For six weeks each summer, the concert halls, castles, courtyards and churches of Graz are filled with music performed by AIMS participants. For performance dates and repertoire, visit the Planned Repertoire page: http://aimsgraz.com/the-program/concerts-repertoire/
AIMS Summer Festival Orchestra Concerts in Graz (Singers & Instrumentalists)
Five concerts are presented with the AIMS Festival Orchestra in Graz and may be repeated outside of Graz, depending on bookings. The music and singers (from the Opera Studio) are selected by the Casting Committee. Solo, duet and ensemble pieces from opera, and symphonic works and operatic overtures are included. Scenes from one or more operas may be presented in concert setting. These are performed in the Stefaniensaal, a beautiful concert hall in Graz. The concert devoted to operetta is performed in the Kasematten (ruin of the prison on the Schlossberg). Usually, one of these concerts is repeated in Kunsthaus Weiz and other small cities outside Graz. The final concert with orchestra presents the AIMS Meistersinger Vocal Competition finalists in the Helmut-List-Halle, a large modern hall with excellent acoustics. A gala evening and fitting finale to a summer of wonderful performances!
Lieder Concerts (Singers & Collaborative Pianists)
Four Lieder concerts (two concerts by each Lieder coaching studio) are presented by the Lieder Studio artists. Performance venues include the Meerscheinschlössl, a small palace near Karl-Franzen Universität, the Odilien-Institut, the Landeskrankenhaus Kirche and the beautiful Minoritensaal.
Opening Ceremony (Singers & Instrumentalists)
AIMS opens each year with a festive ceremony, consisting of orchestral and choral music and short speeches by dignitaries of the City of Graz, the Province of Styria, and the American Embassy in Vienna.
Opening Reception (Singers & Instrumentalists)
The Governor of Styria welcomes AIMS at Schloss Eggenberg in the beautiful Planetensaal (Hall of the Planets) Ballroom. It’s a time to dress up! Brass players welcome us into the courtyard, and AIMS Festival Orchestra members and the AIMS Chorale present musical selections. Open-faced sandwiches, wine, beer, apple juice, and water are served.
AIMS Artists in Recital (Singers, Collaborative Pianists & Instrumentalists)
These recitals present selected AIMS singers, collaborative pianists and instrumentalists.
Kammermusik – Instrumental Chamber Music Concert (Instrumentalists)
One chamber music concert is presented by the musicians of the AIMS Orchestra in Graz.
American Spirituals Concerts (Singers)
Austrians love American spirituals! AIMS participants present an hour-long program in one or more churches in/around Graz. Dress for this concert: Ladies – floor-length gowns with modest necklines and shoulders covered. (No exceptions) Men – dark suits with ties.
Broadway Concerts (Singers)
American Broadway songs are presented in two concerts.
Italian Songs & Arias Concerts (Singers)
A concert of Italian opera arias and songs is presented twice.
Spanish Concerts (Singers)
Songs in Spanish from Spain/Latin America and arias from Zarzuelas are presented in venues in and around Graz.
AIMS in Graz churches (Singers, Collaborative Pianists & Instrumentalists)
Sunday mornings, AIMS soloists present sacred music of their choice at mass. Instrumentalists are welcome, too.
Additional performances (Singers)
The Casting Committee chooses performers to present programs suitable for the audiences consisting of vocal solos, ensembles and instrumental works. Repertoire varies from opera to Broadway. These are presented in and around Graz utilizing indoor and outdoor venues. Venues have included Graz Altstadt courtyards, a Sunday morning brunch at the Graz Stadtmuseum, a benefit for children with heart defects in Unterpremstätten, the Leibnitz Kunsthaus (a benefit for the Lions Club), the Leoben Stadttheater and others.