For over a decade, The Erlkings have been performing on concert stages across Europe: Wigmore Hall in London, the Konzerthaus Berlin, the Wiener Konzerthaus, the Schubertiade Hohenems, and many more.

Now Bryan Benner, Thomas Toppler, Simon Teurezbacher, and Ivan Turkalj are returning to Porgy & Bess—the place where so much began for the band.

The evening will focus on songs by Ludwig van Beethoven. Two hundred years after his death, The Erlkings approach the composer not as an unapproachable monument, but as a subtle songwriter whose music continues to move listeners deeply to this day. The program is complemented by works by other composers that reflect, expand upon, or engage in a dialogue with Beethoven’s musical world.

With their own arrangements and their unmistakable musical language, The Erlkings open up new perspectives on the classical art song repertoire. In doing so, they combine the expressiveness and depth of the originals with freshness, a joy of performance, and great musical curiosity. The result is a concert evening that allows listeners to hear familiar works anew and brings hidden facets of well-known pieces to light.

For this special occasion, the ensemble will be joined by Neapolitan mandolinist Marcello Smigliante Gentile. With his virtuosic and resonant playing, he enriches the program with an additional dimension and draws on the musical traditions that also inspired Beethoven and his contemporaries.

A special evening at Porgy & Bess—featuring music by Beethoven and his contemporaries, performed by The Erlkings and Marcello Smigliante Gentile.