Hamburg International Music Festival

After all, even if Chuck Berry once sang »Roll over Beethoven«, the force of Beethoven’s symphonies can easily rival the power of a rock band. And as for mind-altering substances, Hector Berlioz knew a thing or two about them: in his »Symphonie fantastique« (1830), he portrays an opium-induced trip complete with near-death experience and witches’ sabbath. A special focus is devoted to New York composer Julius Eastman, who shaped his identity as an African American and gay artist into a highly distinctive musical language, yet ultimately lost his battle with drug addiction.

The festival opens with the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra performing an oratorio by the recently deceased composer Sofia Gubaidulina on the power of love. With such monumental productions, the month-long festival once again elevates an already world-class programme at the Elbphilharmonie and Laeiszhalle – further enhanced by stars such as Anne-Sophie Mutter, Barbara Hannigan, Sir Simon Rattle, the Orchestra of La Scala in Milan and the Berlin Philharmonic, who join Hamburg’s leading orchestras to turn the festival into a true celebration.

The complete programme will be announced in November 2026.