*** Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator ***

Mechernich/Mainz – Outside, it was cold and wintry, but inside, the council chamber was filled to capacity, with musical excellence and a warm atmosphere: with their traditional Epiphany concert, the "Mainzer Musici" once again made a musical statement in Mechernich Town Hall this year. The charity evening in aid of the severe and long-term care provided by the social welfare organisation Communio in Christo e.V. combined the highest artistic quality with a deeply social cause – and once again played to a sold-out house.

"There's no need for much advertising anymore," said Norbert Arnold, managing director of the social welfare organisation. Over the years, a loyal audience has developed that appreciates the special format, which is unique in the region. The fact that such a sophisticated classical concert takes place regularly in Mechernich and not in Cologne's Philharmonic Hall is anything but a matter of course. This makes the gratitude towards the musicians, who travelled specially from Mainz – arriving on the same day and returning late at night – all the greater. "This is an enormous effort, which is done entirely on a voluntary basis," emphasised Arnold.

"It was a long-held wish"

Musically, the "Mainzer Musici" under the direction of Professor Benjamin Bergmann spanned a subtle arc from baroque festivity to heartfelt romanticism. The concert began with Arcangelo Corelli's Concerto grosso op. 6, No. 8 "Fatto per la notte di Natale". The work, originally composed for the Christmas season, told the story of the journey from darkness to light – from the pastoral scene of the shepherds to the joyful annunciation. In keeping with Epiphany, this already brought the thematic circle full circle.

This continued with three arias from Mozart's Singspiel "Il re pastore" (The Shepherd King), which the 18-year-old composer had written for the Prince Archbishop of Salzburg on the occasion of a high-ranking visit. The soloist for the evening was the Korean coloratura soprano Jeeho Park, whose clear, luminous voice visibly moved the audience. Park, who trained at Seoul National University and is now a member of the Young Ensemble at the Mainz State Theatre, impressed with her technical precision and great expressiveness. Emanuel Reichert-Lübbert also shone with an almost ethereal violin solo that quickly captivated the audience with its precise tonal range.

Professor Bergmann explained a special musical connection: one of the arias already takes up the theme that Mozart later developed into the main motif of his third violin concerto. "It has long been my wish to make such inner connections tangible in concert," said Bergmann – a wish that came true for the first time in Mechernich.

Sounds that mean the world

The concert has been supported for years by medical professor Dr Paul-Georg Knapstein, who is personally committed to the charity series. Sponsors include the Rotary Club Mainz Churmeyntz, which finances the ensemble's bus travel, and the Kreissparkasse Euskirchen. The proceeds from the evening will go towards Communio's intensive and long-term care – an area in which people who are often barely visible in everyday society are cared for.

"Evenings like this are a strong sign of appreciation – for our residents, but also for the work of our employees," said facility manager Sonja Plönnes, who took a seat in the front row alongside Norbert Arnold and Communio General Superior Jaison Thazhathil, among others. Especially for people in intensive care, it means a lot to feel that "something is being done for them" and that their reality is being publicly acknowledged.

An emotional highlight followed after a "rousing encore" at the end: with Brahms' "Guten Abend, gute Nacht" (Good evening, good night), the ensemble and soprano bid farewell to a visibly moved audience. The heartfelt singing brought the evening to a quiet and dignified close.

Once again, it was clear that perfection and enthusiasm are the hallmarks of the "Mainzer Musici". But it was not only musical excellence that made the Epiphany Concert so special. It was the palpable connection between artists, organisers and audience – and the certainty that music is more than just art here: it is a means of enhancing quality of life and building bridges.

pp/Agentur ProfiPress