Classical highlight: Organ & singing in Ostheim – secure your tickets now!

Classical highlight: Organ & singing in Ostheim – secure your tickets now!

A very special concert will take place in the tranquil community of Ostheim vor der Rhön on Friday, July 4th, 2025. Under the title “Organ & Singing”, visitors can expect a first-class musical experience in the Church of St. Michael on the fortified church. It starts at 6 p.m. and the entry price is a fair 12 euros. Anyone who is enthusiastic about baroque music should mark this event in their calendar, because there is certainly a lot to discover here.

The talented mezzo-soprano Marianne Schechtel and the accomplished organist Andreas Conrad will be there. Marianne is not only a member of the ensemble of the Meiningen State Theater, but also shines in renowned roles such as Eboli in Verdi's "Don Carlos", Carmen in Bizet's "Carmen" and other major opera works. Her career is on the rise, and in 2024 she was nominated for the German Theater Prize (Faust Prize) for her acting performance in the premiere of “Ghosts”. Andreas Conrad brings his expertise as district cantor at the town church of St. Georg in Schmalkalden, where he has worked since 2008.

A masterpiece of the organ building tradition

The main organ of the fortified church has a special history. It was built in 1738 by the important organ builder Johann Ernst Döring and is now considered the largest surviving instrument from his workshop. It is even said that the organ has 30 sounding stops consisting of 2144 pipes. A real gem! The concert takes place on this baroque organ, and listeners have the opportunity to enjoy poignant works by master composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel and Georg Muffat.

Marianne and Andreas also have a close artistic collaboration, which extends to many concerts in the Thuringian area. Andreas Conrad studied at the Tübingen Church Music University and the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis and brings with him a top-class repertoire of baroque music. Marianne also enjoyed her musical training in Lübeck and Berlin, where she attended numerous master classes with well-known artists.

Cultural highlight

This concert represents a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the fascinating world of organ music and vocal art. The combination of Andreas Conrad's first-class organ playing and Marianne Schechtel's vocal performance promises a unique experience. The event is part of the Thuringian Organ Summer, a series of concerts that honor and promote the tradition of organ music.

Those responsible for the concert cordially invite all music lovers to take part and let themselves be carried away by the beauty of the music. Experience how history and contemporary interpretations come to life in the Church of St. Michael. For further information, the Thuringian Organ Summer website is available, where you can find everything you need to know about the concert. Be there and enjoy an unforgettable evening full of music and passion!

Further details can be found at Rhön Canal and Organ summer. Information about the artists is available here Christopher Keller.