wrote Goethe in his diary during a stop at Andermatt. He went on to praise both the inspiring surroundings and the “excellent” cheese from Ursern. He was full of enthusiasm for this valley, which he claimed was the loveliest and most interesting of all the regions he knew. Oddly, he came down from the north three times to the Gotthard Pass, and each time travelled back to the north again. Goethe was a universal genius who yearned for Italy and was possessed of an urge to explore — but he never traversed the Pass itself on his way south. This 3rd edition of the Andermatt Goethe Days will see the inauguration of an app-based hiking trail “With Goethe at the Gotthard” that will retrace the poet’s historical route.
In 2024, the topic of the Andermatt Goethe Days will be “Women’s stories and Goethe”. The Austrian actor Isabel Karajan is our guest artist and will recite assorted texts on the topic. There will be a podium discussion, also featuring Barbara Naumann and Boris Previšić, in which Karajan will let the characters from Goethe’s writings have their say alongside historical figures, thereby creating a link to our song recital with the soprano Franziska Heinzen. On Sunday, there will be a special guided tour of Switzerland’s only permanent exhibition on Goethe in Switzerland, given by the joint curator Margrit Wyder. Here, Isabel Karajan will introduce women connected with Goethe’s Gotthard travels and recite excerpts from his letters and other texts. At the close, Michael Schwyter will give a theatrical performance in the Crystal Cavern.
Programme, Saturday, 24 August 2024
1.30 pm: LAUNCH OF THE GOETHE THEME TRAIL (ANDERMATT VILLAGE CENTRE)
A ceremonial launch of the hiking trail on the topic “With Goethe at the Gotthard”.
Keynote speaker: Gabriele Boner, Embassy Counsellor of the German Embassy Bern
Followed by an apéritif. Admission will be free of charge.
4 pm: PODIUM DISCUSSION (ANDERMATT CONCERT HALL)
The topic will be examined in a panel discussion with expert participants, and its various facets will be elucidated in a clear, informed manner. This interdisciplinary discussion – in which literary aspects will be considered along with musical issues – will be moderated by Patricia Moreno of the cultural programme of Radio SRF 2 (free admission; in German):
– Isabel Karajan, Schauspielerin (recitation of Goethe texts)
– Barbara Naumann, Professor of Modern German Literature
– Boris Previšić, Professor of Literary and Cultural Studies
7.30 pm: LIEDER RECITAL WITH FRANZISKA HEINZEN (ANDERMATT CONCERT HALL)
This recital on “The eternal feminine” will focus on different women characters in Goethe’s works, from to Gretchen to Suleika and Mignon, in musical settings by Schubert, Liszt, Wolf and others:
– Franziska Heinzen, soprano
– Benjamin Mead, piano
– Isabel Karajan, recitation Andermatt Concert Hall
Programme, Sunday, 25 August 2024
11 am: SPECIAL GUIDED TOUR OF THE EXHIBITION ON GOETHE IN SWITZERLAND (MAIN ENTRANCE, SASSO SAN GOTTARDO)
Special guided tour of the exhibition “Goethe at the Gotthard – Highlights of his travels through Switzerland”, with:
– Joint curator Margrit Wyder, President of the Goethe Society of Switzerland
– Isabel Karajan
This will be followed by a theatrical performance by Michael Schwyter in the Crystal Cavern: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and his secretary Ludwig Geist report on their third journey to the Gotthard. Goethe’s wife, who stayed at home, will also have her say. Museum Sasso San Gottardo, main entrance.
Tickets & Packages
- 7.30 pm: Lieder recital, Andermatt Concert Hall
Prices: CHF 90 / 75 / 60 / 45
- 11 am: Guided tour of the Goethe exhibition, Sasso San Gottardo
- Afterwards: Theatre performance
Price: CHF 45
- 24.8., 7.30 pm: Lieder recital
- 25.8., 11 am: Guided tour of the Goethe exhibition
- 25.8., afterwards: Theatre performance
Price: CHF 137.50
- 24.8., 5.45 pm: Dinner at the Restaurant Spun at the Radisson Blu Hotel Reussen, Andermatt
- 24.8., 7.30 pm: Lieder recital, Andermatt Concert Hall
- 24.–25.8.: Overnight stay with breakfast at the Radisson Blu Hotel Reussen, Andermatt (4*)
- 25.8., 11 am: Guided tour of the Goethe exhibition
- 25.8., afterwards: Theatre performance
Prices: CHF 525 (1 person), CHF 810 (2 people)
- 24.8., 7.30 pm: Lieder recital, Andermatt Concert Hall
- 24.–25.8.: Overnight stay with breakfast at the Hotel Schlüssel (3*), Andermatt
- 25.8., 11 am: Guided tour of the Goethe exhibition
- 25.8., afterwards: Theatre performance
Prices: CHF 345 (1 person), CHF 535 (2 people)
