Schönbusch Serenades Aschaffenburg

Chamber Concerts in the English Landscape Garden

Schönbusch Park in Aschaffenburg is one of the most important English landscape gardens in Southern Germany and one of the earliest examples of this style in Germany – the park was designed from 1775 onwards by the renowned garden designer Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell for Elector Friedrich Carl Joseph von Erthal, around the same time as Schwetzingen Palace Garden. In the middle of this park stands the small but exquisite Schönbusch Palace with its festival hall – now the concert hall for the Schönbusch Serenades.

The Festival Hall

The festival hall (also called the dining hall) is a neoclassical room with landscape paintings and a ceiling fresco of the goddess Flora. It seats 130 people – creating an intimate concert setting. As there is no heating, warm clothing must be worn in cooler temperatures, which is part of the historical experience. The owner is the Bavarian Administration of Palaces, Gardens and Lakes.

Three Serenades per Year

There are three concerts per season: 1st Schönbusch Serenade in May, 2nd in June, 3rd in September. Each serenade is dedicated to a composer or theme – "Bravo, Signore Haydn!", "Bravo, Signore Mozart!", in 2026 "Bravo, Signore Rossini!" with Donizetti as a special guest. The concerts are organised by the Aschaffenburg City Theatre.

The Ensemble kleinformat

The resident ensemble is kleinformat – a historically informed ensemble led by Sylvia Ackermann (fortepiano). Using period instruments (baroque violin, transverse flute, natural horn, baroque cello), kleinformat interprets the works of the Classical era with historical accuracy. Soprano Anna Feith and tenor Martin Platz form the vocal core.

Combining Park and Concert

Before and after the concerts, a stroll through the park is highly recommended: Schönbusch Palace, the "Aussichtsplatte" viewing tower, the "Temple of Friendship", the "Philosopher's Pavilion", the English Lake – all staged in the tradition of the English landscape garden. The park is owned by the Bavarian Administration of Palaces, Gardens and Lakes and is freely accessible.

Aschaffenburg – Gateway to the Spessart

Aschaffenburg, with its approximately 70,000 inhabitants, is the second-largest city in Lower Franconia. It is famous for its Renaissance Johannisburg Palace, the Pompejanum replica, and Schönbusch Park on the outskirts of the city. Those arriving by car or train can reach Frankfurt am Main in 30 minutes and Würzburg in 60 minutes.