Mascarade Opera presents Tristia: Romantic Journeys

Florence – From Beethoven’s poetic expression to the searching introspection of late Liszt and the exuberance of Dvořák’s finale, Tristia: Romantic Journeys explores three distinct musical worlds through the interplay of violin, cello and piano. The concert takes place on Saturday 24 October 2026 at 7 pm at Palazzo Corsini al Prato, Florence, as part of Mascarade Opera’s 2026/27 season.

The performers are pianist Julia Lynch, Artistic Director of Mascarade Opera, violinist Tijmen Huisingh and cellist Johan van Iersel. The programme brings together Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Trio in E-flat major, Op. 70 No. 2, Franz Liszt’s Tristia, S. 378a, in its original 1880 version, and Antonín Dvořák’s Piano Trio No. 3 in F minor, Op. 65.

At the heart of the evening is the work that gives the concert its title. Tristia is a reworking for piano trio of Vallée d’Obermann, a piano piece from Années de pèlerinage inspired by Étienne Pivert de Senancour’s novel Obermann. As Julia Lynch explains in her programme notes, the first version preserves the expansive scope of the solo piano score, developing it into an intense exchange between the three instruments. The string lines and harmonic tensions evoke an inner landscape marked by solitude and unease.

Framing Liszt are two works of contrasting character. In his Trio, Op. 70 No. 2, Beethoven combines lyricism and grace with a vibrant finale and playful exchanges between the three instruments. Dvořák’s Trio, Op. 65, offers a rich expressive range, moving through Bohemian dance rhythms, elegiac passages and vivid contrasts towards a radiant conclusion in F major.

The evening brings together three established musicians with distinguished careers on the European concert stage. Julia Lynch, Artistic Director of Mascarade Opera, has performed at major events including the BBC Proms and the Edinburgh International Festival. Alongside her work as a performer, she shapes Mascarade Opera’s artistic programme, creating opportunities for emerging artists to work with established musicians.

Since 2020, violinist Tijmen Huisingh has served as Associate Concertmaster of the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra. He also pursued advanced studies at the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole, attending its international competition preparation course under Pavel Vernikov and Oleksandr Semchuk. Completing the trio is Johan van Iersel, Associate Principal Cellist of Amsterdam’s Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, one of the world’s most prestigious orchestras.

The concert forms part of Mascarade Opera’s 2026/27 season, which presents chamber music alongside operatic repertoire, giving audiences opportunities to hear both emerging artists and internationally established performers.

Doors open at 6 pm, and the concert begins at 7 pm. Tickets are available through Evients at €20, with a reduced price of €10 for under-35s.

About Mascarade Opera

Based at Palazzo Corsini al Prato in Florence, Mascarade Opera is the New Generation Foundation’s programme combining support for the next generation of opera artists with a season of operatic productions, concerts and recitals featuring internationally renowned performers.

Led by Dr Ralph Strehle, with artistic direction by Julia Lynch, Mascarade Opera supports singers and répétiteurs as they launch their careers through personalised development, stage experience and professional opportunities, working in partnership with European opera houses and agencies. Selected artists receive scholarships covering the full costs of the programme and accommodation, together with an annual living allowance.

Alongside its Emerging Artists Programme, Mascarade Opera presents performances ranging from opera to chamber music, bringing audiences together with young talent and established international musicians.

Biographies

Julia Lynch, piano
Artistic Director of Mascarade Opera

Julia Lynch is Artistic Director of Mascarade Opera in Florence. After more than thirty years as a senior member of the vocal faculty at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, she moved to Florence in 2019 to devote herself fully to Mascarade Opera.

An acclaimed vocal coach and collaborative pianist, she has worked with internationally renowned artists including Anthony Roth Costanzo, Michael Spyres, Lawrence Brownlee, Sir Thomas Allen, Roderick Williams and Marina Prudenskaya, as well as emerging performers. Her international career has taken her to London, Tokyo and Geneva, and to major festivals including the BBC Proms, the Edinburgh International Festival and the Bayreuth Festival.

She has worked with conductors including Sir Andrew Davis, Kent Nagano, Christian Thielemann and Kirill Petrenko. Also active as a chamber musician, she has performed with numerous distinguished international artists, including Tijmen Huisingh and Johan van Iersel. She also founded Trio Mascarade with Tijmen Huisingh and clarinettist Ross Montgomery.

Tijmen Huisingh, violin

Tijmen Huisingh is a versatile violinist, much in demand as a chamber musician, guest concertmaster and director of ensembles including the Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the Netherlands Symphony Orchestra.

From 2017 to 2021, he led the Edinburgh Quartet, and he was also a member of the Royal Northern Sinfonia. Since 2020, he has served as Associate Concertmaster of the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra.

He has performed at leading international chamber music festivals across Europe and the United States and took part in The Bach Concertos European tour with Janine Jansen. His recordings include Fuerza with the Kraayenhof Tango Ensemble and Pearl with Combattimento.

He studied at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and the Scuola di Musica di Fiesole, pursuing advanced studies with Pavel Vernikov and Oleksandr Semchuk. He plays a Venetian violin made by Sanctus Serafin in 1750 and a Caressa-Français bow, both on loan from the Dutch Musical Instruments Foundation (NMF).

Johan van Iersel, cello

Johan van Iersel studied cello with Elias Arizcuren at the Utrecht Conservatory, graduating with distinction in 1995. He continued his studies with Philippe Müller at the Paris Conservatoire and attended masterclasses with Siegfried Palm, Mstislav Rostropovich and Heinrich Schiff.

Since 1997, he has served as Co-Principal Cellist of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. A prizewinner at numerous competitions, including the Princess Christina Competition (1990), the Postbank Sweelinck Competition (1992) and the Silver Vriendenkrans Competition (1992), he maintains a busy concert schedule.

He is a member of the Vermeer Trio, alongside pianist Jeroen Bal and violinist Tjeerd Top, and of Camerata RCO. He was previously a member of the Escher Trio. He regularly appears as a soloist with leading orchestras, including the Concertgebouw Orchestra and the Residentie Orchestra.

Since 2005, he has played a cello made by Francesco Ruggieri in Cremona in 1687, on loan from the Concertgebouworkest Foundation.

TRISTIA: ROMANTIC JOURNEYS

Saturday 24 October 2026, 7 pm
Doors open at 6 pm
Palazzo Corsini al Prato
Via Il Prato 56, Florence

Tijmen Huisingh, violin
Johan van Iersel, cello
Julia Lynch, piano

Music by Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Liszt and Antonín Dvořák

Tickets: €20
Under-35 concession: €10
Available through Evients

Further information:
www.newgenerationfoundation.com
info@newgenerationfoundation.com

PRESS CONTACTS

Giacomo Guerrini
+39 335 6063751
guerrini@incipitcomunicazione.it

Interviews and press accreditation: Elisa Nello
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en@newgenerationfoundation.com