Venetian splendour in Berlin: a heartfelt New Year’s celebration

By Mengguang Huang, 02 January 2026

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“idiomatic yet never formulaic”

Reviewed at Philharmonie: Großer Saal, Berlin on 1 January 2026

Gabrieli, Angelus ad pastores ait

Cavalli, Musiche sacrae no. 1: Kyrie, Gloria

Gabrieli, Hodie Christus natus est

Monteverdi, Cantate Domino, Motette Psalm 97, 95

Cavalli, Musiche sacrae no. 1: Credo

Bassano, Laetatur caeli

Cavalli, Musiche sacrae no. 1: Sanctus, Benedictus

Gabrieli, O Magnum Mysterium

Cavalli, Musiche sacrae no. 1: Agnus Dei

Monteverdi, Selva Morale e Spirituale (Gloria à 7)

RIAS Kammerchor Berlin

Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin

Justin Doyle, Conductor

A compelling concert from the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin in Dublin

Andrew Larkin, 7th May

The Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin delivers an exciting concert of early Classical works from Mozart, Haydn, Gluck and Telemann.

****1

Spinning the Wheel of Fortune: Vivaldi's Il Giustino in Berlin

Elena Luporini, 20th November

A new production of Vivaldi's Byzantine opera Il Giustino charms Berlin, thanks to René Jacobs' exemplary conducting and a top-level cast led by Christophe Dumaux.

****1

A gripping Return of Ulysses from Opera Collective Ireland

Andrew Larkin, 7th September

Fine singing all round, sensitive continuo musicianship and dramatic action make for a thoroughly enjoyable Return of Ulysses by Monteverdi.

****1

A heavy crown: austere Monteverdi at the Staatsoper

Hugo Shirley, 13th December

The Staatsoper's new L'incoronazione di Poppea is serious, intelligent but short on fire.

***11

Silver threads and golden needles

Mark Thomas, 29th June

Isabelle Faust joined the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin in finely honed performances of Bach violin concertos and a rarely performed version of an orchestral suite.

****1

AKAMUS struggles with Bach in Barcelona

Pep Gorgori, 11th May

Clemens Flick (harpsichord) and Christoph Huntgeburth (flute) gave an impressive performance as soloists, while the orchestra wasn’t able to play as well as expected.

**111

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Mengguang Huang

Mengguang Huang is a Hamburg-based project manager in the construction industry. With a strong passion for classical music, he was introduced to the world of early music during his time in the UK, where he developed a particular fondness for renaissance and Baroque vocal music. Driven by his love for this genre, he now makes it a priority to attend major Baroque opera productions and concerts across Western Europe whenever possible, continuing to deepen his appreciation for this rich musical tradition.