Heidelberg International Song Centre

Heidelberg is the city of the art song – from the medieval Codex Manesse, the song collection “Des Knaben Wunderhorn” and “Der Zupfgeigenhansl” at the beginning of the 20^th century to the new folk song movement and the emergence of German Hip Hop. By establishing the International Song Centre, Heidelberg continues this path into the future. The centre intends to be a meeting place and hub for international initiatives; innovation trigger, platform, generator and inspirator, a lied-workshop throughout the centuries and across genre boundaries. The art song needs to be deciphered in its context of cultural history and to be reviewed for its relevance for our present age.

One emphasis will be on supporting young singers, not only through the “Das Lied” song competition, but also through the Lied Academy directed by Thomas Hampson. In addition, the centre is meant to provide an attractive platform for connecting performers, composers and artists and to pursue an interdisciplinary approach. There are plans to establish an international network that helps the art song regain influence in concert life by creating joint projects and performance opportunities.