Odense Baroque Festival – 10th Anniversary Edition 2026

Odense Baroque Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2026 under the title “Barocco Affettuoso – close to the most profound emotions”. 

Based in the heart of Denmark, the festival is dedicated to early and Baroque music performed on historical instruments and rooted in historically informed performance practice. It aims to bring Baroque repertoire to life in intimate, historic and acoustically rich venues across Odense, including churches, museums and cultural spaces.

The 2026 edition takes place from 13–20 September and presents a diverse programme of concerts exploring the emotional depth and expressive richness of Baroque music. The festival opens with BørneBarok, a sensory and playful children’s opera concert designed for audiences aged 2–6 and their families, introducing Baroque music through storytelling, movement and live performance on period instruments. The festival’s main concert series features Ensemble Barocca, the festival’s frequent collaborating ensemble, alongside guest artists from Denmark and abroad. A programme titled “Lys og skygge” explores contrasts of light and darkness in Baroque expression through works by Handel, Bach, Strozzi and Vivaldi, performed in Vor Frue Church in Odense. Further chamber music concerts include a harpsichord recital titled “Sturm und Drang Sonatas” and a duo concert for recorder and harpsichord featuring repertoire by Bach, Handel and Telemann, highlighting the expressive language of Baroque affect. A semi-staged Baroque opera production of Reinhard Keiser’s Der lächerliche Prinz Jodelet forms the centrepiece of the festival at the Danish National Opera in Odense. Performed by Odense Baroque Orchestra and choir under the musical direction of Babett Hartmann, the opera reflects the festival’s commitment to historically informed performance and large-scale Baroque repertoire.

The festival collaborates with professional musicians, conservatory students and ensembles from Denmark and across Europe, fostering artistic exchange and emerging talent within the early music field. It also maintains interdisciplinary collaborations with cultural partners such as schools, dance and visual arts projects, and engages in outreach activities in educational contexts.

Concerts take place in historic venues across Odense and are often followed by informal gatherings (Nachspiel) where artists and audiences meet, reinforcing the festival’s strong sense of community. Through its programming, Odense Baroque Festival seeks to deepen appreciation of Baroque music as a living, expressive and emotionally immediate art form, connecting historical performance practice with contemporary audiences.

Concerts are often followed by informal gatherings (Nachspiel) with wine and tapas included, fostering exchange between artists and audiences.