Schumann Festival Zwickau
Ten days of music in the birthplace of Robert Schumann — Schumann Festival 2026 under the motto “Schumann and the Poets”
About Schumann Festival Zwickau
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Robert Schumann in his Birthplace
Robert Schumann, one of the most important composers of the Romantic era, was born on 8 June 1810 in Zwickau. He spent his childhood and youth in this Saxon city in the Zwickau district, Free State of Saxony, wrote his first compositions, and avidly read the literature of the Enlightenment and early Romanticism. This connection between music and poetry — fundamental to Schumann's work — forms the motto of the 2026 Schumann Festival: “Schumann and the Poets”. From 4 to 14 June 2026, the festival will dedicate ten days to Schumann's literary inspirations, from E. T. A. Hoffmann and Heinrich Heine to Jean Paul.
Venues — Schumann's Birth House and Neue Welt
The central venue is the Konzert- und Ballhaus Neue Welt, which, with its Art Nouveau acoustics, is one of Saxony's most beautiful concert halls. It hosts the opening concert (4 June) and the closing concert (14 June). In addition, soloists and ensembles perform in the Robert-Schumann-Haus on the Hauptmarkt — the composer's birthplace, which is now both a museum and a concert space. The house displays the world's largest Schumann collection, with manuscripts, letters, and original instruments. Further concerts take place in churches, in the Schwanenteichpark, and at the Robert-Schumann-Konservatorium.
Romantic Festival of Lights at the Schwanenteich
A special highlight is the Romantic Festival of Lights on 12 June at the historic Schwanenteich pond. Hundreds of candles, floating lights, and an open-air concert with Schumann arrangements transform the park into a romantic soundscape. The Schwanenteich is Zwickau's traditional city park with a small island — an idyllic spot perfectly suited for a summer concert night in the spirit of Schumann.
Highlight on 8 June — Schumann's Birthday
8 June 2026 would have been Schumann's 216th birthday and also marks the 125th anniversary of the Schumann Monument on the Hauptmarkt (erected in 1901). For this occasion, “bicycle concerts” with mobile musicians will take place during the day: cellists, violinists, and singers will ride cargo bikes through the city, giving spontaneous mini-concerts at places with a connection to Schumann. In the evening, the grand “Happy Birthday, Robert!” event will take place on the Hauptmarkt with a civic reception, a brass band, and a special concert in front of the monument.
Piano Recitals and Schumann Prize
Several piano recitals shape the programme — notably the recital by Schumann Prize winner Susanne Grützmann on 7 June, featuring piano works inspired by E. T. A. Hoffmann's Fantasiestücke. The closing concert on 14 June in the Neue Welt concert hall will be led by the Leipzig Chamber Choir — they will perform Schumann's choral ballads with live improvisations to Charlie Chaplin's silent film “A Dog's Life” (1918). This bridge between Romantic choral literature and silent film improvisation is typical of the curatorial signature of the Schumann Festival: serious tradition paired with surprising crossover formats.
Schumann Festival Zwickau — edition 2026
Schumann Festival 2026 — “Schumann and the Poets”
The 2026 Schumann Festival is dedicated to the close connection between Robert Schumann and the literature of his time. For ten days, works by Schumann inspired by texts from E. T. A. Hoffmann, Heinrich Heine, Jean Paul, and other Romantics will be heard in concert halls, churches, and outdoors. An accompanying exhibition at the Robert-Schumann-Haus documents the Schumann-Poets relationship.
The central venue is the Konzert- und Ballhaus Neue Welt; further concerts take place at Schumann's birthplace, in the Schwanenteichpark, and in several churches. The highlight is 8 June with bicycle concerts, a birthday reception at the Schumann Monument, and the “125 Years Schumann Monument” anniversary.
Programme Schumann Festival Zwickau 2026
Schumann Festival Zwickau 2026 — Programme
- 4 June — Opening Concert (Konzert- und Ballhaus Neue Welt): Rarely performed major works by Schumann, symphony orchestra, tickets €35–€65
- 5 June — Cabaret Evening: Musical cabaret — new programme series
- 7 June — Piano Recital: Susanne Grützmann (Schumann Prize winner) plays piano works inspired by E. T. A. Hoffmann
- 8 June — Schumann's Birthday and 125 Years of the Monument: Bicycle concerts through the city during the day; in the evening, “Happy Birthday, Robert!” reception on the Hauptmarkt with the mayor, brass band, and birthday concert in front of the Schumann Monument
- 10–11 June — Lieder Recitals: Schumann song cycles (Dichterliebe, Frauenliebe und -leben, Liederkreis op. 39) — various Lieder singers
- 12 June — Romantic Festival of Lights at the Schwanenteich: Hundreds of candles, floating lights, open-air concert with Schumann arrangements in the Schwanenteichpark
- 13 June — Chamber Concerts: Piano Quintet op. 44, Piano Quartet op. 47, Violin Sonatas
- 14 June — Closing Concert (Konzert- und Ballhaus Neue Welt): Leipzig Chamber Choir performs Schumann's choral ballads with live improvisations to the silent film “A Dog's Life” (Charlie Chaplin, 1918)
- Accompanying: Exhibition “Schumann and the Poets” at the Robert-Schumann-Haus, Hauptmarkt 5
Highlights Schumann Festival Zwickau 2026
- Opening concert with rarely performed Schumann works at the Neue Welt (4 June)
- Susanne Grützmann piano recital — Hoffmann-inspired programme (7 June)
- Bicycle concerts and “Happy Birthday, Robert!” reception on 8 June
- 125th anniversary of the Schumann Monument
- Romantic Festival of Lights at the Schwanenteich (12 June)
- Closing with Leipzig Chamber Choir and Chaplin silent film improvisation (14 June)
- Special exhibition at the Robert-Schumann-Haus
Prices Schumann Festival Zwickau 2026
Ticket prices vary by concert: piano recital from €12, Lieder recital from €25, chamber concert from €22, opening and closing concerts €35–€65. Festival pass for 4 concerts at a reduced price (approx. €90). Romantic Festival of Lights at the Schwanenteich free admission. Booking via CTS Eventim and at the concert box offices.
Practical information — Schumann Festival Zwickau
Date
Thursday, 4 June — Sunday, 14 June 2026.
Venues
Konzert- und Ballhaus Neue Welt, Robert-Schumann-Haus (Hauptmarkt 5), Schwanenteichpark, Robert-Schumann-Konservatorium, and other locations in Zwickau.
Tickets
Ticket prices vary by concert, ranging from €12 (piano recital) to €65 (opening/closing concert). Booking via CTS Eventim, at the concert box offices, and via www.schumann-zwickau.de.
Getting There
Zwickau is accessible by RE 6 train in 60 minutes from Chemnitz and in 75 minutes from Leipzig. By car, take the A 72 (Hof–Chemnitz), exit Zwickau-West. From the main train station, it's a 15-minute walk to the Hauptmarkt.
Organiser
City of Zwickau in cooperation with the Robert-Schumann-Haus, Hauptmarkt 5, 08056 Zwickau.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Schumann Festival Zwickau
Konzert- und Ballhaus Neue Welt, Robert-Schumann-Haus, Schwanenteichpark
Hauptmarkt 5, 08056 Zwickau