Every year on Ascension Day Leipzig welcomes an international audience to the Bach Festival in celebration of the famous erstwhile cantor of St. Thomas' Church.

The music of Bach brought to life
At Leipzig's Bach Festival, the works of the great composer are performed by internationally acclaimed musicians in venues associated with the great former cantor of St. Thomas' Church's. Alongside Bach's Masses, the festival also boasts orchestral and choral works as well as organ and symphony concerts. The programme is complemented by special exhibitions and events.

The Renaissance Old Town Hall is where Johann Sebastian Bach signed his employment contract as cantor of nearby St. Thomas's Church. St. Nicholas's Church became known throughout the world in 1989 as the starting point of the "peaceful revolution" which paved the way for the reunification of Germany. Visitors can follow in Goethe's footsteps at Auerbachs Keller restaurant.

Leipzig's international reputation as a city of music is inextricably linked with Johann Sebastian Bach and with the Gewandhaus Orchestra, which also plays for productions at Leipzig Opera House and with St. Thomas's Choir at St. Thomas's Church. The opera house has very close associations with Richard Wagner, who was born in Leipzig. Great musicians such as Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann and others also contributed to the flourishing of the city's music and opera. Leipzig also has many contemporary comedy shows, theatres and jazz bars.