Isny Opera Festival

38 Years of Classical Music in the Allgäu

The Isny Opera Festival, founded in 1988, is one of the oldest classical music festivals in Württemberg Allgäu. Artistic Director Hans-Christian Hauser builds the season year after year according to a proven scheme: in spring, Praliné Concerts in chapels and nursing homes in the region; in summer, the main production in the Isny Castle Park, plus concerts in St. Nikolaus and the Kurhaus. The 38th edition in 2026 runs from June 21st to 27th and is themed around operetta as folk art — with Robert Stolz's 'Himmelblaue Träume' as the central production.

Robert Stolz 'Himmelblaue Träume' in the Castle Park

The operetta 'Himmelblaue Träume' comes from the late works of the Austrian composer Robert Stolz (1880–1975), one of the most popular operetta composers of the 20th century (Frühjahrsparade, Im weißen Rößl, Du sollst nicht weinen). With 'Himmelblaue Träume', a particularly charming connection is made between Viennese waltz bliss and melancholic world theater. The open-air performances in the Isny Castle Park on June 25th and 27th, 2026, are the absolute highlight of the festival week. Additional performances will take place in Stuttgart and Munich.

Concert Opening on June 21st

The official start of the festival week is the concert on June 21st, 2026, featuring works by Richard Wagner and Gustav Mahler, as well as contemporary compositions. The selection reflects the festival's artistic profile: late Romantic repertoire combined with modern chamber music. Young soloists from the music academies of Stuttgart, Munich, and Vienna regularly perform, alongside renowned guest soloists and chamber ensembles.

Praliné Concerts and Midday Music

Before the actual festival week, the 'Praliné Concerts' have been running since April — intimate chamber music performances in village churches, chapels, castles, and nursing homes in the Allgäu region. The 25 to 40-minute programs are intended as gifts to residents and communities and are performed by string and wind ensembles from the music academies. In addition, since January, there have been 'Mittagsmusiken' (Midday Music) in the Kurhaus with piano programs by Bach, Schumann, and Chopin. A festival celebration on May 31st, 2026, with a Bach cantata in the Nikolaikirche, forms the spiritual bridge to the main festival.

Children's Opera on June 26th

Family programming is part of the festival's DNA: On June 26th, 2026, a children's version of 'Himmelblaue Träume' will be performed, shortened to one hour and with a child-friendly narrator. Another chamber performance on June 29th in the Festival House concludes the season. The entire concept aims to anchor classical music in the region — not just as high culture for connoisseurs, but as part of general cultural education.

Isny — Spa Town in the Allgäu Pre-Alps

Isny im Allgäu is located in the southeasternmost part of Baden-Württemberg, at the transition to the Allgäu Pre-Alps. With just under 14,000 inhabitants and a medieval old town, the city is a tourist destination and a spa town of supra-regional importance. The Schlosspark, with the former monastery and the baroque Pflegerhaus, forms the natural setting for the opera performances — an idyll that delights classical music lovers year after year.