ARTS AND MUSIC

World-class culture on an international level and a vibrant art and music scene have become a matter of course in Leipzig. Painters and musicians, dancers and actors create an artistic force that inspires, electrifies and decisively contributes to the city's attitude towards life.

Many "Artist-run Spaces" are home to alternative galleries, workshops and innovative theatre projects. Figuratively speaking, the international spotlight is on stages such as the Galerie für zeitgenössische Kunst (GFZK) or the Galerie EIGEN + ART; stages such as the Museum der Bildenden Künste or the GRASSI Museum für angewandte Kunst; but also stages in the classical sense such as the Schauspiel Leipzig (site only in german), the Lofft or the annual Festival of contemporary European theatre and dance euro-scene.

Leipzig is known as the artistic home of Johann Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Richard Wagner as well as Clara and Robert Schumann. Leipzig's opera is breathtaking, the voices of the Thomanerchor (site only in german) enchant concertgoers from all over the world and the Gewandhaus Orchestra's grandeur is unique. What's more, the Gewandhaus Orchestra has been inspiring listeners for over 275 years and the ensemble is once again under the direction of a renowned conductor, Andris Nelsons.

However, Leipzig doesn't just cultivate one musical direction. The city lives and breathes its enthusiasm for modern music with the soulful self-confidence that is so typical for Leipzig. Whether it is a big music event, small indie festival, the pulsating club culture, a first-class orchestra performance or an alternative band concert each share a common love for music.

Professional musicians and contemporary composers are trained at the "Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy" Academy of Music and Drama. Event organisers from Leipzig enrich the city with numerous events, and apart from the big concert halls, small labels and locations also find their audience.