Maastricht - Netherlands

Classical Music Trip - The Art of Song Festival

Concerts, a private festival reception and masterclasses in February 2027

The Musical Highlight

From 23 to 28 February 2027, Maastricht will be celebrating the international music festival ‘The Art of Song’.

The festival brings together renowned singers and pianists with young talents. Concerts take place in historic venues around the Vrijthof, one of the city's most beautiful squares.

Under the theme ‘Pilgrimage of Song’, the festival explores musical journeys across different languages, cultures and generations, touching on themes of home, longing, love and memories.

For your music trip from 23 to 26 February 2026, we have selected two special concert evenings. You will also receive an invitation to a private festival opening reception and have the opportunity to attend public masterclasses.

A Private Reception to Open the Festival

Your musical journey begins on 23 February with a special event.

From 6.00 to 7.00 pm, you are invited to the opening reception at the Paleis van de Hoogproost.

Festival supporters, artists and guests will gather in the historic rooms to celebrate the opening of the festival. A short surprise concert is also planned.

The reception is normally reserved for invited guests and offers a lovely opportunity to experience the festival's atmosphere right from the start.

Opening Concert with Roderick Williams and Iain Burnside

That same evening, British baritone Roderick Williams and pianist Iain Burnside will open the festival at the Sint Janskerk on the Vrijthof.

Their programme, ‘Eight Haiku’, combines eight short Japanese poems with songs by Franz Schubert, Ludwig van Beethoven,

Benjamin Britten, Francis Poulenc, Gabriel Fauré, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Robert Schumann.

The haiku were written during the Second World War and reflect personal memories, separation and a longing for home.

Roderick Williams and Iain Burnside place selected songs spanning almost two centuries alongside these poems, creating an unusual programme in which poetry and music complement one another.

Roderick Williams is one of Britain's most sought-after baritones. Equally successful in opera, concert performances and song recitals,

he also performed at the coronation of King Charles III.

Iain Burnside is one of Britain's most respected accompanists and has worked with artists including Joyce DiDonato, Lawrence Brownlee and Dame Margaret Price.

Both musicians will be Artists in Residence at the 2027 festival.

Public Masterclasses with Roderick Williams and Iain Burnside

On 24 and 25 February, you will have the opportunity to see both musicians at work beyond the concert stage.

During the public masterclasses at the Sint Janskerk, young singers and pianists will work with Roderick Williams and Iain Burnside on their interpretations.

How does a song performance develop into a personal interpretation? What part do the words, language and musical expression play? And how do singer and pianist work together?

The two artists will share insights into their work, using practical examples to demonstrate how an interpretation develops step by step.

The masterclasses take place on both days from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.

To leave you plenty of time to explore Maastricht, you can choose which sessions you would like to attend.

Hugo Wolf's ‘Spanish Songbook’ at the Historic Spanish Government Building

Another special concert awaits you on 25 February.

At the Grand Café Soiron on the Vrijthof, soprano Mirella Hagen, baritone Vincent Kusters and pianist Doriana Tchakarova will perform Hugo Wolf's ‘Spanisches Liederbuch’ (Spanish Songbook).

The secular songs in this cycle are among the most expressive works of Romantic song literature and are rarely performed in their entirety.

Love, longing, jealousy, mockery, tenderness and melancholy follow one another in quick succession.

For this evening, the festival has brought together three musicians with a particular interest in the art song repertoire.

Mirella Hagen was a finalist at the International Hugo Wolf Competition in Stuttgart and has performed at the Bayreuth Festival,

Stuttgart State Opera and Opera Ballet Vlaanderen.

Vincent Kusters has won several international song competitions and has appeared at the Oxford International Song Festival and the Gstaad Menuhin Festival.

Doriana Tchakarova is an internationally acclaimed pianist specialising in song accompaniment, whose recordings have received several awards.

The venue itself also has an interesting history. Grand Café Soiron is located in the former Spanish Government building, dating from the 16th century, where Emperor Charles V once stayed.

At 7.00 pm, Dick Disselkoen, a specialist in German literature, poetry and opera, will give an introduction to Hugo Wolf's ‘Spanisches Liederbuch’. He will explore the relationship between words and music and the particular expressive qualities of these songs.

The concert begins at 8.00 pm.

Discover Maastricht

Maastricht lies on the River Meuse, just a few kilometres from the Belgian border.

The city is known for its historic squares and elegant townhouses.

The Vrijthof is particularly attractive, with the impressive Basilica of Saint Servatius and the Sint Janskerk, which also serves as a concert venue during the festival. From here, the old town is easy to explore on foot.

The Dominicanen bookshop is also well worth a visit. Housed in a former Gothic church, it is now one of Europe's most remarkable bookshops. You can browse books beneath the high vaulted ceilings and historic columns or stop for a coffee.

Across the River Meuse lies the Wyck district, with its lovely boutiques, galleries and restaurants.

Your Accommodation Options

We have selected two hotels for your stay. Both are centrally located in Maastricht, just a few minutes' walk from the festival venues.

Kruisherenhotel Maastricht *****

Your hotel is housed in a former 15th-century monastery, just a short walk from the Vrijthof. The former church is now home to Spencer's restaurant.

Deluxe Double Room with Breakfast

The individually furnished Deluxe Rooms measure approximately 30 m² and are located in the former monastery, the historic gatekeeper's house or the modern Casa Nova building.

Facilities include a Smart TV, air conditioning, a Nespresso coffee machine, minibar and a bathroom with a bath and/or shower.

Superior Room for Single Occupancy with Breakfast

The Superior Rooms measure approximately 22 m² and are also individually furnished.

Facilities include a king-size bed, Smart TV, air conditioning, a Nespresso coffee machine, minibar and a modern bathroom with a bath or shower.

Cousins Boutique Hotel ***

This small boutique hotel is tucked away in a quiet side street in Maastricht's historic centre, less than five minutes' walk from the Vrijthof.

The family-run hotel has just seven rooms, each decorated differently, with individually selected furniture and designer pieces.

Premium Double Room with Breakfast

The Premium Rooms measure approximately 27 m² and are individually furnished.

Facilities include an extra-large double bed, air conditioning, a seating area, Smart TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, minibar, coffee machine, kettle and safe. The bathroom has a shower.

Each room tells part of the story of the Scottish Campbell family, who once lived in the house.

The Premium Rooms are also available for single occupancy, including breakfast.

Music Travel Hideaways Special

With your booking confirmation, you will receive our personal Music & Culture Travel Guide to Maastricht, featuring recommendations for restaurants and cafés, walks through the old town and tips for discovering interesting places away from the main tourist attractions.

Travel Details

Travel Dates

23 to 26 February 2027 (4 days / 3 nights)

Festival: The Art of Song Maastricht 2027 ‘Pilgrimage of Song’

Tuesday, 23 February 2027, 6.00 to 7.00 pm

Private opening reception with a planned surprise concert

Paleis van de Hoogproost, Henric van Veldekeplein 29, Maastricht

Tuesday, 23 February 2027, 8.00 pm

Opening Concert ‘Eight Haiku’

Roderick Williams, baritone

Iain Burnside, piano

Sint Janskerk, Maastricht

Wednesday, 24 February 2027, 10.00 am to 5.00 pm

Public masterclasses with Roderick Williams and Iain Burnside

Sint Janskerk, Maastricht

Attend whichever sessions you prefer.

Thursday, 25 February 2027, 10.00 am to 5.00 pm

Public masterclasses with Roderick Williams and Iain Burnside

Sint Janskerk, Maastricht

Attend whichever sessions you prefer.

Thursday, 25 February 2027, 7.00 pm

Pre-concert introduction to Hugo Wolf's ‘Spanisches Liederbuch’ with Dick Disselkoen

Grand Café Soiron, Maastricht

Duration: approximately 30 minutes

Thursday, 25 February 2027, 8.00 pm

Hugo Wolf, ‘Spanisches Liederbuch’ (Spanish Songbook)

Mirella Hagen, soprano

Vincent Kusters, baritone

Doriana Tchakarova, piano

Grand Café Soiron, former Spanish Government building, Maastricht

Travel Prices

23 to 26 February 2027 (4 days / 3 nights)

Kruisherenhotel Maastricht

Price per person sharing a Deluxe Double Room with breakfast: from €680

Price for single occupancy in a Superior Room with breakfast: from €990

Cousins Boutique Hotel

Price per person sharing a Premium Double Room with breakfast: from €610

Price for single occupancy in a Premium Room with breakfast: from €1,130

What's Included?

• 3 nights at your chosen hotel with breakfast
• Invitation to the private opening reception on 23 February 2027 at the Paleis van de Hoogproost, including a planned surprise concert
• Festival pass for both concert evenings on 23 and 25 February 2027
• Opportunity to attend the public masterclasses on 24 and 25 February 2027
• Pre-concert introduction to Hugo Wolf's ‘Spanisches Liederbuch’ on 25 February 2027
• Music Travel Hideaways Special with our personal Music & Culture Travel Guide to Maastricht
• Personal advice and arrangements for any additional requests

Your Individual Journey

Maastricht is easily accessible by train.

From the railway station, it is just a short taxi ride to your hotel. If you are travelling by car, parking facilities may be available depending on your accommodation.

We will be happy to arrange your journey.

Additional nights and further festival concerts can also be arranged on request.

Send a No-Obligation Booking Enquiry

Or call us on +49 30 219 64804