Festspiele Balver Höhle is an arts festival, featuring musical and theatrical performances, in Balve, Germany. The festival is centered on the cave of Balve (Balver Höhle in German). The association was founded in 1985 in Volkringhausen and based on an idea by Franz Hoffmeister and Theodor Pröpper.
A valuable part of Festspiele Balver höhle is the festival.
The most successful adaption was Pippi in Taka-Tuka-Land in the year 2001. In 2009 they did a piece called "Der kleine Muck".
The German musical director and pianist Justus Frantz was invited by the Festspiele Balver Höhle from 1995 – 2007 each year. In the early years it was a cooperation with the Kreishandwerkerschaft (See also: Trade (profession)) Märkischer Kreis.
He conducted a soulful version of Tchaikovsky's 5th symphony with the Philharmonie der Nationen.
Balver Märchenwochen (1991–2008)Directors: Gabriele Krieger, Josef Bertsch
Irish Folk & Celtic Music (2002–2008)Directors: Sean Reeves, Stephan Haarmann
Internationales Jazz- und Bluesfestival (1970–2005)Directors: Frank Milewski, Bernd Bobbenkamp (2005)
Rustavi ensemble (1988)Carmina Burana (1994)Klangräume (1996)Idea and production by
Joachim-Ernst Berendt.
Earth Spirit (1997)Director: Christian Bollmann. With
Oberton-Chor Düsseldorf.
Tu es Petrus (1997)Played by
Märkisches Jugendsinfonieorchester and sung by
Oratorienchor Letmathe.
Om mani padme hum (2001)Director: Christian Bollmann. With David Ianni.
Aida (2004)Director: ?. Production: Loreley Klassik
Philharmonic Orchestra Hagen (2002)Director: Antony Hermus
Scala & Kolacny Brothers (2005)Katharina von Georgien (1985–1986)Director:
Hermann Wedekind. With Werner Traud (Shah Abbas).
The Crucible (1987)Director: Werner Traud. Performed by
VHS-Theatergruppe Iserlohn.
Peer Gynt (1990)Director: Hermann Wedekind. Performed by
Theaterwerkstatt Melchiorsgrund and a georgian orchestra.
The Caucasian Chalk Circle (1993)Director: Hermann Wedekind. Performed by
Theaterwerkstatt Melchiorsgrund and georgian singers.
Das große Welttheater (1995)Director: Hermann Wedekind. Georgian children ensemble.
Iphigenie auf Tauris (1996)Director: Alfred Gärtner. With Werner Traud (Thoas) and Angela Amecke-Mönnighof (Iphigenie). Additional actor: Sascha Rotermund
Jedermann (2005)Director: Werner Traud
Special features: Frank Butterweck sings the invitation, composed by Linke/Traud.
Krippenspiel (started 1998, initiated by children's ensemble)Christian Bollmann (until 1999)Jazzfestival (until 2005)Johannes Rau († 2006), patron 1985 – 1998Wolfram Kuschke, patron 1999 – 2008In December 2007 Winfried Hagen resigned as chairman together with his wife Gabriele Hagen, his daughter Stephanie Hagen and the arts director Werner Traud.
Agatha Allhoff-Cramer (†), chairman 1985 – 1995Werner Traud, chairman 1996 – 2003Winfried Hagen, chairman 2004 – 2007The director organizes the cultural events at Festspiele Balver Höhle. The board appoints the artistic director.
Hermann Wedekind († 1998), artistic director 1985 – 1996Alfred Gärtner, artistic director 1997 – 2000Jochen Zoerner-Erb, artistic director 2001 – 2003Werner Traud, artistic director 2004 – 2007The artistic director appoints the children's theatre director.
Werner Traud (1991 – 2000, 2004 – 2006)Kai Wolters (2001–2003)Matthias Hay (2007)Gabriele Krieger (since 2008)The artistic director appoints the dance instructor especially for Balver Märchenwochen.
Monika Eickelmann (1991)Sigrid Kanthack-Leser (1998)Claudia Waltermann (1998)Anna Maczuga-Schwabe (until 2005)Anke Lux (until 2007)William Danne (2008)The artistic director appoints the musical director especially for Balver Märchenwochen.
Alexander Schwarze (1998 – 1999, only Musical)Walter Kiesbauer (until 2002)Walter Czakiel (until 2003)Philipp Schreiber (until 2007)Ralf Linke in cooperation with Berthold Wagner (since 2004)Robin Hood 1995Tu es Petrus 1997Aladdin und die Wunderlampe 1998Phantastische Reise zu Kapitän Nemo 1999Pippi in Taka-Tuka-Land 2001Peter Pan 2008Der Zauberer von OZ 2005Robin Hood 2006Peter Pan 20085th Irish Folk & Celtic Music 20066th Irish Folk & Celtic Music 2007Katharina von Georgien 1984Ronja Räubertocher 1993Robin Hood 1995Der Zauberer von OZ 2005
