The Neuschwanstein Concerts 2025 were carefully captured with dedication and artistic vision. Starting September 28, 2025, the recordings will be made available through broadcasts and in the media libraries of ZDF, 3sat, and ARTE – for those who joined us live to relive the experience, and for those near and far who could not be there in person.
As twilight descends, the pearly silhouette of Neuschwanstein Castle glows with otherworldly brilliance. Like a proud queen, Bavaria’s iconic landmark rises above the fairytale castle park, cloaked in the golden hues of the evening light. The last rays of the sun kiss its towering spires, setting them aglow in a radiant contest with the alpine crosses of the majestic Allgäu mountains. Soon after, the sky bids farewell with a magnificent symphony of red and orange, slowly melting into the deep blue of night.
A magical moment, a perfect resonance space for a summer fairytale in sound. From July 29 to August 2, 2026, the castle courtyard once again became a cosmopolitan soundscape of royal class for five open-air concert evenings as part of the Neuschwanstein Concerts.
During the 2025 summer season, the new classical open-air concerts at the Royal Palace once again offered atmospheric moments full of wonder and musical masterpieces that moved and deeply touched the audience. Created by international artists and ensembles who bring tradition to life while opening up new perspectives with modern influences. A unique overall composition of sound, space and time that would certainly not only have delighted King Ludwig II, but also deeply moved him.
“Oh, it is necessary to create such paradises for yourself,
such poetic refuges,
where for some time, the terrible times in which we live,
can forget.”
Ludwig II.
With their premiere in August 2024, the new Neuschwanstein Concerts set fresh impulses while honoring their rich roots. For the first time in history, Neuschwanstein’s courtyard became a stage. During the golden hour, a majestic sound space nestled in a dreamlike alpine setting. A total work of art uniting music, magic, and myth, leaving a lasting impression on both audiences and artists alike.
The event featured world-class musicians and extraordinary talents on the rise. With works by the King’s favorite composer, Richard Wagner, alongside pieces that would be unimaginable without his legacy in classical music history. Handpicked artists created programs tailor-made for Bavaria’s most iconic site – cleverly intertwining tradition and modernity into dramaturgical brilliance, offering audiences unique, musical experiences that were never heard before. The kind only possible at Neuschwanstein.
The detailed programme will be announced at a press conference in spring 2024 and will also be published here shortly afterwards.
From 1970 to 2015, the Neuschwanstein Concerts delighted classical music lovers from near and far with masterworks of the classical repertoire. Organized by the Ostallgäu district and the municipality of Schwangau, this celebrated concert series was a cultural highlight in Bavaria, hosted in the magnificent Singers’ Hall—originally created by King Ludwig II for his beloved composer Richard Wagner.
The Neuschwanstein Concert Society is a non-profit association that has been dedicated to creating classical concert experiences at Neuschwanstein Castle since 1970. Over 100 members – including representatives of the district, Allgäu municipalities, business, tourism, politics and committed private individuals – work together to preserve and strengthen the region’s unique cultural landscape and to develop the tradition of castle concerts in a forward-looking manner by actively supporting and promoting this exceptional cultural project.
With the new open-air event format and the assumption of the role of organiser for the new Neuschwanstein Concerts, Neuschwanstein Konzerte gGmbH was founded at the end of 2023 following a unanimous decision by the general meeting. Kerstin Glowalla, our former board member and project initiator from the very beginning, is responsible for management. Together with Christian Lichtenberg, who has also been with the board for many years, she is taking over the operational management and implementation of the organiser’s tasks. Naturally, this is being done in close consultation with the board team and supported by our team spirit, which has characterised our daily voluntary work since the project began.
Dear Johann,
“Punctuality is an ornament, but you can get further without it.” Anyone who knew you well knows that you were very fond of this saying. Not because you wanted to be rude, but because you always took the necessary time for your district, your social and political projects and the people who were close to your heart. As a result, you were “consistent and busy” – as was your nature – and lived your own schedule to the end, in your words, “flexibly”.
And that is exactly what you are now asking of us, your colorful bunch. And more than ever. We were used to your own sense of time, even as your colleagues at the castle concerts. No phone call under 60 minutes. Team meetings late into the night. Passionate pleas for your passion project, the new Neuschwanstein concerts.
One of your trademarks: Endlessly long e-mails. What began with three small dots only ended many paragraphs later. A tour de force through your thoughts and your inexhaustible wealth of ideas.
You took each of us with you personally. The same applies to state ministers, sponsors and the palace administration. No obstacle was too high for you. After all, it’s not for nothing that your homepage says “Problems are there to be solved”.
Unfortunately, we now have to shoulder this without you. But we will always have your mantra in our ears: “Good is not good enough.” You were a perfectionist à la couleur. Your ideas were visionary. You set the pace for us. You set the pace for us. Lento was not your speed. Everything had to go presto. And pronto.
No one could pay as much attention and energy to the smallest details as you did.
But all this was forgotten once you had arranged everything behind the scenes again – without much fuss. “Unagitated and unconventional” is probably the best way to describe you. You were our driving force, motivator and mentor at the same time. We thank you, our maestro, from the bottom of our hearts.
You left the stage before the final applause, which you deserved so much. May your spirit and your smile be with us.
While we are struggling for every word here in our grief, you would have struck the right note there with your own ease, completely relaxed, charismatic and confident. We promise you that we will once again pool all our strength for you on the home straight. So that you can still receive the final applause from your heavenly box seat.
In your name, we will bow in deepest gratitude and humility. To the audience, to your family and to you.
