When does the event start?

The lecture begins on May 30, 2026, at 16:30.

Where does the event take place?

At the AWO Kulturhaus Babelsberg located at Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 135 in 14482 Potsdam.

Is there an admission fee?

No, admission is free. Donations are requested.

Is the venue accessible?

According to the event announcement, the event date is not designated as accessible.

Is there information about tickets?

No regular tickets are needed as entry is free.

What is the content about?

The lecture highlights Franz Benda as a violinist, composer, and significant figure in Prussian music culture.

Franz Benda in Potsdam: A Rare Evening Full of Court Music and History

Name: Franz Benda - Refugee from Bohemia and Violin Virtuoso at the Court of King Frederick II.
Start: 2026-05-30T18:30:00+02:00
End: 2026-05-30T18:30:00+02:00
Location: AWO Kulturhaus Babelsberg

Franz Benda in Potsdam: An Evening Between Flight, Court Music, and Prussian Sound History

With Franz Benda, one of the most fascinating figures of the music culture of the 18th century comes into focus at the AWO Kulturhaus Babelsberg. Klaus Harer's lecture as part of the Bohemian Days Babelsberg 2026 tells the story of a life between uprooting and ascent, of Bohemian origin, Prussian court, and the musical brilliance that made Franz Benda a prominent violin virtuoso and composer.

A Lifelong Journey that Shaped Music History

Franz Benda was born in 1709 and worked from 1733 in the chapel of Crown Prince Frederick, later in the royal court chapel of Frederick II. Until his death in 1786, he remained closely connected to the musical world of Prussia. His career represents an era in which courtly representation, virtuosity, and compositional elegance were condensed in a special way.

Between Bohemia and Berlin: The Great Line of His Biography

The evening offers a glimpse into the tumultuous history of a musician who fled from poverty, serfdom, and confessional unfreedom and found a new home in Prussia. It is precisely this biographical tension that makes Benda so interesting to this day: He was not only a court musician but also a symbolic figure for cultural mobility, adaptation, and artistic perseverance.

Prussian Music Culture in Focus

The event places Franz Benda in the context of 18th-century Prussian music culture. Those who are enthusiastic about baroque and early classical sound worlds will experience an evening with historical depth. Klaus Harer scientifically contextualizes the life and work of the violinist and opens a view into the musical practice at the court of Frederick II, where virtuosity and style consciousness were closely intertwined.

A Place with History and Audience Proximity

The AWO Kulturhaus Babelsberg is perfectly suited for this format: a historic house in Potsdam-Babelsberg, with its small room structure ideal for lectures, concerts, and cultural encounters. The event will take place in a small, focused setting, providing the best conditions for an immediate live atmosphere and an intense concert experience in the broader sense.

What Visitors Can Expect

Those who come to Potsdam will experience a well-researched lecture evening about a significant musician of the 18th century, supported by historical substance and lively presentation. Franz Benda appears here not as a distant figure from the textbook, but as a person, virtuoso, and composer of surprising relevance. A visit is worthwhile for anyone who wants to experience music history up close, clearly, and atmospherically.

Experience this evening live in Babelsberg and immerse yourself in the sound world of Frederick the Great.