(Credit: Vanessa Francia)

The Venice Music Biennale has announced its 2021 program, which is set to take place between Sept. 17-26.

Among the major highlights of the festival will be the honoring of composer Kaija Saariaho with the Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award as well as 15 world premieres. Here is a rundown of the festival.

It all kicks off with a ceremony honoring Saariaho’s career, followed by a performance of her “Oltra Mar” for choir and orchestra in a program that also includes music by Debussy / Abrahamsen. The concert features the choir and orchestra of the Teatro La Fenice under Ernest Martinez-Isquierdo

Performance Date: Sept. 17, 2021

Conductor Clement Mao-Takacs and director Aleksi Barriere will lead a co-production of Saariaho’s “Only the Sound Remains. The co-production is between  La Biennale di Venezia, Tokio Bunka Kaikan, Palau de la Musica, Tampere Hall.

Performance Date: Sept. 18, 2021

There will be a performance of Lewis’ “Amo” for five voices and live electronics as well as Newski’s “Die Enfachen” for six voices. The performance will feature Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart.

Performance Date: Sept. 19, 2021

Lang’s “Little Match Girl Passion” and Pärt’s “Stabat Mater” will be performed by Parco della Musica Contemporanea Ensemble

Performance Date: Sept. 19, 2021

Yuval Weinberg will lead Parco della Musica Contemporanea Ensemble and SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart in a performance of Feldman’s “The Rothko Chapel,” “Odeh-Tamimi’s “Timna,” and Filidei’s “Tutto in una Volta.”

Performance Date: Sept. 20, 2021

Weinberg will lead Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart and SWR Vokalensemble Stuttgart in a performance of Aperghis’ “Wölfli Kantata.”

Performance Date: Sept. 21, 2021

There will also be a performance of Kubisch’s “Travelling Voices” as well as compositions by Willaert, Gabrieli, and Monteverdi performed by Cappella Marciana under conductor Marco Gemmani.

Performance Date: Sept. 21, 2021

Ensemble Vocale Evo will perform in a program that is yet to be announced.

Performance Date: Sept. 22, 2021

There will also be a performance of Gentilucci’s “Moving Still – Processional Crossings by Vocal Ensemble Sequenza 9.3, voices from the Conservatorio di Musica “Bendetto Marcello” singing class,” and soloists including Elisa Biagini, Irène Gayraud, Shara McCallum, and Evie Shockley, all under conductor Catherine Simonpietri and director Antonello Pocetti.

Performance Date: Sept. 22, 2021 

Gemmani will lead the Capella Marciana in a performance of Silvestrov’s “Liturgical Chants.”

Performance Date: Sept. 22, 2021

Saariaho’s “Reconnaissance” and “Tag des Jahrs” will be performed alongside Eldar’s “After Arethusa and Bussotti’s “For 24 Treble or Adult Voices.” Marcus Creed leads Accentus Choir.

Performance Date: Sept. 24, 2021 

There will be a performance of Walkshe’s “Is it Cool to Try Hard Now” for solo voice, film, and live electronics.

Performance Date: Sept. 25, 2021

There will also be a performance of Frempong’s “Change and Chance” for solo voice and live electronics.

Performance Date: Sept. 25, 2021

The Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart will perform music by Francesconi, Cabizza, and Navas.

Performance Date: Sept. 26, 2021

The festival ends with a new production featuring music by Carcassi, Reke, and Lee.

Performance Date: Sept. 26, 2021