When the South German Broadcasting Corporation founded the Schwetzingen Festival back in 1952 together with the Rhine-Neckar District and the town of Schwetzingen, nobody probably ever thought that it would become one of the most renowned international music festivals.

One of the most beautiful palaces and park complexes in Europe, near the famous city of Heidelberg, forms an ideal setting for top-class musical events.

Elector Carl Theodor created this gem around 250 years ago, and the Southwest German Broadcasting Corporation (SWR) organises a large number of international concerts and music theatre events every year, beginning at the end of April and running until the first week of June.

Every year one world premiere opera is presented during the Schwetzingen Festival as well as at least one rediscovered opera from former centuries, performed on period instruments. The wide range of concerts features famous artists such as Gidon Kremer, Cecilia Bartoli, Christoph Prégardien, Tokyo String Quartet, András Schiff, Il Giardino Armonico and Sabine Meyer as well as young artists at the start of their career. Artists such as Barbara Hendricks, Cecilia Bartoli, Fritz Wunderlich and Teresa Berganza have therefore performed at Schwetzingen Festival as absolute beginners as well as at the height of their career.