Beyond Classic 2025
POLY AMORE
Beyond Classic
Thursday 27 February 2025
19:30h (doors) – 20:00 (start)
From couple over trio to poly amory …
exploring diversity of human love and lust.
Dear Friends,
We are very happy to welcome you to the seventh edition of Beyond Classic in this fabulous and historic concert venue, AMUZ (former St.-Augustinus Church, Kammenstraat 81, 2000 Antwerpen)
As at every edition of this unique concert, we want to make a statement. For several years we have been observing and experiencing a growing polarization, and witnessing declining values such as acceptance, hospitality and empathy towards those at risk of exclusion. Even within our own Queer community, shame and embarrassment are too often taking the place of pride, and which has been for so many decades been the key of our empowerment. Worldwide we see that anti gender/queer sentiments are growing, fueled by irrational fear and stereotyping.
The fetish community has a very strong language to challenge these threats, and yes, we want to use our voice in all the expressive forms that we have to empower our message of humanism. And in particular, this concert has over the years developed its own narrative. We are bringing together people with different backgrounds, interests, philosophies, preferences etc… curious to meet and to get to know each other, open to be surprised and inspired. In contrast to dividing people into categories and/or being ‘ashamed’ of one other, we believe in the inspirational power of connecting, discovering and sharing passion and expression. This evening, all our artists will subscribe to and communicate this message, using the language of music and dance.
Beyond Classic Antwerp is organized by volunteers and all artists are ‘donating’ their performance. Most of the production costs are offered by our generous partners and sponsors . This way, we can generate the maximum amount of money to support our charity beneficiaries.
A few words about the program and theme
Alone, in pairs, a threesome or in a group… while in sexuality sometimes concealed, controversial or even taboo it is completely natural in music. There are suitable pieces for all ways of coming together – solo, duet, trio up to bigger ensembles – and whether you prefer one or the other or all of them is just a question of personal taste. Is this perhaps why music is a wonderfully fitting metaphor for human sexuality in general and fetish in particular? Has music already hinted at, tried out and explored in earlier times what we can only really live out in sexuality today?
POLY AMORE is the theme of the new program by FETISH BAROQUE for BEYOND CLASSIC. In fact, gender boundaries were abolished and questioned early on in baroque operas some 300 years ago including lust and seduction as an integral part of their stories. The same happens in instrumental music, when different voices entice and seduce each other and come together to form most unusual pairings and groups. Why not!
Iris Vermillion, a true world star of the opera stage, presents opera highlights together with soprano Philipp Mathmann. Jaouad Alloul a celebrated representative of the contemporary queer scene in Antwerp and Brussels is going in conversation with the baroque musicians, as does the instrumental ensemble in presenting the global classical hit: one of Vivaldi’s famous “Four Seasons”. And Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, one of today’s most important choreographers, develops a new piece for Beyond Classic, this time with some three dancers.
To end, a sincere and big thank you to the artists, AMUZ team and board, City of Antwerp, volunteers, partners, sponsors and last but not least all of you for making this exceptional concert possible and bringing us all together.
Thomas Höft
Bart Abeel
Beneficiaries
Beyond Classic Antwerp is organised by volunteers. Most of the production costs (venue rent, musicians, sound and lights, and catering) are donated by our generous partners and sponsors. This way, we can generate the maximum amount of money from the concert to donate to charity. This year’s proceeds will go to the Leather Archives & Museum and the travel funds of the titleholders elected at Darklands.
LEATHER ARCHIVES & MUSEUM
The LA&M is one of the most significant accomplishments of the late 20th century movement for the rights, dignity, improved status, and self-acceptance of the leather and kink populations.
The museum recently launched a campaign to raise $2 million for much-needed renovations including making the entire collection wheelchair accessible.
Darklands has donated a first amount of $ 5000 to be followed by a donation of the money raised by WR1 this year.
Venue
Beyond Classic Antwerp takes place in the beautiful concert hall and former church, AMUZ. You can find it at Kammenstraat 81, 2000 Antwerpen
Car parking:
Q-Park: Kammenstraat 31
Q-Park: Lombardenvest 24-28
Parking Oudaan: Oudaan 15
Public transport:
There are several stops in the vicinity.
www.delijn.be
Tickets
 | SEATING CATEGORIES ♥ Cat. A: € 72 (rows 1 – 6) Tickets are now available in the Darklands ticket shop.
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Cast
FETISH BAROQUE and other artists
Iris Vermillion, mezzosoprano
Philipp Mathmann, male soprano
Marek Reichert, baritone
Jaouad Alloul, singer
Antwerp Queer Choir directed by Isaak Duerinck
Thomas Höft, dramaturgy & moderation
Austin Meiteen (OBV), dancer
Lateef Williams (OBV), dancer
Kazutomi ‘Tsuki’ Kozuki (Eastman), dancer
Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, choreographer
FETISH BAROQUE
Maria Kubizek, violin
Barbara Konrad, violin
Agata Front, violin
Gunda Hagmüller-Wieninger, viola
Alexander Gropper, violoncello
Georg Kroneis, double bass & viola da gamba
Ivan Trenev, accordion
Sofie Vanden Eynde, theorbo
Ivan Trenev, Accordion
Kevin Manent-Navratil, organ & harpsichord
Michael Hell, harpsichord & recorder
Michael Hell, musical director
Georg Kroneis, artistic director
Bart Abeel, production director
Program
PART 1
Jean Baptiste Lully (1632 – 1687)
Chaconne in C major
from the opera Cadmus et Hermione LWV 49
Wolfgang Amadé Mozart (1756 – 1791)
Aria of Cherubino: Non so più in E flat major
from the opera Le nozze di Figaro KV 492
Philipp Mathmann, soprano solo
Antonio Vivaldi (1678 – 1741)
Concerto 1 La Primavera in E major RV 269, „Spring”
from Il cimento dell’armonia e dell’inventione Op. 8 (Amsterdam, 1725)
I. Allegro
II. Largo
III. Danza pastorale. Allegro
Maria Kubizek, violin solo
Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714 – 1787)
Aria of Orfeo: Che faro senza Euridice in C major
from the opera Orfeo ed Euridice
Iris Vermillion, alto solo
Antonio Bertali (1605 – 1669)
Sonata in a minor
from PROTHIMIA SUAVISSIMA (1672)
Aiko Devriendt / Jaouad Alloul, arr. Michael Hell
Crazy
Jaouad Alloul, solo
Claudio Monteverdi (1567 – 1643)
Aria Si dolce il tormento in a minor SV 332
from Quarto scherzo delle ariose vaghezze (Venice, 1624)
Antwerp Queer Choir
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750) / Thomas Höft
Choral Verpönte Lieb in g minor (Forbidden Love)
from queerPassion after BWV 245
Antwerp Queer Choir
BREAK
PART 2
Georg Friedrich Händel (1685 – 1759)
Aria of Cleopatra: V’adoro pupille in F major
from the opera Giulio Cesare in Egitto HWV 17
Philipp Mathmann, soprano solo
Carl Heinrich Graun (1704/05 – 1759)
Aria of Cesare: Voglio Strage in B flat major
from the opera Cleopatra e Cesare
Iris Vermillion, mezzo soprano solo
Antonio Vivaldi
Concerto per flautino in G major RV 443
Allegro
Largo
Allegro molto
Michael Hell, recorder solo
Wolfgang Amadé Mozart
Aria of Cherubino: Voi che sapete in B flat major
from the opera Le nozze di Figaro KV 492
Philipp Mathmann, soprano solo
Friedrich Hollaender (1896 – 1876), arr. Michael Hell
Song: Ich weiß nicht, zu wem ich gehöre in B flat minor / D major
from the movie Stürme der Leidenschaft (1932)
solo Iris Vermillion, alto solo
Wolfgang Amadé Mozart
Terzettino: Soave sia il vento
from the opera Così fan tutte KV 588
Philipp Mathmann, Iris Vermillion, Marek Reichert
dancers Austin Meiteen (OBV), Lateef Williams (OBV), Kazutomi ‘Tsuki’ Kozuki (Eastman)
choregraphed by Sidi Labi Cherkaoui
U2 (Adam Clayton, David Evans, Paul Hewson, Larry Mullen Jr.), arr. Michael Hell
Still haven’t found what I’m looking for
Jaouad Alloul, solo
Required ticket
Beyond Classic impressions
Gallery 2023
Gallery 2022
Concert info
Beyond Classic
Thursday 27 February 2025
19:30h (doors) – 20:00 (start)
Amuz
Former St.-Augustinus Church
Kammenstraat 81, 2000 Antwerpen
Beneficiary
