A festival without boundaries
Radically reinterpreted classics, outstanding world premieres, multimedia spectacles, young talents, and real world stars – in Leverkusen, Wuppertal and other venues around Bayer AG locations, the stARTfestival has established itself since 2021 as a series of events that rethinks culture and makes it an experience for all the senses.
The heart of the festival is the Erholungshaus in Leverkusen. The Scala Club, just a few kilometers away, and exceptional locations like Altenberger Dom in Odenthal are also represented as venues. The visually and acoustically phenomenal Historic City Hall in Wuppertal hosts two orchestras each year that don't perform there regularly. The cultural program has also been enjoyed by audiences in Berlin, Leipzig, and Eisenach.
Artists need freedom to shine
The festival is also a creative platform for the young artists of the stARTacademy. Bayer Arts and Culture facilitates their networking among themselves and with established stars. For their performances, they are often given the opportunity to engage in a creative process with a "Carte Blanche." This results in exciting and unprecedented programs – and Bayer Arts and Culture makes a significant contribution to a vibrant and diverse music landscape.
An artwork is great but rarely performed? Let's hear it!
The program consistently crosses genre boundaries and holds surprises for curious culture enthusiasts.
Whether rarely heard works or often underestimated instruments, Bayer Arts and Culture loves to present them in a new light. Thus, the accordion becomes a magical toolbox, the tuba a solo instrument, an entire concert evening surprises with Humperdinck's rarely played (and charming!) Wagner arrangements, or Frédéric Chopin's work gets a modern electronic twist.
Eyes and ears open – experiencing music in a completely different way
In 2024, Bayer Arts and Culture invited the audience to a lounge night: comfortably lying down right next to the grand piano on the stage, it experienced the sounds of pianist Beatrice Berrut. Multitalented Marc Schwämmlein and his cross-creative team have already presented imaginative family concerts with live-painted stage designs twice. The flexible seating of the Erholungshaus also allows for concert evenings with arena seating. This format enables an intense musical experience, where the audience meets the artists up close and on eye level.
Key Visual: Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo © Hanne Engwald
The stARTfestival program is published annually at the end of October. Send us an email with your address to be added to our postal and email distribution list.
