Kunst im Turm

"When angels amuse themselves..."

Michael Schade, Momoko Nakajima, Felix Gutschi & Reinhard Führer

19 November 2019

Ringturm, on the 20th floor

On Tuesday evening, 19 November, Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein invited to “Kunst im Turm” with tenor Michael Schade, director of the International Baroque Days at Melk Abbey.

Baroque Angel Voices in the Vienna Ringturm

On the picture from left to right: Reinhard Führer, singer Michael Schade, Momoko Nakajima, Felix Gutschi and Helene Kanta (Member of the Managing Board of Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein). © Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein / Richard Tanzer
On the picture from left to right: Reinhard Führer, singer Michael Schade, Momoko Nakajima, Felix Gutschi and Helene Kanta (Member of the Managing Board of Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein). © Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein / Richard Tanzer

It was cheeky and loud, but just as contemplative and atmospheric on Tuesday evening, November 19, on the 20th floor of the Ringturm. At the invitation of Günter Geyer, Chairman of the Managing Board of Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein, singer Michael Schade presented “Wenn Engel sich vergnügen …” (“When Angels amuse themselves…”) and engaged three exceptional young talents: soprano Momoko Nakajima, flutist Felix Gutschi and Reinhard Führer at the spinet.

Under the direction of Michael Schade, one of the leading tenors of our time, the performers offered musical perspectives on the International Baroque Days 2020, but also indulged in memories of long past baroque days in the Benedictine monastery Melk Abbey.

“The Melk Abbey was one of the founding members of our house, and then as now we are very fond of the Benedictine Abbey. Together with Wiener Städtische, we are the general sponsor of the International Baroque Days, which are highly esteemed far beyond Austria’s borders. Against this background, I am particularly pleased to welcome Michael Schade and his guests here at the Ringturm”, explains Günter Geyer, Chairman of the Managing Board of Wiener Städtische Versicherungsverein.

Felix Gutschi is a student of Dorothee Oberlinger at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Momoko Nakajima is studying with Michael Schade in Vienna and has already performed with the Concentus Musicus Vienna at the International Baroque Days. Reinhard Führer studied harpsichord in Vienna, has since performed with leading Austrian early music ensembles and teaches at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.