La Capitale d'Été — Summer Festival Festspielhaus Baden-Baden

Festspielhaus Baden-Baden — Germany's Largest Concert Hall

The Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, with its 2,500 seats, is Germany's largest concert hall. Housed in the historic Old Railway Station of Baden-Baden (Rastatt district, AGS 08211), it opened in 1998 and is one of Europe's most prestigious classical venues. During La Capitale d'Été, the venue transforms into a festival stage every midsummer with top-class soloists, leading orchestras, and a thematically curated program.

2026 — Curated by Yannick Nézet-Séguin

Since the 2024/25 season, Yannick Nézet-Séguin has been Chief Conductor of the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden. The Franco-Canadian maestro — also Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Philadelphia Orchestra — is curating the 2026 summer festival himself. His motto: "Ah!" — that moment of wonder when early Romanticism allowed the world to be seen anew. Before 1848/49, music was young, forward-looking, spring-like, writes the Festspielhaus. The festival's program and artists trace this magical era.

Opening June 26 — Chamber Orchestra of Europe

The festival opens on Friday, June 26, 2026, with Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Works by Carl Maria von Weber, Felix Mendelssohn, and Franz Schubert — the composers who captured the early Romantic spirit of awakening in music. The following concerts on June 27 and 28 delve deeper into the opening program.

Special Programs: Toddler's Concert and "Yannick & Friends"

A special event on June 27: the Toddler's Concert for children under two years old — classical music for the youngest listeners in a relaxed atmosphere. On the same day, the concert "Yannick & Friends" takes place — Nézet-Séguin at the piano in a chamber music evening with friendly soloists. A side of the maestro that the audience rarely gets to experience.

July 4–5: London Symphony Orchestra with Yuja Wang and Vilde Frang

From July 4 to 5, the London Symphony Orchestra will be guests — one of the world's leading orchestras, with a program centered around Sergei Rachmaninoff and Sergei Prokofiev, tracing the musical journey from Russia to America. Yuja Wang, the star pianist from China, will perform Prokofiev's Third Piano Concerto. Violinist Vilde Frang will interpret the Beethoven Violin Concerto.

July 12 — Finale with Zukerman, Hope, Mehta, and Zurich Chamber Orchestra

The festival finale on Sunday, July 12, 2026, is a "Meeting of Classical Stars": violin legends Pinchas Zukerman and Daniel Hope, with Maestro Zubin Mehta conducting, and the Zurich Chamber Orchestra. A constellation that rarely comes together in this form — and brings the festival to a worthy conclusion.

IM.PULS Project on July 11

On July 11, the choral project IM.PULS takes place — choral music involving all generations, from children's choirs to professional vocal ensembles. A dedicated program strand within the festival.

Admission and Tradition

La Capitale d'Été has been the festive summer highlight at the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden for years. Tickets are tiered depending on the concert and category — from affordable gallery seats to premium seats in the stalls. Advance sales have been ongoing since early 2026. Those who want to experience classical music at the highest level, combined with the charm of the spa town of Baden-Baden, will find it here.