As previously reported, EPICA will play a special show under the banner Classical Conspiracy on June 14th at Miskolc International Opera Festival in Hungary. The band will perform classical pieces from Mozart, Dvorak, Verdi, Orff, Prokofiev, Grieg, Vivaldi and symphonic versions of their own songs. The following is an excerpt from an interview keyboardist Coen Janssen conducted by the event organizers:

Q: What was your first idea when you heard about the invitation of Miskolc International Opera Festival?

Coen: "The first thing that went through my mind was probably that it was going to be a big opportunity but also a big challenge since it involves a lot of work. But who cares about a little work if you can play with a live orchestra and choir?"

Q: Epica has played only one classical concert, a short performance so far. Can you tell me something about it? What kind of feelings had you got when you was playing with orchestra and choir?

Coen: "That time was a lot easier then this one because it was only four songs. The orchestrations were done by the director of the orchestra so we didn’t have to work on that as well. It was a good first experience for us to play with an orchestra and choir. I think we learned a lot from it. You have to focus on different things when you play in a different setting then normal. For me personally it was also a strange experience because normally I play all the string-parts and other orchestral stuff on my keyboards, but now I only had to do the piano-parts and organ parts. But what I like the most is when you start to play and you are in the middle of the orchestra or choir! The sound of that is amazing and since you’re normally in front of the orchestra this is quite a unique experience."

Go to this location for the complete interview.