THE BEETHOVEN FESTIVAL IN LEIPZIG & DRESDEN
09-21 may 2027
ROBERT GAY
*** Preliminary Itinerary ***
Experience Leipzig’s Beethoven Festival and seven performances that honour a musical giant, before enjoying two further performances over three nights in Dresden
OVERVIEW
2027 marks the bicentenary of Beethoven’s death, and brings an opportunity to celebrate this musical giant at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig. Our residential-style tour takes in the best of the Festival, and also includes three nights in Dresden in order to enjoy further performances.
The musical program offers 9 performances, including the opening night with Andris Nelsons at the podium with Leipzig’s Gewandhausorchester. There are performances by Igor Levit and Lang Lang of Beethoven’s most celebrated works for the piano, and a program of pre-performance talks by Robert takes you deeper into the music, as well as the life and times of the composer. A special feature of our tour program is that it concludes with three nights in Dresden in order to take in further performances related to our tour theme. The Staatskapelle takes the stage in Dresden to perform works by Mozart and Mendelssohn, and Ferdinando Paer’s opera Leonora provides important context for Beethoven’s Fidelio, which it inspired.
The performances are carefully balanced with touring that explores diverse places of cultural interest and historical themes in Eastern Germany. These include the Bauhaus in Weimar and Dessau, Handel in Halle and the tremendous cultural heritage of Dresden. Select group dining experiences, as well as the comfort of our centrally-located hotel in Leipzig, within walking distance of the Gewandhaus, enhance your enjoyment of the tour experience.
TOUR LEADER
Robert Gay has significant expertise as a music history educator and tour leader, having designed and led more than 100 tours to the great musical cities of Europe and North America.
Known for his popular music history courses, which have been offered at the University of Sydney’s Centre for Continuing Education for more than 30 years, Robert’s musical expertise extends from the Baroque period through to the great composers of the modern era.
Robert trained as a lyric baritone in London and Munich, and he was also President of the Sydney Schubert Society for many years. He has been a guest lecturer for the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society (ADFAS, now Arts National), and is regularly invited to present talks on opera and music history to organisations such as the Wagner Society NSW.
“Robert's energy and enthusiasm are infectious. His knowledge about and perspective of the music and performance is stellar. [His] communication with tour members was outstanding” - Aris U, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, July 2024
Highlights
Delight in seven performances at the Beethoven Festival, with Andris Nelsons conducting the Gewandhausorchester, and Igor Levit and Lang Lang performing celebrated works for the piano
Attend Dresden’s Semperoper for two performances, featuring works by Mozart and Paer’s Leonora, the inspiration for Fidelio
Gain insight into the life and music of Beethoven, through background talks by music historian Robert Gay
Explore the musical heritage of Leipzig and surrounds, from Bach to Handel and Mendelssohn
Admire exceptional art, including Leipzig’s Grassi Museum, porcelain in Meissen and Dresden’s Green Vault
Questions?
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