The opening evening of the Liedfestival 2026 on June 13 features Thomas Hampson performing Gustav Mahler’s Des Knaben Wunderhorn, joined by Wolfram Rieger on piano, alongside selections by Copland, Bolcom, Schubert, Barber, Bernstein, and more.

Thomas Hampson began his teaching work in Heidelberg in 2006. Over the past two decades, his passionate commitment to art song has shaped generations of emerging artists in the city.

Alongside Hampson, pianist and Head of Studies Elitsa Desseva will perform with alumni of the Heidelberger Frühling Liedakademie, including soprano Katrīna Paula Felsberga, mezzo-soprano Susan Zarrabi, and bass-baritone Jeeyoung Lim.