STEIN-FESTIVAL: "Romances Impériales"

In 1817, Hortense de Beauharnais (1783-1837) sought refuge in Augsburg following the fall of her stepfather and brother-in-law Napoleon, accompanied by her son Charles Louis Napoleon (1808-1873) - who became President of France in 1848 and, from 1850, reigned as Emperor Napoleon III. Between 1821 and 1823, the young Napoleon attended the grammar school at St. Anna's church. The so-called "Franzosenschlösschen" on Heilig-Kreuz-Strasse housed several musical instruments, and it is from these years that many of the remarkable chansons Hortense composed in her own hand most likely date - including one of France's official national anthems. These works now return to Augsburg for the first time in many years.

Cast:
Emma Urriani - mezzo-soprano
Daniel Sauer - baritone
Steve Roy - fortepiano