Nurturing young artists has always been a hallmark of the Audi Summer Concerts, and that commitment continues in 2026. “For us, the Audi Summer Concerts are so much more than a top-tier festival – they’re an investment in the creative future,” says Xavier Ros, Member of the Board of Management for Human Resources at AUDI AG. “We’re purposefully creating a stage for the next generation of artists. In doing so, we’re making a statement in the international cultural scene while strengthening the cultural opportunities available to people here at Audi’s home in Ingolstadt.”
Open-air classical concerts with young talent
The festival opens on June 26 in Klenzepark, with acclaimed young Israeli clarinetist Elad Navon taking the stage. Last year, the 25-year-old won the prestigious ARD International Music Competition – one of the world’s most renowned contests for classical musicians. The open-air classical concert will also see Mathias Wehr make his debut as the new principal conductor of the Audi Philharmonic Wind Orchestra.
The following evening (June 27), the open-air stage once again belongs to the next generation. The Baltic Sea Philharmonic, bringing together young musicians from Baltic countries, will be joined by soloist Charlotte Melkonian (born 2013), a young cellist already studying under the renowned Jens Peter Maintz at Berlin University of the Arts. Conducted by Robert Trevino, the orchestra will perform works by Jean Sibelius and Pyotr Tchaikovsky, among others. Both Klenzepark events are free to attend.
The focus on tomorrow’s greats continues on July 18 at the Audi museum mobile, when the Barbican Quartet, winners of the 2022 ARD Music Competition, will present an evening of chamber music. The program includes works by Mozart and Ravel, as well as contemporary pieces by Thomas Adès and Sophia Jani.
Baroque meets beatboxing and urban dance in an innovative original production
The festival’s annual original production – developed exclusively for the event – promises a genre-defying reinterpretation of Henry Purcell’s opera “Dido and Aeneas.” It will fuse Baroque music, beatboxing courtesy of Antrix, and urban dance from the Flying Steps. The Berlin-based dance crew will also incorporate students from Ingolstadt schools into their performance. Musical accompaniment will be provided by the vocal ensemble LauschWerk and the Ingolstadt Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra conducted by Ariel Zuckermann. Catch the production on July 4 and 5, starting at 7 p.m. at Ingolstadt Festival Hall.
Another creative highlight comes on July 10 with a guest performance by Jazzrausch Bigband. Known for their electrifying live shows, the Munich-based ensemble will premiere “Verdi’s Breakdown” – a fusion of classical melodies and modern big band sound.
Audi opens up classical music for the next generation
A core mission of the Audi Summer Concerts is to make classical music accessible and exciting for younger audiences. The world premiere of “ADUI und der Geschichtenzauber” (“ADUI and the Magic of Stories”) on July 12 will be a particular highlight for families. After last year’s successful adventure, the beloved robot ADUI returns, joining the Audi Philharmonic Wind Orchestra on a new musical journey for children aged six and up.
Thanks to the long-standing partnership with the Salzburg Festival, the children’s opera “Holle!” – inspired by the Grimm fairy tale – will be performed at the Audi museum mobile on July 19, enchanting audiences aged seven and up. The Audi Summer Concerts’ close ties with Ingolstadt are also reflected in the program for the youngest concertgoers: in collaboration with the city’s Simon Mayr Singing and Music School, the puppet show “The Fisherman and His Wife” takes to the stage on July 25. To make music as accessible as possible, children under the age of ten will enjoy free admission to many festival events.
Audi ensembles at the heart of the festival
At the heart of the Audi Summer Concerts are Audi’s own musical ensembles, who will perform from the festival’s opening to its finale. From the Audi Philharmonic Wind Orchestra and the LauschWerk vocal ensemble to the Audi Young Persons’ Choral Academy, these groups are involved in half of all the evening performances.
The final concert on July 26 promises a powerful climax: the Audi Young Persons’ Choral Academy will join forces with the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin to perform Verdi’s monumental “Messa da Requiem,” ensuring the festival ends on a stirring and unforgettable note.
Ticket presales for the Audi Summer Concerts begin
Presales for the Audi Summer Concerts 2026 begin at 10 a.m. on February 26. Tickets will be available online at www.sommerkonzerte.de, from the ticket hotline at 0841 95 91 95 91, and at all authorized Ticket Regional outlets.