Klassik Open Air Heilbronn

Classical Music Under the Open Sky — Against a Medieval Backdrop

Heilbronn, with around 125,000 inhabitants, is one of the larger medium-sized cities in northern Baden-Württemberg, located on the Neckar and the capital of the Heilbronn-Franken region. Kiliansplatz is the central square of Heilbronn's city center, dominated by the late Gothic Kilianskirche (construction period 1280–1480) with its high-Gothic sandstone altar by Hans Seyfer (one of the most important works of South German late Gothic art). This backdrop is the setting for the Klassik Open Air.

Württembergisches Kammerorchester as Host

The organizer is the Württembergisches Kammerorchester Heilbronn (WKO), one of Germany's most renowned chamber orchestras — internationally celebrated for its lean, precise interpretive style of Mozart, Schubert, and classical repertoire. The WKO regularly tours Asia, the USA, and Europe and sees its home-based classical open-air event as a cultural gift to the citizens of Heilbronn.

Highlight 2026: Under the Southern Sun

The musical highlight of 2026 is the Saturday concert on July 4th, 7:30 PM, featuring the Württembergisches Kammerorchester, the Frank Dupree Trio, and saxophonist Libor Šima. Frank Dupree (piano and direction), Jakob Krupp (bass), and Meinhard Obi Jenne (drums) form one of the most exciting cross-over trios on the German classical scene — piano jazz with classical depth and unpretentious improvisational artistry.

The Program

Under the title Under the Southern Sun, the program moves between Mediterranean classical music, French impressionism, jazz, and film music:

• Manuel de Falla — Danza ritual del Fuego (from El amor brujo)
• Maurice Ravel — Petite Symphonie à cordes (excerpt)
• Jean Françaix — Divertissement for Bassoon and Strings
• Darius Milhaud — Scaramouche
• Gabriel Fauré — Pavane op. 50
• Henry Mancini — Lujon
• Michel Legrand — You Must Believe in Spring
• Joseph Cosma — Autumn Leaves

Free Admission — Three Days of Open Air

The festival runs from July 2nd to 4th, 2026, with the main concert on Saturday, July 4th, at 7:30 PM. Thursday and Friday are traditionally dedicated to younger ensembles, youth orchestras, or emerging soloists. Admission to all concerts is free — the WKO and the City of Heilbronn emphasize that classical music should not be an elitist experience. Seating is partially available; blankets for picnicking on the square are permitted and encouraged.