LiedFest Berlin

The German Lied – a genre of its own

The Lied – called «Kunstlied» (art song) in the specialist vocabulary – is a genre in its own right within the German-language musical tradition: a setting of a poem for a single voice and piano, often conceived as a cycle, with a dense connection between text, melody and harmony. Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, Hugo Wolf and Richard Strauss are among its great composers. LiedFest Berlin dedicates a Berlin concert series to this often «intimate» repertoire.

Three programme evenings in Steglitz-Zehlendorf

The 2026 edition places three programmes side by side. The opening on May 22 brings together two romanza paths: works by the Catalan composer Eduard Toldrà followed by Johannes Brahms's «15 Romanzen aus Ludwig Tiecks Magelone op. 33» – a love story that feels as absurd as a beautiful fairy tale – carried by soprano Julia Valero and baritone Dietrich Henschel, with Sholto Kynoch at the piano.

On June 27 follows Franz Schubert's «Die schöne Müllerin» – «arguably the most famous song cycle of all time» – with British tenor Mark Padmore and Markus Hadulla on piano. Schubert's Müllerin tells, in 20 songs, the emotional journey of a young miller's apprentice through infatuation, jealousy and loss.

The third evening on July 18 brings Hugo Wolf's «Italienisches Liederbuch» – 46 short Italian love songs in German translation – with mezzo-soprano Megan Kahts and Dietrich Henschel, accompanied by Florian Krumpöck. «Brilliant miniatures» that transport listeners into a «romantic Italy».

Kirche zur Heimat

The venue is Kirche zur Heimat in Berlin's Steglitz-Zehlendorf borough – a sacred building with warm acoustics that offer ideal conditions for chamber and Lied recitals. Its proximity to the quiet, well-served district of Zehlendorf (Botanical Garden, Krumme Lanke) makes the concert evening also a chance for a pre- or post-show walk in the neighbourhood.

An international line-up of soloists

The line-up of invited artists is international: Julia Valero (soprano), Megan Kahts (mezzo-soprano), Mark Padmore (tenor), Dietrich Henschel (baritone, one of today's most prominent Lied baritones), Sholto Kynoch, Markus Hadulla and Florian Krumpöck on piano. The programmes are designed to fit together so that three evenings provide a rounded Lied recital experience in the federal state of Berlin.