Songs for a (Mad) King
King George's path from the field into madness
PERFORMANCE
19 July 2025 – 7 p.m.
Festspielhaus, Seestudio
About
The British King George III. lived two conflicting lives: During the first years of his regency, he was known as “Farmer George”, a modest, devout and honest monarch who showed more interest in farming than having a magnificent court. This phase was characterized by a tight relationship with his family and the people. The last years of his life, however, were dominated by his madness. He had gone blind and almost deaf and suffered from dementia when he died isolated from his kingdom and reality.
Osmo Tapio Räihälä
Farmer George for baritone and ensemble – world premiere
Peter Maxwell Davies
Eight Songs for a Mad King for male voices and ensemble
Baritone
Thomas Florio
Violin
Sophie Heinrich
Violoncello
Mathias Johansen
Flute, piccolo
Ulrike Anton
Clarinet
Francesco Negrini
Piano
Cembalo Yunus Kaya
Percussion
Maximilian Näscher
