The wedding celebrations of Archduke Leopold V and Claudia de’ Medici in Innsbruck in 1626
The wedding of Leopold and Claudia 400 years ago in Innsbruck’s Court Church was an occasion for the most splendid, truly princely music. There are several reports of the festivities, which we take as an opportunity to reconstruct the grand mass, which ended with a pompous Te Deum “with timpani and trumpets”. The musical organiser of the festival and composer of the festive mass was the famous Innsbruck court conductor Johann Stadlmayr. His music is a highlight of the early Baroque period and his name was known throughout Europe. For the wedding celebrations, he probably brought all his artistry to bear, as the aim was to impress the international audience. Claudia de’ Medici brought the splendour and magnificence of the Florentine court to Innsbruck. There was a correspondingly great need to emulate the Florentines on public occasions of such importance, as in the case of the princely wedding of 1626, and not least to enhance the prestige of the Tyrolean Habsburg princes with exquisite music.
BONUS: 6 pm introduction with music
