Sound, conquest and freedom: the 48th International Handel Festival in Karlsruhe combines historical masterpieces and modern reflection - from February 20 to March 8, 2026.
Every year, the Handel Festival series in Karlsruhe brings a world of baroque sound art into the here and now in the fan-shaped city. At the center of the 2026 edition is the opera "Tamerlano" by George Frideric Handel (premiere 1724). The motto "Steadfastness and contempt are weapons against tyranny" takes up themes such as oppression, power and liberation - both politically and artistically. Under the direction of René Jacobs and with the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra, a scenic realization is created that combines historical depth with contemporary access.
The program is complemented by other opera, concert, chamber and fringe formats: from the pastoral "Atalanta" and the magical spectacle "Rinaldo" to crossover galas, organ creations and the international Farinelli competition for countertenors. Music is not only performed in Karlsruhe - it is reflected upon, discussed and celebrated. The festival specifically invites the city into its program: church halls, libraries, cinemas or salons - numerous venues open up for sound and encounters.
For a good two weeks, Karlsruhe is transformed into a meeting place for the international baroque scene: top-class artists and young talents come together, audiences from all over the world come together - and experience Handel's music no longer as museum heritage, but as a living contemporary impulse.
February 20 to March 8, 2026
