Bach Festival 2025 in Leipzig: Transformation through sound and augmented reality!

Bach Festival 2025 in Leipzig: Transformation through sound and augmented reality!

The Leipzig Bach Festival 2025 will take place from June 12th to 22nd and has the motto “Transformation”. With over 200 events planned, the festival will present both traditional concerts and experimental formats. Intendant Prof. Dr. Michael Maul has already announced numerous top-class concerts that will enrich the program. Particular attention is paid to the thematic design, which deals with transformation processes in Bach's work and his engagement with contemporary music. The festival concerts are supported by the city of Leipzig, the Free State of Saxony and the Sparkasse Leipzig. Further information is available on the Website of the Leipzig Bach Festival to find.

Among the highlights of the festival are two special projects: “Bachs Faust,” which will be performed in the historic Auerbachs Keller, and a fascinating presentation of Johann Sebastian Bach through augmented reality in 24 talk concerts. Bach's cantatas, which deal with profound themes such as transience, death and eternal life, will also be performed in a series of performances in the Thomaskirche and the Nikolaikirche. Renowned conductors such as Sir John Eliot Gardiner and Diego Fasolis will take part in the concerts.

New interpretations and formats

The 2025 Bach Festival will explore numerous new forms to bring the legacy of Johann Sebastian Bach into the here and now. For example, the “QueerPassion”, a new text of the St. John Passion by Thomas Höft, will be presented. In addition, the performance of “The Arabian Passion”, a modern interpretation of Bach's passions, is intended to appeal to the audience. The musical play “Bachs Faust”, which combines Goethe’s Faust with Bach’s music and is performed with Burghart Klaußner, also promises an exciting experience.

Another innovative format is the so-called “BachStage”, which offers free open-air concerts on the opening weekend. The first concert with the Bridges Chamber Orchestra will take place on June 13th at 6:30 p.m., followed by an exciting fusion of heavy metal and baroque hits presented by the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra on June 14th.

Sustainability in focus

This year the Bach Festival will also pay particular attention to sustainability. The “Climate Pass” is introduced to compensate for the festival’s carbon footprint. This measure includes donations for the “Bach Forest” with the aim of raising awareness of the topics of sustainability and transformation among the audience. The term “transformation” is not only treated artistically, but also in the context of the current challenges in the global economy, such as the use of renewable energies. Many of Bach's compositions are characterized by similar transformation processes, which makes this year's motto particularly relevant.

In summary, the Leipzig Bach Festival 2025 promises a variety of inspiring events and projects that celebrate Bach's legacy while offering new perspectives on his music and its relevance for today. In this sense, the festival will once again be a highlight in the cultural calendar and a platform for innovative musical experiences.