The world’s only regularly occurring Shostakovich festival.
The festival also promises a varied program in 2026 with works by composers who influenced Shostakovich or were in his circle, including Gustav Mahler, Mieczysław Weinberg, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Alfred Schnittke and Erwin Schulhoff. A special discovery is the little-known Belarusian composer Lev Abeliovich, whose works will be performed here for the first time in Europe.
You can look forward to top-class artists such as Gidon Kremer and the Kremerata Baltica, the pianist Elisabeth Leonskaja (this year's winner of the Shostakovich Prize) and the Quatuor Danel. The Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden is also represented as a sponsor orchestra under the direction of Ingo Metzmacher.
In addition to chamber music and orchestral concerts, special highlights such as a grand closing concert with renowned soloists (on June 28, 2026), a book presentation on Shostakovich's life (on June 26) and a special concert at the Dresden Kulturpalast under the direction of Philippe Jordan (on June 24) await you.
In collaboration with the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden and internationally renowned artists and ensembles, a varied program is presented every year in Shostakovich's honour.
