Cultural Highlights

Summer is coming to an end, the stream of tourists is ebbing and Regensburg belongs to the Regensburgers again. En-joy September - a month shaped by a new variety of exhibitions and heightened endeavors to inspire you culturally.

Music
We have already reported about the new cathedral organ in the English news, but here's some precise information about the dates of the international organ week in the collegiate basilica Alte Kapelle (Old Chapel). On  September 13 and 14 respectively, at 8 p.m., you will have the opportunity to hear the Pope Benedict Organ. The collegiate organist Wolfgang Hörlin, will be playing Bach, Muffat, Hummel und Rheinberger, as well as free improvisations. On 24th, the Baroque specialist, Ton Koopman from Amsterdam, will have the honor, he will be performing Bach and Buxtehude. The final organ day will be on October 3, with Handel and Haydn, this day the Hassler Consort will be playing on original instruments next to the organ. Those who prefer a little more jazz, should definitely swing by the Leerer Beutel on September 22 at 8 p.m., where Hornstrom (jazz with two trombones) will be performing, while classical jazz can be found on September 29, also at 8 p.m.- with the Sasse Bernstein Quartet and music in the tradition of Oscar Peterson, Ahmad Jamal und Bill Evans.

Theater
The summer break ends in September, with a true classic - Puccini's “Tosca” is kicking off the new Regenburg Theater's season. On September 25, 27 and 30, at 7.30 p.m., the singer Tosca stabs the Napoleonic governor Scarpia, before her lover Mario dies in a hail of bullets and Tosca, on the run, hurls herself into the Tiber from the Castel Sant'Angelo. If that's too unsettling, you can indulge in a piece of Bavarian tradition and visit the Bauerntheater (farmer's theater). However, this commonly loved entertainment form requires an understanding of the local dialect in order to follow the plot and dialogue. The comedy, Der ehrliche Lügner (The Honest Liar), is showing from September 19 at 8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday at Kneitinger's Hubertushöhe, Wilhelm-Raabe-Strasse 1, don’t be surprised. People eat and drink a lot while enjoying the show.

Art
Every year, the donumenta, an art and culture series takes a close look at another one of the countries through which the Danube flows. It is traditionally a highlight every autumn in Regensburg's cultural institutions and focuses on contemporary art. Slovakia is the guest in 2009, with exhibitions in the Kunstforum Ostdeutsche Galerie (Art Forum East German Gallery) - opening on September 20 and a big show in the Leerer Beutel Museum – from September 24. A lot of space is given to experiment and risk, the installations often appear unsettling and require explanation.  Direct comparison to art by native artists is possible in the 83rd annual show at the oldest art society in the city, which is displaying paintings, graphics, photography and art objects in the exhibition rooms in Ludwig Street (Caution: Construction site!).

Nature
Insider tip: Very few Regensburg travelers, and certainly not the day tourist, find their way to Herzog's Park, a small park designed with an eye for variety. It combines a renaissance garden, rose gardens and parts of the old city fortification to create a holistic work of art. Here you can find tranquility and a long-lasting positive impression of Regensburg.

(Photo: Erik Šille, Slowly I damage your home, 2008)

28.08.09 - online redaktion