The Mendelssohn Festival and the associated cultivation and performance of Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's works are an integral part of Leipzig's musical culture. In close cooperation between Mendelssohn-Haus Leipzig and Gewandhaus zu Leipzig, Elena Bashkirova curates an exquisite festival program with symphony concerts, chamber music, guided tours and discussion formats every year around the anniversary of the death of the composer, pianist, conductor and global citizen on 4 November. The concerts in Mendelssohn's authentic home and death house and those with the Gewandhaus Orchestra are among the most impressive experiences of the Leipzig concert season.
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy is one of the outstanding, universally educated and versatile musicians of the 19th century. His musical activities as a composer, conductor and pianist took him all over Europe. Leipzig was the center of his life for twelve years. Here, as Gewandhauskapellmeister and co-founder of the first German conservatory, he had a decisive influence on the musical life and charisma of the city.
At this year's Mendelssohn Festival from October 2 to November 9, 2025, audiences can expect a multifaceted, top-class festival program, curated by Elena Bashkirova. What is special this year is
that the International Mendelssohn Prize will be awarded for the first time since 2016 as part of the opening concert on November 2 at the Gewandhaus.
The festival will be given a further special accent this year by the city-wide theme year "Book City Leipzig - More than a Story". Mendelssohn himself paid tribute to Leipzig's importance as a center of books with his symphonic cantata "Lobgesang", which he composed in 1840 on behalf of the city to mark the anniversary of the art of printing - an impressive musical testimony to the combination of art, enlightenment and intellectual progress.
So let yourself be inspired, surprised and thrilled by the many great artists, ensembles and orchestras - and of course by the music,
that awaits us. Welcome to the Mendelssohn Festival Leipzig 2025!
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy is one of the outstanding, universally educated and versatile musicians of the 19th century. His musical activities as a composer, conductor and pianist took him all over Europe. Leipzig was the center of his life for twelve years. Here, as Gewandhauskapellmeister and co-founder of the first German conservatory, he had a decisive influence on the musical life and charisma of the city.
At this year's Mendelssohn Festival from October 2 to November 9, 2025, audiences can expect a multifaceted, top-class festival program, curated by Elena Bashkirova. What is special this year is
that the International Mendelssohn Prize will be awarded for the first time since 2016 as part of the opening concert on November 2 at the Gewandhaus.
The festival will be given a further special accent this year by the city-wide theme year "Book City Leipzig - More than a Story". Mendelssohn himself paid tribute to Leipzig's importance as a center of books with his symphonic cantata "Lobgesang", which he composed in 1840 on behalf of the city to mark the anniversary of the art of printing - an impressive musical testimony to the combination of art, enlightenment and intellectual progress.
So let yourself be inspired, surprised and thrilled by the many great artists, ensembles and orchestras - and of course by the music,
that awaits us. Welcome to the Mendelssohn Festival Leipzig 2025!
