Summer Night Concert: Friedrich Kleinhapl & Friends | About Shostakovich

Summer Night Concert Kleinhapl & Friends presents “About Shostakovich” at the Kasematten in Graz. On July 16, 2026, the Schlossberg will become a stage for music, drama, and a subtle, dense story about Dmitri Shostakovich.

At the center is a dialogue written by Heidrun Maya Hagn and Friedrich Kleinhapl after a long engagement with the composer. An unknown woman challenges Shostakovich to a game of chess. Move by move, the game transforms into a conversation about fear, love, conformity, and conscience. Why does this woman know so much about his life? And why does she ask exactly those questions he can no longer evade? Karl Markovics plays Shostakovich, Dörte Lyssewski the unknown woman. Accompanying music by Dmitri Shostakovich, expressive, angular, and at the same time full of subtle nuances, will be performed by Friedrich Kleinhapl on cello, Kim Barbier on piano, and Peter Szasz on violin, giving the evening its sound.

The Kasematten above Graz are well suited for this program: open sky, ancient walls, a view of the city, and an atmosphere that remains close to the music. Those seeking classical music and enjoying how text and sound intertwine will find a special summer evening in the Graz Region here. Tickets are available online.
Before the concert, Schlossberg Restaurant will offer a coordinated dinner with Christof Widakivich and his team at 5:30 p.m. Registration required +43 316 840000.

Schlossberg is accessible by public transportation to the foot of the mountain.