About the festival

Welcome to the new site of the Stift International Music Festival!

Over the last six years Stift has gained a reputation as a chamber music festival of the highest level, with inspiring artists performing by candlelight in the unique setting of the acoustically excellent, very atmospheric and intimate 14th century Stiftkerk in Weerselo, which is set in idyllic surroundings . The lunchtime concerts are given in in the lovely, ancient Koetshuis in Oldenzaal.

The theme of our festival this  year is "Cities of dreams - Magical Journeys". Evocative journeys will include the Orient Express, taking us to Istanbul, with some wonderful stopovers, we visit the cities of the north in the lands of fire and ice, for an evening of music that is both stark and incredibly passionate. In the footsteps of Tchaikowsky we travel around Italy and we follow Korngold on his voyage from child prodigy in Vienna to his succes Hollywood. Tunde Jegede takes us on a very personal journey to Mali, in 'Exile and return' and after a teatime in London we spend the evening in Buenos Aires with bandoneon star Marcelo Nisinman. The Wednesday night will feature three interior journeys, by Palestrina, Osvaldo Golijov and Richard Strauss, some of the most touching music imaginable... and the festival finale is a festive evening in Vienna, delving into the rich musical treasures of that veritable City of dreams!

It is wonderful to welcome old and new friends,  some of Europe’s most exciting soloists and chamber musiciansto, to name but a few, Ivry Gitlis, Virpi Räisänen, the Brodsky Quartet, Chen Halevi, Priya Mitchell, Bengt Forsberg, Polina Lescheno, Marcelo Nisinman - performing a stunning program of concerts that will plunge the emotional depths!

The full concert program, artist list, masterclass details and more is now available on  this website. Please don’t hesitate to contact the festival office with any inquiries you may have, they will be more than happy to assist.

I look forward to that unique combination of passion, warmth, intimacy, informality, energy and great atmosphere that so defines Stift.  It would  be a pleasure to welcome you to Twente in August and September!

Daniel Rowland, artistic director