Schlosshof
Tradition and innovation
AN ASSOCIATION EMBARKS ON ITS JOURNEY
From 1970 to 2015, the Neuschwanstein Concerts delighted audiences once a year with musical masterpieces in the magnificent Singers’ Hall of Neuschwanstein Castle, which King Ludwig II once created for his favourite composer, Richard Wagner. For many decades, the classical concert series was a musical highlight in Bavaria’s cultural calendars for enthusiastic classical music lovers from near and far. The so-called “castle concerts” were organised by the district of Ostallgäu and the municipality of Schwangau. Extensive restoration work and pandemic-related closures then forced the Neuschwanstein Concerts into a long slumber, with both organisers bidding them farewell and putting them to rest forever.
From 1970 to 2015, the Neuschwanstein Concerts annually captivated music enthusiasts from near and far with classical masterpieces. These events, organized by the Ostallgäu district and the Schwangau municipality, were a prominent fixture in Bavaria’s cultural calendar. They dazzled audiences in the grandiose Singers’ Hall, a creation of King Ludwig II for his favored composer, Richard Wagner.
However, the most extensive restoration in Neuschwanstein’s history by the Free State of Bavaria, coupled with pandemic-related closures, led to a prolonged hiatus of the concert series.
With the withdrawal of the previous organizers, the Konzertgesellschaft Neuschwanstein e.V., a non-profit association, embraced the conviction that the region must leverage the unique cultural experiences offered by this world heritage site and its potential future status. Inaction would mean squandering tremendous opportunities for people, culture, and the economy. Thanks to persistent efforts, including correspondence, personal discussions, and unwavering belief in the project’s singularity, Konzertgesellschaft Neuschwanstein e.V. has successfully reimagined the Neuschwanstein Castle Concerts over the past three years.
The Free State of Bavaria, represented by Finance Minister Albert Füracker, and the Bavarian Palaces and Lakes Administration, led by President Bernd Schreiber, have entrusted us as the new organizers. We are grateful for their confidence and committed to fully justifying it. The Neuschwanstein Castle Administration has been an extraordinarily cooperative and indispensable local partner.
Numerous prominent figures from politics, business, culture, media, and tourism have supported and continue to support the dedicated voluntary board team. United by their passion for art and culture, they acknowledge the Neuschwanstein concerts’ absence and recognize their potential to strengthen the broader region. Together, we are composing the music of the future.
Sängersaal
Schloss Neuschwanstein
WAKENED BY A KISS
No one could be found who wanted to revive this exceptional cultural project. There were too many complaints, too many uncertainties. After all, a castle perched high on a mountain is not a typical venue.
For an energetic former district administrator and culture lover like Johann Fleschhut, however, that is precisely where the appeal lies. How can such a uniquely atmospheric place remain silent? Inaccessible to locals and visitors? It was he who revived the castle concerts and consequently took on the role of prince. No mountain was too high for him, no path too long. Even the loss of the singers’ hall as a venue in the castle spurred him on to realise new variations.
No one could resist his enthusiasm, not even his new management team. Together, they volunteered their time and every spare minute to develop concepts, exchange ideas, discuss and work hard to convince others. They approached the state government, federal, state and local politicians, the palace administration and sponsors. Finally, at the end of 2023, it became clear that the dream was finally becoming reality.
The new Neuschwanstein Concerts were kissed awake. Fresh and lively, with famous classics and innovative new interpretations in around 500 box seats in the castle courtyard, which had never been used for performances before, the Neuschwanstein Concerts celebrated their first open-air premiere in the summer of 2024. Unfortunately, without their conductor Johann Fleschhut. He left the stage before the first final applause. For the management and the board, it is both a mission and an obligation to continue his work and develop it further for the future.
string replacement
In keeping with his vision, our concert family has been working ever since to continue what Johann Fleschhut started: writing new music history at the World Heritage Site of Neuschwanstein Castle. We combine high quality standards that do justice to history with contemporary modernity, presenting a programme that touches and inspires both classical music connoisseurs and crossover lovers across generations.
For us, Neuschwanstein Castle is much more than an international tourist attraction. Bavaria’s landmark is part of the soul of our district. We volunteer our time to ensure that Neuschwanstein Castle not only attracts visitors from all over the world, but also becomes a lively place of encounter and inspiration for people from our region. With the Neuschwanstein Concerts, we are creating a cultural space that preserves and develops traditions and connects people through music.
This commitment is shared by our project partner, KINESCOPE FILM, which curates the artistic programme for us and ensures that the magic of the concerts is transmitted from the courtyard of Neuschwanstein Castle to the world of television. This success motivates us to continue developing the Neuschwanstein Concerts with passionate commitment and strong partners into a unique cultural flagship project with international appeal.
In this way, we are continuing Johann Fleschhut’s vision together and keeping it alive. Together for the future of our homeland’s culture and musical moments full of magic.
Obituary
IN MEMORIAM JOHANN FLESCHHUT - FORMER DISTRICT COUNCILLOR, BOARD MEMBER AND INITIATOR OF THE NEUSCHWANSTEIN CONCERTS
He was on the home straight. The premiere of the new Neuschwanstein Concerts 2024 before his eyes – his work.
After years of preparation, perseverance and anticipation. It was not meant to be. Five weeks before the start, death suddenly snatched him from life.
However, his name will forever be associated with Neuschwanstein and the culture of Bavarian Swabia: Johann Fleschhut .
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 hard-working” – as was your nature – and lived your own diary to the end, in your words, “flexibly”.
And that is exactly what you are now asking of us, your colourful bunch. And more than ever. As your colleagues at the castle concerts, we were also used to your own sense of time. No phone call under 60 minutes. Team meetings late into the night. Passionate pleas for your favourite project, the new Neuschwanstein concerts.
One of your trademarks: Endlessly long emails. 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 and every one 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 organised everything behind the scenes – 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 so richly deserved. 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.