Interventions, participation, talks & discussion
Whether a stopover at our Biennale Bike, composition workshops for children, geek know-how in the evenings, discussion forums post-show or kicking off the day together with “Polt & Suppe”, the Münchener Biennale offers the inquisitive, families and children the opportunity to join in, participate and discuss.
The central meeting point for this year’s editions of the festival is the TENT on the Muffatwerk Areal, which will be open throughout the festival offering a varied program and sparkling drinks.
Discourse
Was gibt's? & Absacker
45 minutes before the first note is played we come together to ask, “Was gibt’s?” - “what’s up?” and to offer some initial insights into each music theatre production. Equally, after the performance we invite you to a “Absacker” - “nightcap”, during which we create space for you to chat to each other as well as with the artists.
Festival Opening with Barbi Marković
Texts by Barbi Marković balance absurd everyday scenarios with the existential state of the world. Ever since “Minihorror,” a collection of surreal and humorous short stories for which she received the Leipzig Book Fair Prize in 2024, Barbi Marković has been an integral part of the German-language literary and theater scene.
We are delighted that Barbi Marković will be part of the opening ceremony of the Münchener Biennale on 08/05/2026!
THU
14.05.19:00
— 20:50
Hear & Now An introductory format for “Xochiyaoyotl”
schwere reiter
An introductory format for “Xochiyaoyotl”
Incomprehensible, unwieldy, abstract? Contemporary music is often perceived this way—unjustly so. Hear & Now brings you closer to contemporary music. In conversation with composers and performers, moderated by cultural journalist Rita Argauer, you will learn more about the works before they are performed in the concert. Questions are welcome!
Around Biennale Format Try-Outs with Students of the Kunstuniversität Graz
Format Try-Outs with Students of the Kunstuniversität Graz
Students from the Master’s program in Music and Theatre Education at the Kunstuniversität Graz develop their own experimental formats within selected productions of the Münchener Biennale.
As part of “Was gibt’s?”, the senses are sharpened and curiosity about the productions is sparked. During the shared “Absacker”, spaces for conversation and reflection emerge, inviting participants to deepen their impressions together. Artistic interventions along the routes between venues ensure that the journey quite literally becomes part of the destination.
SAT
09.05.11:00
— 12:30
Hans Werner Henze - Komponist, Kommunist, Dandy Film & Talk
Theatiner Filmtheater
Film & Talk
External resistance to his person and his work, experiences with National Socialism and war, internal conflicts as a homosexual musician, and even public attacks: all these were formative experiences that made Hans Werner Henze Germany's most political composer. At the same time, with his urbane demeanour, elegant clothing and villa near Rome, he was the epitome of a dandy and bon vivant. He shattered views and preconceptions in both musical and social terms. On the occasion of his 100th birthday in July 2026, this documentary makes the relevance of his music audible and visible – including previously unreleased compositions and documents by Hans Werner Henze.
Contemporary witnesses, students, companions and friends of Hans Werner Henze have their say in the film. They include Ian Bostridge, Jörg Widmann, Barrie Kosky, Michael Kerstan, Riccardo Panfili, Camilla Nylund and Edda Moser.
TENT-Talks
For the 20th edition of the Münchener Biennale, many composers were commissioned to consider where they are now, and together with their teams, look at what influences them and what they deem essential, given the state of the world. The result is a polyphonic panorama of new music theater works that could not be more different and yet exhibit connecting threads. The TENT-Talks open up a shared conceptual space where these different perspectives encounter each other, experts share their knowledge, and we invite you to ask questions, join in the discussion, and share your own thoughts.
FRI
15.05.13:30
— 14:15
Archives with Monthati Masebe and Sophie Emilie Beha
Festival tent
with Monthati Masebe and Sophie Emilie Beha
SAT
16.05.18:30
— 19:15
Musical Devising Process with Joscha Schaback, Daniella Strasfogel and Martina Fladerer
Festival tent
with Joscha Schaback, Daniella Strasfogel and Martina Fladerer
SUN
17.05.17:00
— 17:45
The Münchener Biennale with Katrin Beck and Manuela Kerer
Festival tent
with Katrin Beck and Manuela Kerer
Intervention
Biennale-Bike
Cargo bikes are a common sight in Munich. They transport children, parcels, mobile coffee kiosks, and much more. From the beginning of April until the festival, the Biennale Bike will be out and about in the city bringing the Munich Biennale team into conversation with the city's residents. You might encounter it in the English Garden, or after visiting a museum, perhaps while enjoying your first ice cream of spring or maybe in the middle of Marienplatz. Find out all about the Biennale, listen to the composers' ideas, play a round of table soccer, and find your perfect performance for May.
pong & pengo
New creations are born from leftover materials of theatre productions. The collective pong & pengo operates at the intersection of building culture, visual arts and music, continuing the story of the Munich Biennale with its PONG kiosk in public spaces.
Night Sessions im Ampere
SAT
16.05.21:30
Navid Navab – Organism: „In Turbulence Set 2“ & DJ Aquarian Muffatwerk
FRI
15.05.22:00
Navid Navab – Organism: „In Turbulence Set 1“ & Leila Bordreuil Muffatwerk
SUN
10.05.21:30
Abo Abo + Tania Cortés Becerra: „NEW RUINS“ Experimental A/V performance
Muffatwerk
Experimental A/V performance
SAT
09.05.22:00
Simone Bosco: „REbirth – A/V Concert Real Time Reactive” & DJ Sarmabot Muffatwerk
Participation
THU
23.04.18:00
SAT
09.05.19:00
(Re)Inventing work V01CES//B0D1EZ
Workshop and premiere visit for young adults aged 16 and up
V01CES//B0D1EZ
Workshop and premiere visit for young adults aged 16 and up
What kinds of work do we do? Do we repeat ourselves? Why do we do what we do?
Participants in “Reinventing Work” gain insights into the creative process of a world premiere and reflect on their personal perspectives on work processes, as well as on the resistant artistic viewpoint of the composer Piyawat Louilarpprasert.
The format includes a workshop as well as attendance at a rehearsal and the premiere. The project takes place in cooperation with the Münchener Volkshochschule. Further information and registration options are available here.
SAT
09.05.11:00
— 15:00
SUN
10.05.11:00
— 15:00
MON
11.05.16:00
— 20:00
TUE
12.05.16:00
— 20:00
pong & pengo
The collective pong & Ppengo continues the Münchener Biennale in public space: new creations emerge from leftover materials of the music theatre productions. By experimenting with material remnants—such as fabrics, wood, props, or stage elements—new ideas and objects take shape.
Together, participants create a place where the themes of the Biennale can be further explored within the neighborhood, reinterpreted, and transformed.
Come by and join in!
WED
06.05.17:00
— 20:00
SAT
16.05.19:00
— 22:00
Manga und Music Workshop and premiere visit for young people aged 14 and up
Lights of Art Muffathalle
Workshop and premiere visit for young people aged 14 and up
In collaboration with LOA - Lights of Art of the Kreisjugendring München-Stadt, we invite young people to immerse themselves in the production crypt_ through a manga drawing workshop and to attend the world premiere together at the Muffathalle. More information is available for download here.
SAT
09.05.15:00
— 18:00
THU
14.05.15:00
— 18:00
SUN
17.05.14:00
— 17:00
TENT-Action Festival tent
On three afternoons during the Münchener Biennale, we will take over the tent for spontaneous participatory formats and experiments with our tent piano. Together, we will prepare and design the instrument to elicit completely new sounds from it.
Come by, exchange ideas and participate – whether spontaneously or planned, for a short or long time – open to all age groups.
Better together
Going to the theatre alone? You don't have to. We organise joint events for selected performances. After a simple registration process, we meet before the performance for a drink to get to know each other and a short introduction. A host will accompany you throughout the evening, so you'll always have someone to talk to. And it's just more fun together.