Queen Christina 400 years – queen and muse

From the throne in Stockholm to the art center in Rome.

CoCo celebrates 400 years with music from her dramatic and inspiring journey.

The story of Queen Christina of Sweden is worthy of a television series. Born in Stockholm in 1626 and deceased in Rome in 1689, she lived a life filled with drama, power, and upheaval.
Her father, King Gustav II Adolf, fell in the Thirty Years' War in 1632, and although Christina was only six years old, she was proclaimed Queen of Sweden. As regent from 1644, she was deeply respected as a skilled politician and recognized for her knowledge of philosophy, art, and science.

But at just 28 years of age, she abdicated the throne, left Sweden, and rode disguised as a man through Denmark to Germany and the Netherlands before continuing on to Innsbruck. There she converted to Catholicism and eventually ended up in Italy, where she was welcomed as a heroine—carried through the streets of Rome on a golden chair designed by Bernini.

Much of Christina's journey and life is well documented – including her passion for art and music. In 1656, she founded the Arcadia Academy in Rome, where the greatest thinkers and artists of the time discussed literature, science, and music. Composers such as Scarlatti, Corelli, Stradella, and Pasquini were among the members – and are today regarded as some of the most innovative and expressive figures of the Italian Baroque. Even Corelli's Opus 1, with 12 trio sonatas, was dedicated to Queen Christina.

Concerto Copenhagen celebrates the 400th anniversary of Queen Christina with a concert that follows her life journey from Stockholm, through dramatic Europe, and on to Rome. Along the way, we hear some of the music she encountered, inspired, and left her mark on.