The symbiosis of art and music goes even further and takes place on many different levels. Today we therefore present a selection of museums in Bavaria that are characterised by their musical connection.
Markgräfliches Opernhaus Bayreuth (Upper Franconia)
The imposing building of the Markgräfliches Opernhaus (Margravial Opera House) is bursting with splendour and an overwhelming wealth of detail. The festive and musical culture of the 18th century is brought to life here in its most beautiful form, so it is hardly surprising that this unique monument was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012.
The Margravine Wilhelmine of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, who had an affinity for music and theatre, was in charge of the realisation of this exceptional project and the occasion was a matter close to her heart: the wedding of her daughter Elisabeth Friederike Sophie. Who could imagine a more prestigious backdrop for such a fairytale wedding?
One special feature is the fact that the elaborately decorated interior is modelled on the Italian loggia theatre. All the individual parts made of wood and canvas come together to form a self-supporting construction and have been set into the stone shell of the building, so to speak.
Since its extensive restoration in 2018, the Markgräfliches Opernhaus (Margravial Opera House) in Bayreuth has shone in new splendour and it would be hard to find better illustrative material for the symbiosis of art and music... or would it?
Geigenbaumuseum (Violin making museum) Mittenwald (Upper Bavaria)
A completely different combination of both disciplines is expressed in the arts and crafts. Violin making has always had a long tradition in Mittenwald. The violin can be found everywhere here, as this instrument is to a certain extent the town's landmark. With the opening of the first workshop in the 17th century, the town quickly developed into a world-famous centre of violin making. The Geigenbaumuseum (Violin Making Museum) tells the story of this 300-year success story. It not only combines the history of the craft and the town, but also provides a sensory insight into string instrument making with the help of a complete workshop, historical films, audio and even olfactory samples.
Behind the scenes: In the show workshop, you have the unique opportunity to watch a violin maker at work and ask questions about the technique of violin making.
Orgelbaumuseum Schloss Hanstein e. V. (Organ Building Museum Hanstein Castle e. V.) (Lower Franconia)
If the organ is the "queen of instruments", then organ building is logically the supreme discipline of (artistic) craftsmanship. The organ combines music and art with technical craftsmanship in a unique way. Since ancient times, progress in organ building has repeatedly opened up new worlds of sound that have had a profound impact on musical, intellectual and cultural history.
At the Hanstein Castle Organ Museum, the listening experience is not neglected either: either the organs are played as part of "sounding museum tours" or you can get involved yourself - not with the historical pieces themselves, of course, but at specially set up listening and hands-on stations.
The special orientation as a family museum ensures that this "big" topic is also exciting for the little ones.
Leopold-Mozart-Haus (Swabia)
Now let's move on to the music itself. Everyone really knows him when it comes to musical greats: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. His childhood home certainly played a decisive role in this. You can experience this at first hand in the Leopold-Mozart-Haus (Leopold Mozart House), which was dedicated to his father. He was born in 1719 in the former simple town house north of Augsburg Cathedral.
Of course, without him, the "Mozart miracle" would never have happened. But Leopold Mozart was much more than just "the father". He was deputy conductor, composer, music teacher, author, publisher, loving husband and, last but not least, teacher, manager and Europe-wide tour guide for his children, Wolfgang and "Nannerl". In his birthplace, visitors get to know this fascinating personality in a diverse and exciting way: A museum for listening, feeling and participating together.
Richard Wagner Museum with National Archive of the Richard Wagner Foundation Bayreuth (Upper Franconia)
We now turn our attention to another "opera giant" in the history of music: Richard Wagner.
In 1874, Wagner had the Wahnfried House built according to his own ideas, which he lived in until his death. Here you have the special opportunity to experience the life and work of the composer directly at the historical site.
The ground floor, including the reconstructed dining room and Cosima's "Lila Salon", provides an insight into the period around 1880 and Wagner's world.
The Siegfried Wagner House, where Winifred Wagner lived, has been preserved in its original 1930s interior. The dark side of the Wagner family is highlighted here: the close connection between Bayreuth and the Nazi dictatorship as well as the personal relationships of Wagner's descendants with the National Socialists and Adolf Hitler.
The new museum building, designed by Volker Staab, is dedicated to the performance history of the Bayreuth Festival up to the present day, with historical stage design models, original costumes and stage equipment from the Festspielhaus.
Richard and Cosima Wagner's grave is located in the garden of the house. The National Archive of the Richard Wagner Foundation Bayreuth, which is attached to the museum, preserves written and pictorial documents, printed works and artefacts relating to Richard Wagner and makes them accessible to the public online (external link, opens in a new window).
Museum Kammersänger Bernd Weikl (Museum chamber singer Bernd Weikl) (Lower Bavaria)
Speaking of Richard Wagner. The following opera and concert singer achieved international fame with the role of Hans Sachs in Richard Wagner's opera "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg": Kammersänger Bernd Weikl.
The Museum Kammersänger Bernd Weikl (Museum chamber singer Bernd Weikl) in Bodenmais was dedicated to him. Audio-visual examples introduce you to the most original form of music: the human voice, which finds its expression in singing.
Weikl can look back on a long international career, not only on the opera and concert stage, but also as a director, author and lecturer. With numerous exhibits, from posters and awards to books, videos and sound recordings, the permanent exhibition documents the artist's diverse oeuvre.
Other Museums
- Franz-Liszt-Museum of the City of Bayreuth (Franz Liszt Museum of the City of Bayreuth), Bayreuth
- Bubenreutheum (Instrument Manufacture Museum Bubenreuth)
- Sängermuseum (Singer Museum), Feuchtwangen
- Stadtmuseum mit Max-Reger-Sammlung (City museum with Max Reger collection), Weiden
- Museum of Local History Berching/Christoph Willibald Gluck, Berching
- Werner-Egk Meeting Centre, Donauwörth
- Bayerisches Nationalmuseum (Bavarian National Museum) (collection of musical instruments), Munich
- Carl Orff - Life and work, Dießen am Ammersee
- Kultur- und Orgelzentrum Altes Schloss Valley (Culture and Organ Centre Old Castle Valley), Valley
- Lachner-Museum (Lachner Museum), Rain
- Orgelmuseum Kelheim (Organ Museum Kelheim), Kelheim