Tiroler Festspiele Erl Announces Eclectic 2026 Easter Program

From Bach's Johannes-Passion to Duke Ellington's Sacred Concert, the festival promises a blend of tradition and innovation.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 12:35am by Ben Kaplan

The Tiroler Festspiele Erl in Austria is set to present an exciting lineup for its 2026 Easter season, featuring a diverse program that spans classical, sacred, and jazz music. The festival will stage a new production of Wagner's Parsifal, a performance of Bach's Johannes-Passion, and a rare presentation of Duke Ellington's Sacred Concert, among other offerings.

Why it matters

The Tiroler Festspiele Erl has long been a hub for classical music and spiritual expression, with its Passion plays and sacred music performances. This year's program signals the festival's continued commitment to blending tradition and innovation, attracting international talent, and engaging the local community through initiatives like family-friendly concerts.

The details

The festival will feature a new staging of Wagner's Parsifal, with American tenor Jamez McCorkle in the title role and Ricarda Merbeth as Kundry. Renowned bass René Pape will reprise his role as Gurnemanz. Additionally, the festival will present Johann Sebastian Bach's Johannes-Passion on Good Friday, with up-and-coming conductor Tobias Wögerer leading the performance. The most intriguing element of the program is the inclusion of Duke Ellington's Sacred Concert, a unique fusion of jazz and spiritual expression, featuring the Big Band of the University of Mozarteum Salzburg and the Bachchor Salzburg.

  • Performances run from March 29th to April 6th, 2026.
  • The Johannes-Passion will be performed on Good Friday.

The players

Tiroler Festspiele Erl

An annual classical music festival held in the village of Erl, Austria, known for its Passion plays and sacred music performances.

Jamez McCorkle

An American tenor who will sing the title role in the festival's production of Wagner's Parsifal.

Ricarda Merbeth

A soprano who will perform the role of Kundry in the festival's Parsifal production.

René Pape

A renowned bass who will reprise his role as Gurnemanz in the festival's Parsifal production.

Tobias Wögerer

An up-and-coming conductor who will lead the performance of Bach's Johannes-Passion.

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What’s next

Tickets for the Tiroler Festspiele Erl's 2026 Easter season are expected to sell out quickly, so music lovers are advised to book their tickets in advance on the festival's website.

The takeaway

The Tiroler Festspiele Erl's 2026 program showcases the festival's commitment to blending classical, sacred, and jazz music, attracting international talent, and engaging the local community, solidifying its reputation as a hub for innovative and diverse classical music programming.