HAMBURGER RATSMUSIK - Germany

Today, the Hamburger Ratsmusik can look back on half a millennium of musical history in Hamburg, as it was in 1522 that the city first employed town players. From then on, the city afforded an elite ensemble of eight musicians based on the principle “to honor God and Hamburg for pleasure, amusement and utility”.

Revived by Simone Eckert in 1991, the ensemble has continued this tradition for more than 30 years, dedicating itself with unwaning enthusiasm to historically informed performance on original instruments. The sound of these rare instruments, some of which are more than 300 years old, continues to intrigue and inspire both the “Ratsmusicians” and their audiences.

Maria Aurora von Königsmarck (1662-1728), was born and grew south of Hamburg. She was the mistress of August the Strong of Saxony and made the acquaintance of Johann Mattheson in Hamburg. He dedicated his Neu=Eröffnete Orchestre to the glamorous countess, which still is a main publication for historical performance practice today. Mattheson‘s cantata Aurora, dove sei?, celebrating the goddess of dawn might be seen as a tribute to the highly educated and cultivated countess, who is buried in the cathedral in Quedlinburg.

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with Hanna Zumsande, soprano & Hamburger Ratsmusik