PRIDE IN CONCERT - Forget me not

Queer musicians play and sing works by queer composers

Frédéric Chopin was gay. And he barely concealed this during his lifetime, even openly discussing his love in his lyrics: "A handsome guy, what more could you want". And yet he had to be dead for 171 years before anyone acknowledged his queerness. Chopin is not the only one whose sexuality was tabooed during his lifetime and covered up posthumously, as many historical figures were subject to the constraints of "coding" and had to hide their innermost feelings.

Countless biographies of composers have been altered beyond recognition for the benefit of the heteronormative gaze; only in their music does their true love shine through for those in the know. The moderated song recital "Forget me not" brings the life stories of queer composers to life for the audience. The queer singers Tim Stolte, Daniel Philipp Witte, Rhonda Browne and pianist Annalena Hoesel put their skills at the service of their predecessors, creating vivid portraits of the historical personalities and expanding the audience's listening experience.

Experience works by P. I. Tchaikovsky, Ethel Smyth, Frédéric Chopin, Peggy Glanville-Hicks, Benjamin Britten, Leonard Bernstein and Henriëtte Bosmans.