Epic orchestral concerts and fine chamber music, brilliant artists, plus several festivals and thematic focuses – the concert season at the Elbphilharmonie and Laeiszhalle is once again bursting at the seams and has something for every taste, from early music to jazz and electronics. Composers Pierre Boulez and Arnold Schönberg, two of the most important musical pioneers and revolutionaries of the 20th century, take centre stage on the occasion of their milestone birthdays. Many artists make multiple appearances in Hamburg or, like Marc Ribot or Sophie Hunger, curate their own spotlights for the programme. The already extensive world music series will be supplemented by festivals featuring Brazilian music legends and the music from Naples.

Subscriptions can already be booked. Single ticket sale starts on 14 May 2024 at 11:00.

Opera and oratorios have much in common, including a large cast, impassioned emotions and dramatic stories, to name a few. Alan Gilbert and the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra have given Arnold Schönberg’s late-Romantic »Gurre-Lieder« pride of place on the programme. Arthur Honegger’s »Jeanne d’Arc au bûcher« with the Oscar-winning Marion Cotillard and Alban Berg’s »Wozzeck« also feature, as milestones of the 20th century. There are seminal works from the 18th century too: Cecilia Bartoli sings in »Orfeo ed Euridice«, and Thomas Hengelbrock stages another highlight by Gluck with »Iphigénie en Tauride«. The Mozart revolutionary René Jacobs performs »Idomeneo«, and an oratorio by Baroque star composer Leonardo Vinci can also be heard.

The lively and diverse contemporary music scene has figured prominently in the Elbphilharmonie’s event calendar from the very beginning. And the full spectrum of contemporary music can be experienced again this season – from trios to large orchestral concerts. The »Elbphilharmonie Visions« festival is dedicated to contemporary music every two years and this season's programme exclusively features works from the 21st century.

Early music at the Elbphilharmonie and the Laeiszhalle is by no means old-fashioned. Top-class historically informed performance artists such as the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra with Ton Koopman, the Monteverdi Choir with Sir John Eliot Gardiner and soloists such as Cecilia Bartoli and Rolando Villazón present exciting programmes in Hamburg with music from the Middle Ages, Baroque and Viennese Classical periods.

Experience the great voices of our time: lieder singers and opera stars such as Camilla Nylund, Rolando Villazón and Sabine Devieilhe present varied aria programmes and intimate recitals – always supported on stage by the most experienced lieder accompanists and first-class ensembles.

Piano fans are in for a treat this season: the respective stars Yuja Wang and Víkingur Ólafsson perform four-handed alongside one another. And resident artist Alexandre Kantorow gives a recital. Meanwhile at the Laeiszhalle, the »master pianists« on stage include audience favourites Igor Levit, Fazıl Say and Fabian Müller. This season’s »Pianomania« series is dedicated entirely to transcriptions and features young stars such as Mariam Batsashvili and Anna Geniushene.

The recital halls at the Elbphilharmonie and Laeiszhalle are both perfect for chamber music and song recitals. In the intimate ambience, audiences get even closer to the artists and can follow the interaction on stage particularly well. The Laeiszhalle brings together genuine all-star formations that are rarely experienced in this way elsewhere.

These artists have what it takes to become the big names of tomorrow. Every year, the major European concert halls select the most exciting young musicians for the »Rising Stars« and send them on tour. Some of the artists in the »FAST LANE« series started out at the Elbphilharmonie and are now on the fast track to a great career. The »Teatime Classics« presents hand-picked young prize-winners in the Laeiszhalle Recital Hall.

The organ, which fits perfectly into the Grand Hall both visually and acoustically, has long since established itself as a permanent fixture in the touring calendar of international concert organists. This season, titular organist Iveta Apkalna shares the stage with pianist Herbert Schuch for an extraordinary duo concert. Notre Dame organist Olivier Latry also returns with a solo recital.

Alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett makes his debut at the Elbphilharmonie with a meander through jazz, R’n’B and gospel history, pianist Hiromi takes a virtuosic trip into fusion music, and Kenny Barron shines in the supreme discipline of the jazz world – the piano trio. Joe Lovano and Julian Lage co-lead a brand new quartet and big band leader Maria Schneider presents her album »Data Lords«, which has won two Grammy awards. In summer 2025, the »Elbphilharmonie Jazz Academy« once again offers young musicians the chance to learn with professionals and play on the big stage.

The artists in the »Around the World« series, for which Brazil’s mega star Marisa Monte is also coming to Hamburg, take a fresh, contemporary approach to tradition. The ensembles in »World Classical Music«, on the other hand, have dedicated themselves entirely to the classical music traditions of their respective countries. A three-day festival in November is dedicated to the musical traditions of the cultural melting pot of Naples, featuring singer-songwriter Flo and saxophonist Enzo Avitabile, among others.

Pop and electronica also belong in a 21st-century concert hall. Hot Hamburg artists are given a stage in the »Made in Hamburg« series. Sound magicians, synthesizer gods and modular tinkerers continue to perform in the »ePhil« series at the Elbphilharmonie. And in the Kaistudio, they unscramble the music of the future »below deck«.

The Elbphilharmonie has something to offer everyone – even the young: the »Twinkle Concerts« present imaginative productions from all over Europe. The »Klangzeit« series is aimed at people with dementia and their families. And the Elbphilharmonie also puts on a range of events in cultural centres around the city.