Hohenloher Kultursommer — Opening Concert

40 Years of Festival in a Historic Region

The Hohenloher Kultursommer celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026. Founded in 1987 as a classical music series in the castles and monasteries of Hohenlohe, the festival has become one of Baden-Württemberg's most important classical series. It is organized by the Kulturstiftung Hohenlohe, based in Künzelsau. Traditional venues such as Neuenstein Castle, Schöntal Monastery, Bartenstein Castle, Öhringen Collegiate Church, and over twenty other historic event locations in the Hohenlohe district are used.

Opening Concert in the Rittersaal

The anniversary opening concert will take place on Saturday, June 6, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Rittersaal of Neuenstein Castle — one of Southern Germany's most significant Renaissance halls. The program includes: 'Ein Konzert für Hohenlohe' with works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Antonín Dvořák, and the world premiere of a commissioned composition by Swiss composer Christof Begert.

Soloists and Orchester der Klangverwaltung München

The soloists are Munich-based violinist Rebekka Hartmann — Echo Klassik award winner, sought-after chamber musician, and soloist on major European stages — and Berlin-based Japanese-German violist Hiyoli Togawa, who regularly performs her projects bridging classical and new music at the Berlin and Munich concert halls. They will be accompanied by the Orchester der Klangverwaltung München, the renowned top Munich ensemble under Enoch zu Guttenberg.

Neuenstein Castle as Festival Seat

Neuenstein Castle belongs to the House of Hohenlohe-Oehringen and is one of the few completely preserved Renaissance castles in Baden-Württemberg. The Rittersaal, with its stucco ceilings and original wood paneling, offers around 200 seats and is considered an acoustically outstanding concert space — an opening that immediately positions Hohenlohe confidently as a festival region.