International Music Academy Ludwigslust

Classical Academy in the Baroque City

With the International Music Academy Ludwigslust, Hansa Kultur GmbH created a platform for young classical music talents in Northern Germany in 2022. For five days in July, students from the region and internationally come to Ludwigslust to work in intensive masterclasses with top-tier professors from German music universities.

Artistic Direction and Subjects

The academy is artistically directed by Prof. Frank Thoenes. In 2026, four instruments will be the focus: oboe (Prof. Ralph van Daal), clarinet (Prof. Andreas Langenbuch, Düsseldorf), bassoon (Prof. Christian Kunert, Hamburg), and cello (Prof. Manuel Fischer-Dieskau, Mainz). Participants will work in both individual lessons and chamber music ensembles.

Public Concerts

Three concerts are accessible to the public: a workshop concert at DeveLUP, an opening concert in the baroque town church of Ludwigslust, and the grand finale concert in the Golden Hall of Ludwigslust Palace. This allows visitors who are not registered as participants to experience the academy.

Cooperation 2026

The 2026 edition marks the 5th iteration of the IML – for this occasion, the academy is cooperating even more closely with the Johann Matthias Sperger District Music School Ludwigslust-Parchim. Sperger, who worked as a court double bassist in Ludwigslust from 1789 until his death in 1812 and composed over 40 symphonies, is the namesake of the music school and a central figure in Ludwigslust's musical history.

Local Context

In the 18th century, Ludwigslust was an important residence city for the Dukes of Mecklenburg-Schwerin and developed a rich court music tradition. This musical history continues to shape the city's identity today. With palace concerts, the Sperger Festival, and the IML, Ludwigslust is one of the significant classical music venues in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district.