Rhine Guitar International Festival & Academy Koblenz
Edition 2026 Music Classical Sacred music

Rhine Guitar International Festival & Academy Koblenz

34th International Guitar Festival and Academy with Hubert Käppel Competition and Solo Recitals

Koblenz — Kreisfreie Stadt Koblenz (07111)
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Dates 17 May — 25 May 2026
Venue Koblenz (07111)
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About Rhine Guitar Festival

The Rhine Guitar International Festival & Academy is one of Germany's most important international guitar festivals. Over nine days at the end of May, the festival brings together the elite of the classical guitar world in the greater Koblenz area: solo recitals by renowned concert guitarists, symphony concerts with guitar soloists, masterclasses, workshops, lectures, and the internationally highly regarded Hubert Käppel Guitar Competition. The venues are spread across the campus of the Landesmusikakademie Rheinland-Pfalz in Schloss Engers, the Heinrich-Haus, and the Sayner Hütte. 2026 marks the 34th edition.

The Rhine Guitar International Festival & Academy is one of the top addresses for classical guitar music in Europe. The organizer is Rhine Guitar e.V., which organizes the festival in cooperation with the Landesmusikakademie Rheinland-Pfalz.

Concept

The festival combines a high-caliber concert program with an academy for young guitarists from all over the world. During the day, masterclasses, workshops, lectures, and competition rounds of the Hubert Käppel Guitar Competition take place, while evenings feature concerts and solo recitals. This combination of teaching and concert activities makes the festival a unique platform for the international guitar scene.

Venues

The festival uses three main venues:

  • Schloss Engers (Neuwied): Campus of the Landesmusikakademie Rheinland-Pfalz, academy location.
  • Heinrich-Haus (Neuwied): Concert hall for solo recitals.
  • Sayner Hütte (Bendorf): former industrial monument, now a concert hall with special acoustics.

Hubert Käppel Guitar Competition

The international Hubert Käppel Guitar Competition is one of the most prestigious guitar competitions in Europe. Young concert guitarists from all over the world apply for places in the competition and compete against international rivals in several rounds. The prize winners are presented at a gala concert.

Prelude Concert 2026

The festival begins with the Prelude Concert on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at the Sayner Hütte, performed by the Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie.

Rhine Guitar Festival — edition 2026

The 34th edition of the Rhine Guitar International Festival takes place from Sunday, May 17, to Monday, May 25, 2026, at three venues in the greater Koblenz area. The Prelude Concert at the Sayner Hütte on May 17 opens the festival with the Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie. During the nine festival days, solo recitals, symphony concerts, masterclasses, workshops, and the international Hubert Käppel Guitar Competition will be held.

The 2026 edition spans nine days and three main venues. Detailed competition and concert schedules will be published on rhineguitar.de and koblenz-kultur.de.

Programme Rhine Guitar Festival 2026

Program structure 2026:

  • Sunday, May 17 — Prelude Concert: Sayner Hütte, Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie.
  • Day 1–9: Masterclasses, workshops, lectures at the Schloss Engers campus.
  • Hubert Käppel Guitar Competition: several rounds spread throughout the festival days.
  • Solo Recitals: regular evening concerts by renowned concert guitarists.
  • Symphony Concerts: with guitar soloists at various venues.
  • Prize Winners' Concert: Gala concert with the competition winners at the end of the festival.

Highlights Rhine Guitar Festival 2026

  • 34th edition of the international guitar festival.
  • Prelude Concert at the Sayner Hütte with the Rheinische Philharmonie.
  • Hubert Käppel Guitar Competition.
  • Masterclasses with internationally recognized educators.

Prices Rhine Guitar Festival 2026

Tickets available via ticket-regional.de/rhineguitar. Prices vary depending on the concert and venue.

Practical information — Rhine Guitar Festival

Venues: Schloss Engers (Neuwied), Heinrich-Haus (Neuwied), Sayner Hütte (Bendorf).

Dates 2026: May 17 to May 25, 2026.

Tickets: ticket-regional.de/rhineguitar.

Getting there: Train to Koblenz Hauptbahnhof, then bus or car to the venues.

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Rhine Guitar Festival at a glance

Music Classical Sacred music International Kreisfreie Stadt Koblenz