Ingolstadt has been captivated by the Audi Summer Concerts for two whole weeks. Renowned artists such as Pekka Kuusisto, Nikolai Lugansky and Fazıl Say enthralled audiences. This year the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, the London-based Philharmonia Orchestra and the Schumann Quartet made their debut appearances at the Audi Summer Concerts. Four concerts were sold out. The classical open-air concerts at Klenzepark once again attracted throngs of people, with 22,000 people attending the two opening concerts. “We feel it is important to create a special cultural offering here in the region, with something for every generation. We see both the city and the region as part of the festival, and the festival itself as part of the city and the region,” said Wendelin Göbel, the Audi Board of Management Member for Human Resources and Organization.
The classical music festival invited its visitors to take a musical stroll through Ingolstadt, with performances at ten event venues – from a salon concert in the living room of a classical music fan to the symphony concert in the City Theater to a violin duo at the Museum for Concrete Art. And the very eclectic supporting program – including talks with artists and pre-concert lectures – was very popular with audiences. What’s more, collaborations with local partners like the Taktraumfestival serve to strengthen the community spirit of the Audi Summer Concerts. “The Audi Summer Concerts were once again a very special highlight in the cultural life of Ingolstadt, with outstanding artists who shared their talent at many different locations,” said Christian Lösel, Mayor of the City of Ingolstadt.
Promoting young talent has also been a focal point of the festival for many years. Ten years after it was founded, the Audi Young Persons’ Choral Academy marked its anniversary with a performance of Joseph Haydn’s “Schöpfung” (Creation). In addition, young people from Ingolstadt will also collaborate creatively on Haydn’s oratorio as part of a project specially conceived with the city’s Stadtjugendring.
Since 1990, world-class soloists, orchestras and chamber music ensembles have been delighting audiences in Ingolstadt at the Audi Summer Concerts. Since its founding, the classical music festival has attracted more than a quarter million visitors to the concert halls.