Mission

The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra is one of Germany's oldest and finest orchestras. Founded over 250 years ago, the orchestra remains a prominent force in the European classical music scene. To this day, the Gewandhaus Orchestra excels true to its motto "Res severa verum gaudium" ("True pleasure is a serious business"), inscribed on the majestic organ in the Great Hall of the Leipzig Gewandhaus. Due to an increasing number of tours to the United States, the desire to form an American Society of Friends of the Gewandhaus Orchestra was expressed. The orchestra's U.S. tour for the 2009/2010 season will now mark the commencement of the "American Friends of the Gewandhaus Orchestra Leipzig".

It is the mission of the American Friends to raise awareness and funds for the Gewandhaus Orchestra so that it may continue travelling to the United States and enriching American communities with its musical excellence and unique sound. The American Friends strive to promote, cultivate and advance the American public interest in the Gewandhaus Orchestra and the exceptional musical history of the city of Leipzig.

Contributions help to underwrite the Gewandhaus Orchestra's tours to the U.S. and provide material support to the orchestra for its activities there. Thus, the Gewandhaus Orchestra will be able to present an increasing variety of concerts and programs to the American public, furthering the intensive academic musical exchange between the U.S. and the city of Leipzig.