Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival opens in Lübeck with Dvořák and Mahler, Stockholm as city focus
The 2026 Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival launched on Saturday evening in Lübeck with a sold-out concert featuring Dvořák and Mahler, kicking off a summer programme of 205 events with Stockholm as this year's city focus.
Opening night
The 2026 Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival opened on Saturday evening in Lübeck's Musik- und Kongresshalle with a sold-out concert. The NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester, conducted by New York-born Karina Canellakis, performed Antonín Dvořák's Cello Concerto in B minor with cellist Anastasia Kobekina, who was enthusiastically celebrated by the audience. The second half featured Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 1 "Titan", drawing minutes-long applause from the packed hall.
Festival scope and venues
Running until 30 August, the festival offers 205 concerts, five countryside music festivals, two children's music festivals, and five "Werftsommer" concerts. Events take place across 120 venues in 73 locations spanning Schleswig-Holstein, Denmark, Hamburg, and northern Lower Saxony. Organisers report that roughly two-thirds of all concerts are already sold out, though tickets remain available for several highlights.
- Opening concert: Dvořák's Cello Concerto and Mahler's Symphony No. 1 in Lübeck
- Repeat opening concert, live broadcast on 3sat and NDR radio
- Roxette performs in Kiel as part of Stockholm focus
- Festival closes after 205 concerts
Stockholm focus and Swedish programme
This year's city focus is Stockholm, with more than 85 concerts showcasing a broad musical spectrum from baroque and classical to choral music, folk, jazz, and pop. Numerous musicians from the Swedish capital will appear, including Roxette, one of Sweden's most successful bands, performing in Kiel on 18 July. Accordionist Ksenija Sidorova holds a special role, appearing in 18 concerts across solo evenings, chamber music programmes, and large orchestral performances.
Broadcast and legacy
The opening concert will be repeated on Sunday evening in Lübeck, with a live television broadcast on 3sat and radio coverage by Norddeutscher Rundfunk. Founded in 1986 by Justus Frantz, who served as its first director, the festival has grown into one of Europe's largest classical music events. Christian Kuhnt has led the festival since 2013.
