Organisers

Musikfestspiele Sanssouci and Nikolaisaal Potsdam gGmbH
in co-operation with
Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation Berlin-Brandenburg

Supported by:
Landeshauptstadt Potsdam
Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kultur des Landes Brandenburg
Ministerium für Infrastruktur und Raumordnung des Landes Brandenburg and
with the help of Hauptstadtvertrag


Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festival and Nikolaisaal gGmbH

1991
The Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festival GmbH was founded as the first non-profit cultural company in the state capital Potsdam. Dr. Andrea Palent was appointed as artistic and commercial director.

The Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festival emanated from the Sanssouci Park Festival, founded in 1954. With a new artistic concept, the Music Festival soon became an important part of the cultural environment in the federal state of Brandenburg and achieved international renown.

1994
The 250th anniversary of the Sanssouci Palace was organised by the Music Festival on behalf of the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation Berlin-Brandenburg.

From 1994 till 1999 the company organised the international cultural festival »Meeting Arts and Culture in Brandenburg« on behalf of the Ministry of Science, Research and Culture of the federal state of Brandenburg.

1999
The company became operating company for the concert and event venue Nikolaisaal Potsdam.

2000
On the 27th of August, the Nikolaisaal was opened to the public. It soon after became the essential centre for music in the cultural life of Brandenburgs state capital. Many famous artists have visited since, including Jan Garbarek, Die Söhne Mannheims, Loriot, Juliette Greco, Yann Tiersen, Barbara Hendricks, and Joy Denalane, amongst others.

2004
The Music Festival celebrates the 50-year anniversary of Festivals in the palaces and parks of Sanssouci.

2005
Because of the widened field of activity, the company was renamed to Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festival and Nikolaisaal gGmbH. A staff of 13 employees is tending to the various activities.

In the Einstein Year 2005, the German-American co-production of »Terpsicore« by Georg Friedrich Händel was the cultural highlight of the German organised meeting of Nobel laureates at the New Palace at Sanssouci.

Especially noteworthy parts of the work of the company are co-operations with regional, national or international partners like the Kammerakademie Potsdam, the German Film Orchestra Babelsberg, the Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin, the Innsbruck Festival of Early Music, the St. Petersburg Early Music Festival, the Bayreuth Baroque Festival and other European palace theatres as well as with various European embassies.

2006
The company hits a new high with a total of 115.000 visitors and a capacity utilisation of 84%.


The board of trustees
of the Potsdam Sanssouci Music Festival and Nikolaisaal gGmbH

Representatives for the city of Potsdam
Ms. Gabriele Fischer (Chairman)
Ms. Monika Scholl
Ms. Dr. Karin Schröter
Mr. Eberhard Kapuste

Representative for the federal state of Brandenburg
Mr. Jürgen Hinz

Representative for the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation Berlin-Brandenburg
Dr. Tilman von Stockhausen