Music:
Robert Schumann: Phantasiestücke for piano, violin and cello, op. 88
Felix Mendelssohn: Trio for Piano and Strings No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 49
Franz Schubert: Trio for piano and strings n°1 in B flat major, op.99 D898

The Solsberg Festival is an annually held classical music festival in Olsberg and Rheinfelden (AG) under the artistic direction of cellist Sol Gabetta. Since 2006, the festival has brought together internationally renowned musicians from Sol Gabetta's musical friends to celebrate chamber music together in the distinctive atmospheres of the sacred-baroque venues along the Hochrhein.

The history of Olsberg Convent can be traced back to the year 1234. Named ‘Hortus Dei’ (Garden of God), it was relocated from its original site near St. Urban to Olsberg in 1236. Responsibility for secular matters lay with the Habsburgs until it was handed over to the newly established canton of Aargau. Until 1748, it was under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Cistercian Abbey in Lucelle, Alsace; during the latter years of its history, it answered to Salem Abbey and finally Tennenbach Abbey. With the break-up of the old Swiss Confederation, the fate of Olsberg Convent too was sealed once and for all: in 1802 it was secularised, the nuns were pensioned off, and the convent’s treasures were declared state property. By 1807, a school had already been established on the convent premises for the daughters of aristocratic families. This institute was eventually to become one of the first teacher training centres for women in the canton. In 1835 the cantonal parliament demanded a change in its admission policy, opening it up fully to all female students regardless of background. In 1860, the private sponsors agreed that the canton of Aargau should take over the institution and convent site. The church was extensively renovated between 1971 and 1981 and the knights’ lodgings refurbished throughout. The church originally extended further to the west. The old outline is still visible where the wall runs around the forecourt. Above the central window is a statue of St. Bernard of Clairvaux, the leading figure in the Cistercian Order. The original was replaced by a copy in 1977 and can be found inside the church in front of the stairs leading up to the gallery. The convent site underwent a complete renovation between 1986 and 1995.

Cast: Baiba Skride (Violin), Sol Gabetta (Cello), Nicholas Angelich (Piano)