Bachfest Leipzig shows "Transformation" of the composer

The motto of this year's Bachfest Leipzig is "Transformation". This overarching title offers the opportunity to create a very diverse program, said director Michael Maul. For the first time, more than 200 events will take place at the eleven-day festival. It will open on 12 June with a concert in the Thomaskirche and run until 22 June.

"Throughout his life, Bach studied, copied, performed and internalized the works of other composers with great curiosity and also honed his style in the process," said Maul. He also used his own compositions again and again. The famous Mass in B minor, for example, was not composed in one go, but in stages. These transformations are to be brought to life at the Bach Festival.

Virtual encounter with Bach

Intendant Maul also announced an "absolute special guest": Augmented reality will enable an encounter with Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) - at least almost. At a virtual concert, the master would sit down at the harpsichord for the guests and chat a little. All 24 performances are already sold out.

Last year, almost 76,000 visitors came to the Leipzig Bach Festival, more than 40 percent of them from abroad. Tickets have been sold all over the world again this year - to 51 countries so far. Among others, a Bach fan from Botswana had secured tickets this time, said artistic director Maul.