Current Events

Sunday, May 17, 2:00 p.m.

Reception and guided tours for guests from BfB Bonn
followed by coffee and refreshments at DIEHL’s Hotel with the guests

Thursday, May 28, 5:00 p.m.
Chamber concert by the Sedlak Virtuosi (members of
the Camerata Prague): Handel, Vivaldi, Mozart, Haydn,
Glière, Borodin, Suk, Sarasate, Dvořák, and
Smetana

HERE you can find our complete program of events 2026

HERE you can find information to our new Exhibition

From
association life

Debut Concert 2026

In the photo, from left to right, flanked by Dr. Joachim Kneis and Dr. Gabriele Rott:
Merlin Stamer and Raphael Panne (both flute), Bence Schrod (piano), Joel Jacob Stambke (vocals – bass), Lio Fangyuan Köhler (piano), Robert Zsizsnyovski and Radoslav Poberezhnyi (both violin), Veronika Zaikina (piano), Mariia Yermak (piano), Isabella Martin (piano), Eva Terentieva (piano), Kamila Tolkachova (piano), Yulika Ideue (cello).

For the 11th time, the sponsors invited young winners of the “Jugend musiziert” regional competition to perform their programs before an audience in the chamber music hall of the Mutter Beethoven Haus. Since this year’s competition focused, among other things, on solo piano, string ensembles, wind ensembles, and vocal music, a very diverse program was once again put together: from Telemann and Bach to Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Prokofiev, the “unjustly forgotten” composers, and other Romantic-era composers, the audience marveled at the musical and technical maturity of the young musicians from our region. The long applause after nearly two hours rewarded the young artists, to whom the sponsors were also able to present a small token of appreciation once again.
We hope that all participants were successful in the state competition, and we look forward to seeing them again next year.
Teachers and parents have once again assured us of how important this concert experience is for the children and young people, and so we plan to offer this opportunity to the prize winners again in March 2027.

Obituary
It is with deep sadness that we must say goodbye to our loyal member Gerhard Richner, who passed away unexpectedly on January 16. He often delighted and enriched us with his music and knowledge. All those who were there will remember his “farewell concert” on November 9 vividly. We could not have known that this would also be a farewell to the beloved Gerhard Richner.

We mourn with his wife Helga, his sons and their families, and all his relatives, and wish them comfort and support.

On behalf of the Executive Board
Regina Walter

--------------------------------

New acquisition by the association: reconstruction of a historical ladies' dress
based on designs from the second half of the 18th century

Dr. Bettermann presents “Madame Beethoven” wearing a historical ladies' dress.
(Photo: Regina Walter)

Maria Magdalena van Beethoven loved beautiful dresses and owned an elegant wardrobe. At least that is what Cäcilie Fischer (1762-1845) remembered, who lived in the same house as her for many years and was in close contact with her and her family. This fact inspired the friends and supporters of the Mutter-Beethoven-Haus to commission the reconstruction of a festive dress that would correspond to those Beethoven's mother. Dr. Beate Marks-Hanßen, Purpurvilla, Bonn, undertook the task of making the dress, the undergarments, and the bonnet. She based her work on depictions from Bonn and Koblenz that were created in the second half of the 18th century—such as a portrait of Anna Ries, who was married to Ludwig van Beethoven's violin teacher. A silhouette showing Helene and Eleonore von Breuning and a portrait of Jakob von Düsseldorf's wife, which can be seen in the basement of the museum, also served as models. The resulting ensemble, exhibited in the Mutter-Beethoven-Haus museum, consists of a dress in the style of the so-called “robe à l'anglaise” (English-style dress), as worn during the lifetime of Maria Magdalena van Beethoven by ladies of the nobility and the upper middle class, and an organza bonnet with large bows and satin ribbons. But it is not only the outer garment that corresponds to historical models from the second half of the 18th century, but also the undergarments. A bodice (laced bodice) and two voluminous petticoats were worn over a shirt. And the “robe à l'anglaise” also has a special feature, the “Cul de Paris” (i.e., the puffing up of the dress at the back of the body by means of two petticoats worn under the skirts). And a special feature of the "Robe à l'anglaise,“ the ”Cul de Paris" (i.e., the puffing up of the dress at the back of the body by means of two pads worn under the skirts), was not omitted either. However, these garments can only be seen at special presentations in the museum.

(HERE are more pictures of the new acquisition)

Excursion to Speyer on September 27, 2025

Association cronicle

Press release

Declaration of membership