Osterfestspiele Baden-Baden

Osterfestspiele Baden-Baden 2026 — A New Era

When the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden — Germany's largest opera house with 2,500 seats — switches to Holy Week mode from March 28 to April 6, 2026, a new era of the Easter Festival begins. For the first time since its founding in 2013, the Easter Festival will take place without the Berlin Philharmonic — a forward-looking decision by Festival Director Benedikt Stampa, which brings two of Europe's most exciting orchestras to the venue: the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam under Klaus Mäkelä and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra under Joana Mallwitz. The change symbolizes a generational handover to Europe's younger conducting elite — and thus an artistic renewal of Germany's most important Easter classical festival.

Wagner's Lohengrin — New Production with Joana Mallwitz

At the center of the 2026 festival season is a new production of Lohengrin, conducted by Joana Mallwitz and directed by Johannes Erath. Rachel Willis-Sørensen embodies Elsa, and Piotr Beczała sings the title role — one of Wagner's most famous tenor roles, the 'Swan Knight'. The production is realized with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra.

Bach's St. Matthew Passion with Klaus Mäkelä and the Royal Concertgebouw

The second major pillar of the season is Johann Sebastian Bach's St. Matthew Passion, conducted by Klaus Mäkelä with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. The performance of the Passion during Holy Week has a special aura in Baden-Baden — sacred music concentrated in a festival hall performance, with world-class soloists and choirs.

Britten's War Requiem on Good Friday

On Good Friday, Benjamin Britten's War Requiem will be performed — Joana Mallwitz will conduct the Mahler Chamber Orchestra in this work, created in 1962 to mark the reopening of Coventry Cathedral. The War Requiem is one of the most profound anti-war works of modern classical music — combining the Latin Requiem Mass with Wilfred Owen's war poems.

Symphonic Works and Solo Concerts

Between the major works, the festival will present Mahler's 5th Symphony and Bruckner's 8th Symphony on the Festspielhaus stage. Solo concerts with pianist Hélène Grimaud, mezzo-soprano Elína Garanča, and violinist Daniel Lozakovich will complement the program — international stars in one of Germany's best concert halls.

Festspielhaus Baden-Baden

The Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, with 2,500 seats, is Germany's largest opera house. Opened in 1998 in the historic Old Railway Station of Baden-Baden, it has established itself as one of Europe's most important concert venues over 25 years. Its excellent acoustics (architect: Wilhelm Holzbauer), diverse program of opera, symphonic music, jazz, and choral music, and its location at the entrance to the spa town make the Festspielhaus a pilgrimage site for classical music lovers.

Baden-Baden — The Spa and Festival City

The city of Baden-Baden, with around 55,000 inhabitants, is one of Europe's most famous spa towns. Located in the Rastatt district in Baden-Württemberg, it gained fame in the 19th century as Europe's summer capital — Russians, English, and French came for the baths, the casino, and the cultural events. Today, this tradition lives on: the Festspielhaus, Casino, Kurhaus, and Lichtentaler Allee form a dense cultural ensemble. The Easter Festival is the annual highlight in Baden-Baden's festival calendar.