International Festival for Vocal Music «a cappella» Leipzig
26th International Festival for Vocal Music from May 1st to 9th, 2026 in Leipzig
About a cappella Festival Leipzig
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Vocal Music in the City of the Thomaskantors
Leipzig boasts one of the world's richest vocal music traditions: Bach and Mendelssohn served as Thomaskantors here, one of Europe's oldest boys' choirs (Thomanerchor since 1212) is based here, and the 19th-century German Lied repertoire was significantly shaped here. It was therefore almost inevitable that a festival should emerge in the late 1990s to bring together the entire spectrum of vocal music in Leipzig. The a cappella Festival, founded in 1997 by the Leipzig vocal ensemble amarcord, is now Germany's most important festival for vocal music in the broadest sense — from early polyphony to contemporary pop vocal arrangements, from classical to jazz, from liturgical music to folk traditions.
Program Philosophy: Not Genre Bridges, but a Genre Mosaic
The festival doesn't program a favorite genre — it showcases the entire spectrum. The 2026 program features side-by-side: the Spanish Renaissance ensemble La Grande Chapelle performing Tomás Luis de Victoria's Mass for the Dead from 1605, the traditional Armenian Nairyan Ensemble, the Slovenian women's ensemble Ingenium with their program journey «Journey of Life», the British pop vocal artistry of I Fagiolini, the American jazz vocal arrangements of the New York Voices, the German family vocal theatre of anders, and the Georgian award-winning ensemble The Bookmarks. Each concert is curated for its appropriate venue — Renaissance works in Bach's Thomaskirche, pop concerts in the Gewandhaus, family concerts in open theaters.
Open Stage, Academy, Masterclasses
In addition to concerts, several open formats are part of the festival concept. On May 2nd, the musical picnic «Open Stage» takes place on Augustusplatz — a free open-air stage where vocal groups from Leipzig and the region can perform. The a cappella Academy from May 6th to 9th is a workshop for aspiring vocal ensembles with masterclasses by international instructors (including Stephen Connolly from The King's Singers). Furthermore, there are public lectures (Prof. Michael Fuchs on vocal physiology), artist talks («Meet the Legend!» with Simon Carrington), and academic showcases.
Cooperation with Oper Leipzig
A special feature of the 2026 edition: The festival opening on May 1st is a collaboration with the Oper Leipzig — the host ensemble amarcord opens with the program «To spring» on the opera stage. This connection between the festival and the opera underscores the a cappella Festival's position as a cultural hub in Leipzig's musical landscape. The festival's grand finale on May 9th in the Gewandhaus's Great Hall summarizes the festival's highlights — one of the most sought-after tickets of the festival season.
a cappella Festival Leipzig — edition 2026
26th a cappella Festival — Program May 1st–9th, 2026
Nine festival days, a packed program, international top ensembles from Europe, Asia, and America. The 2026 a cappella Festival continues the proven concept of genre diversity, educational offerings, and prominent venues.
The opening on May 1st features the host ensemble amarcord with the program «To spring» on the stage of the Oper Leipzig. The following day, the city opens up with the free Open Stage on Augustusplatz — a musical picnic where Leipzig and regional vocal groups present their programs. The highlights of the festival week are the concerts by international ensembles: La Grande Chapelle with Renaissance polyphony, New York Voices with jazz vocal arrangements, I Fagiolini celebrating an anniversary, the Armenian Nairyan Ensemble, and the Slovenian Ingenium Ensemble. The festival concludes on May 9th with the Grand Finale in the Great Hall of the Gewandhaus.
Programme a cappella Festival Leipzig 2026
Main Concerts May 1st–9th, 2026
- May 1st (Opening): amarcord (Germany) «To spring» — Oper Leipzig
- May 2nd: Open Stage Augustusplatz — Musical Picnic (free) | La Grande Chapelle (Spain) — Tomás Luis de Victoria's Requiem | anders — Family Concert
- May 3rd: The Bookmarks (Georgia) — Winner's Concert | anders — Evening Concert
- May 4th: I Fagiolini (Great Britain) — Anniversary Concert
- May 5th: New York Voices (USA) — Evening Concert
- May 6th: Nairyan Ensemble (Armenia) — Concert of Armenian Vocal Music | Start of a cappella Academy
- May 7th: Ingenium Ensemble (Slovenia) — «Journey of Life» | Academy Masterclass with Stephen Connolly
- May 8th: Academy Showcase | Public Lecture Prof. Michael Fuchs | «Meet the Legend!» with Simon Carrington
- May 9th (Closing): Grand Finale — Festival Highlights in the Great Hall of the Gewandhaus
Detailed program with times and venues at a-cappella-festival.de. Tickets via the festival website and the respective venues.
Highlights a cappella Festival Leipzig 2026
- Opening at Oper Leipzig with amarcord
- Open Stage Augustusplatz (free admission) on May 2nd
- La Grande Chapelle — Tomás Luis de Victoria's Requiem
- New York Voices — Jazz vocal arrangements from the USA
- I Fagiolini — British anniversary concert
- Nairyan Ensemble (Armenia) — Traditional polyphony
- a cappella Academy with masterclass by Stephen Connolly
- Grand Finale in the Great Hall of the Gewandhaus
- 26th edition since 1997
Prices a cappella Festival Leipzig 2026
Admission varies per concert — detailed prices on the festival website. Open Stage on May 2nd on Augustusplatz: free admission. Tickets via a-cappella-festival.de and the respective venues.
Practical information — a cappella Festival Leipzig
Date 2026
May 1st to 9th, 2026 (26th edition).
Venues
Oper Leipzig (Augustusplatz 12), Gewandhaus (Augustusplatz 8), Thomaskirche, Nikolaikirche, Mendelssohn Hall, as well as the Open Stage on Augustusplatz. 04109 Leipzig.
Admission / Tickets
Ticket prices vary depending on the concert and venue. Tickets are available via a-cappella-festival.de, Leipzig Tourist Information, and the regular ticketing systems of the venues. Open Stage on May 2nd: free admission.
Getting There
By train: Leipzig Hauptbahnhof (main station), then take tram 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 16 to the Augustusplatz/Gewandhaus stop (approx. 5 min). All venues are within walking distance in the city center. By car: Augustusplatz or Petersbogen parking garages.
Organizer
Vokalensemble amarcord e.V. / Festival a cappella, more information at a-cappella-festival.de.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place a cappella Festival Leipzig
Gewandhaus, Oper Leipzig, Augustusplatz und weitere Konzerthäuser
Augustusplatz und verschiedene Spielstätten, 04109 Leipzig