MAHLER IN LEIPZIG

All 10 Mahler Symphonies plus Opera in Dresden. 12 nights in Deluxe Rooms at the Steigenberger GrandHotel Handelshof. Day trips to Dresden and Halle. Gourmet cuisine & wine.

In May of 2023 we will attend, for the very first time, the Mahler Festival in Leipzig.

The superb Gewandhausorchester will play host in the city that was home to the composer for two decisive years of his life. This is a unique opportunity to hear the complete symphonies interpreted by 9 world-class orchestras under the batons of 9 of the world’s finest conductors, all in the city in which Mahler became a true symphonic composer. Andris Nelsons conducts the Gewandhausorchester for Symphonies 2 & 8, while the others are as follows:

Symphony No. 1 – Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester (Daniele Gatti)

Symphony No. 3 – Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden (Christian Thielemann)

Symphony No. 4 – Munich Philharmonic (Valery Gergiev)

Symphony No. 5 – Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (Myung-Whun Chung)

Symphony No. 6 – Czech Philharmonic (Semyon Bychkov)

Symphony No. 7 – Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks (Daniel Harding)

Symphony No. 9 – Budapest Festival Orchestra (Iván Fischer)

Symphony No. 10 – City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla)

Our performance at the Semperoper in Dresden will be announced in spring of 2022. We will have best seats for all performances.

Leipzig has become one of the most popular destinations in Europe, ever since the New York Times listed it as one of its “places to go” in 2010, touting its music scene and burgeoning artist community. The historic central area of Leipzig features a renaissance-style ensemble of buildings from the 16th century, including the old city hall in the market place. There are also several Baroque trading houses and former residences of wealthy merchants. We stay at the elegant Steigenberger GrandHotel Handelshof and enjoy private, guided touring, including day trips to Dresden and Halle.

ITINERARY

TUESDAY, MAY 16

Independent departures for overnight flights (from North America) to Leipzig.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17

Upon arrival (Leipzig, Dresden or Berlin) you are met and transferred to the Steigenberger Handelshof Hotel in Leipzig.

19.00 Once settled in our rooms, we gather in the hotel lobby for a Reception before our Welcome Dinner at the hotel’s Brasserie Le Grand.

THURSDAY, MAY 18 

10.00 Following breakfast (included each day) we gather in the lobby and depart for a private guided walking tour of Leipzig (Marketplace, Old City Hall, Stock Exchange, church of St. Nicholas).

13.00 Following the tour, lunch is included at the nearby Restaurant Auerbachs Keller, made famous in Goethe’s Faust.

20.00 Andris Nelsons conducts the Gewandhausorchester for Symphony No. 2. 

FRIDAY, MAY 19

10.00 This morning we meet and tour the Museum of Musical Instruments.

12.30 Following our tour, lunch and the afternoon are at leisure.

20.00 Symphony No. 4 – Munich Philharmonic (Valery Gergiev)

SATURDAY, MAY 20

10.00 Today we embark upon and fun and casual food and beer tour of Leipzig, with a special lunch.

20.00 Symphony No. 5 – Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (Myung-Whun Chung).

SUNDAY, MAY 21

10.00 Today we attend a service at Thomaskirche, a Lutheran church dating back to the 12th Century, where J.S. Bach was musical director. We then tour the Bach Museum, with interactive musical displays and original manuscripts.

17.45 Tonight we enjoy an early dinner.

20.00 Symphony No. 10 – City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla)

MONDAY, MAY 22

10.00 Today we visit the Botanical Gardens and also the site of the Battle of the Nations, where Napoleon was defeated at the hands of the combined forces (the Sixth Coalition) of Russia, Austria, Prussia, Sweden. 

20.00 Symphony No. 7 – Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks (Daniel Harding)

TUESDAY, MAY 23

10.00 Today we tour Leipzig University, one of the oldest in the world, and also the Egyptian Museum.

17.45 Early dinner is included before Symphony No. 9 – Budapest Festival Orchestra (10.00; Iván Fischer)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 24

09.30 This morning we depart for a short trip to Halle, birthplace of Handel, to see sites associated with his early life, as well as those related to Martin Luther and Napoleon.

12.30 Lunch is included in Halle.

13.45 We board our coach and return to our hotel in Leipzig.20.00 Symphony No. 1 – Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester (Daniele Gatti)

THURSDAY, MAY 25

10.00 Today we visit Mendelssohn-Haus, a museum opened in honour of Felix Mendelssohn on the 150th anniversary of his death.

20.00 Symphony No. 3 – Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden (Christian Thielemann). Dinner is included at the Gewandhaus after the performance.

FRIDAY, MAY 26

Enjoy the morning at leisure.20.00 Andris Nelsons conducts the Gewandhausorchester for Symphony No. 8. 

SATURDAY, MAY 27

10.00 Day trip to Dresden, where we enjoy a guided walking tour of the Old Town, including the Frauenkirche, see the Rezidenzschloss, and then have an early dinner before a performance of Le nozze di Figaro (7pm) at the Semperoper. Back at hotel in Leipzig by midnight.

SUNDAY, MAY 28

11.00 Symphony No. 6 – Czech Philharmonic (Semyon Bychkov)18.00 Following an afternoon at leisure, we meet for a Farewell Dinner.

MONDAY, MAY 29

Airport transfers are included and will be arranged on-site.

TOUR INCLUDES

• Top Category seats for 10 Mahler symphonies plus Le nozze di Figaro in Dresden

• 12 nights in Deluxe rooms at the Steigenberger Handelshof Hotel

• Full breakfast daily, 5 lunches and 6 dinners 

• Private tours as listed

• Airport-hotel transfers 

• On-site Tour Direction

• Comprehensive Tour Guidebook

FLIGHTS

Flights are not included in tour pricing. Return flights should be booked to Leipzig for arrival on May 17, departure on May 29.

TRANSFERS

We provide airport/rail station—hotel transfers for arrivals and departures within within 3 days of the start/end of our tour from the cities listed above. We also provide transfers for group meals and performances that are beyond a 10 minute walk.

MOBILITY

There is minimal walking with some stairs during the guided tours. As for all of our tours, we are happy to accommodate you regardless of your mobility level. Please make clear your mobility concerns at the time of registration. We provide transfers for group meals and performances that are beyond a 10 minute walk.

INSURANCE

We strongly recommend that all tour members purchase cancellation insurance upon registration. We can assist you with this, though you are welcome to purchase a policy at your own discretion. For more information about our travel insurance, click here.