Gewand­haus­orchester and DHL

Start of collaboration

The Gewandhausorchester selected DHL as their logistics supplier in 2005, marking the start of a long-term partnership supporting the orchestra’s international touring logistics.

DHL took over the planning and execution of complex tour logistics, including the transport of valuable instruments, customs clearance, and time-critical deliveries to concert venues worldwide.

This established a highly reliable, secure, and precisely coordinated logistics solution, enabling international concert tours across continents with a level of complexity, timing, and operational consistency that would otherwise be difficult to achieve.

Official Logistics Partnership

In 2009, the existing collaboration between the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig and DHL was expanded. DHL became the Official Logistics Partner and continued to support the international tour logistics in planning, execution, and the transport of sensitive instruments on worldwide tours. The partnership underlines DHL’s positioning in the field of complex global logistics through an internationally visible cultural project.

  DHL Freight Connections on its logistics partnership with the Gewandhausorchester

  China Daily on the Gewandhausorchester's 2026 China Tour and DHL's instrument transport

Concert at the Vatican

On 20 April 2012, the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig performed a special concert at the Vatican in the Paul VI Audience Hall to mark the 85th birthday of Pope Benedict XVI. Under the direction of Riccardo Chailly, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy’s Symphony No. 2 “Lobgesang” was performed. The Pope attended the concert and later expressed his gratitude to the orchestra for the performance and its musical tradition. The international tour logistics, including the transport of instruments and the operational execution of the journey, were carried out by DHL as part of the existing logistics partnership, ensuring a smooth realization of the event.

  Address by Pope Benedict XVI at the Gewandhausorchester concert at the Vatican in 2012

  Logistik Express on DHL accompanying the Gewandhausorchester to its 2012 Vatican concert

  News Eco on DHL's logistics for the Gewandhausorchester's 2012 Vatican concert

  Concerti Lounge: Feature on orchestra-tour logistics, using the Gewandhausorchester as an example

Bringing Joy to the People: Open Air Concerts During COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when concert halls were closed and many vulnerable people faced prolonged isolation, members of Leipzig’s renowned Gewandhausorchester launched a series of free pop-up concerts at senior living facilities, hospitals, hospices and other healthcare institutions across the city. Supported by DHL’s logistics expertise and local volunteer teams, the musicians transformed courtyards and outdoor spaces into temporary concert venues, bringing live classical music directly to people who were unable to attend cultural events due to illness, age or lockdown restrictions.

Over the course of two days in April 2020, performances were held at locations including St. Elisabeth Hospital, the Bärenherz Children’s Hospice, Hospice Advena and a senior care home in Leipzig-Volkmarsdorf. Residents, patients and healthcare workers listened from windows, balconies and building entrances while maintaining social distancing measures. The initiative was designed not only to provide moments of comfort, hope and joy during a challenging period, but also to express gratitude to the doctors, nurses and caregivers who worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic.

The concerts highlighted the long-standing partnership between DHL and the Gewandhausorchester. As the orchestra’s logistics supplier since 2009, DHL supports the transportation of instruments, stage equipment and concert materials for international tours around the world. During the pandemic, this partnership evolved beyond logistics, enabling cultural outreach projects that connected music with communities in need. The success of the initiative later inspired further pop-up concert formats across Leipzig, reaching thousands of people and demonstrating how culture, community engagement and logistics can work together to create meaningful social impact.

  DHL InMotion on the Gewandhausorchester and DHL's "Everyday Heroes" COVID-19 initiative

  Gewandhausorchester YouTube video on its COVID-19 initiative with DHL, bringing music to care facilities and hospitals

  DHL.com on Hub Leipzig's "We deliver music" COVID-19 initiative with the Gewandhausorchester

Ten Pop-Up Concerts in Leipzig

In September 2021, DHL and the Leipzig Gewandhausorchester transformed a DHL show truck into a mobile concert stage, bringing classical music directly to local communities. Over the course of three days, the brass ensemble “Leipzig Brass” toured Leipzig and the surrounding region, making stops at ten different locations, including public squares, parks, lakeside areas, and social institutions.

Building on the success of a series of concerts performed at retirement homes, hospitals, and refugee centers in 2020, the initiative evolved into a larger community outreach project. Its aim was to take classical music beyond the traditional concert hall and bring it to people where they live, work, and spend their leisure time.

The DHL show truck played a central role in the project. Within minutes, the vehicle could be transformed from a logistics asset into a fully equipped open-air stage. DHL employees supported the set-up and dismantling of the venue, transported instruments and equipment, and ensured that the musicians arrived on schedule at each location. This unique combination of logistical expertise and musical excellence made it possible to deliver ten performances at ten different venues within just three days.

Audience reactions demonstrated the impact of the initiative. Children and adults gathered spontaneously at the performance sites, while some visitors even followed the concert truck to its next stop to enjoy another performance. The pop-up concerts created unexpected encounters with classical music and brought together people of different ages, backgrounds, and communities.

The project highlighted the long-standing partnership between DHL and the Gewandhausorchester. Since 2009, DHL has supported the orchestra as its official logistics partner, managing the transportation of instruments, stage equipment, and materials for international tours. Through the pop-up concert series, the partnership expanded beyond logistics, leveraging the power of music to create meaningful cultural experiences, strengthen community connections, and inspire people across the region.

  DHL InMotion on the Gewandhausorchester's pop-up concerts on the mobile DHL stage

  DHL YouTube video: The Gewandhausorchester and DHL deliver ten "Pop-Up" concerts

  DHL.com on the musical road trip with the Gewandhausorchester on the mobile DHL stage

Pop-Up Concerts on Leipzig’s Waterways

In September 2022, DHL and the Leipzig Gewandhausorchester brought their pop-up concert series to Leipzig’s waterways for the first time. A DHL boat delivered live classical music directly to local communities, transforming the city’s canals and rivers into an unusual and accessible concert setting.

Over two days, eight horn players from the Gewandhausorchester performed at eight locations along the waterways, presenting a diverse programme of works from different musical periods and European traditions. The initiative built on previous pop-up concert formats and once again demonstrated how classical music can reach people beyond traditional concert venues.

The project combined the musical expertise of the Gewandhausorchester with DHL’s logistics capabilities. A DHL boat served both as transport and as a mobile performance platform, enabling the musicians to travel efficiently between multiple stops and perform live concerts directly along the waterways.

The concept made use of Leipzig’s identity as a city shaped by water, with its canals, rivers, and waterfront areas serving as everyday recreational spaces for residents and visitors. DHL coordinated the logistics of the tour, ensuring the smooth transport of musicians, instruments, and equipment between all locations.

The pop-up concerts made classical music accessible to a wide audience and created spontaneous cultural encounters in public spaces. Residents, families, and passers-by were able to experience live performances free of charge and without barriers.

The strong audience response highlighted the ability of music to bring people together and create shared moments in everyday environments. For DHL, the initiative also demonstrated how logistics can enable cultural experiences, strengthening the company’s role as a connector between people and communities. At the same time, it reinforced the long-standing partnership with the Gewandhausorchester and its shared commitment to cultural access and social engagement.

  DHL InMotion on the Gewandhausorchester's "Full steam ahead for classical music!" pop-up boat concerts

  DHL YouTube video: DHL x Gewandhausorchester: Music ahoy!

  DHL.com on the Gewandhausorchester's boat concerts: "Music, sunshine and a great atmosphere"

  Leipzig Info on DHL and Gewandhausorchester pop-up concerts on the water

Return to International Concert Tours after the COVID-19 Pandemic

In 2022, the Leipzig Gewandhausorchester resumed its international concert tours following the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, performing in several European countries including Great Britain, Austria, France, and Hungary, as well as additional engagements in Germany.

As part of their long-standing partnership, DHL supported the tour in a logistical capacity, ensuring the reliable transport of musical instruments and the orchestra’s travel equipment. This helped enable the smooth execution of the international concert schedule as the orchestra returned to performing for live audiences across various European cultural venues.

The resumption of international touring marked a return to regular concert activity following the pandemic-related interruption and reinforced the ensemble’s cultural exchange with audiences across Europe.

  Gewandhausorchester on its 2022 festival tour with Andris Nelsons

  Leipzig Info on the Gewandhausorchester's 2022 Richard Strauss tour with Andris Nelsons

Christmas Sing-Along in the Red Bull Arena Leipzig

In December 2024, the choirs of the Leipzig Gewandhausorchester, RB Leipzig players, and DHL came together at the Red Bull Arena Leipzig to host a large-scale Christmas Sing-Along with around 31,000 fans. Led by the Gewandhaus choirs and hosted by RB Leipzig’s stadium announcer, the entire stadium joined in singing well-known Christmas carols such as Jingle Bells and Silent Night.

DHL supported the event in an organizational capacity and was also present on-site with its own booth and activation area within the stadium.

With DHL’s support, a complex live format involving multiple stakeholders could be implemented smoothly, enabling a large-scale shared experience for tens of thousands of people. The combination of music, sport, and audience participation was made possible through the coordinated execution of several partners.

For attendees, the event created a collective experience in which an entire stadium sang together, fostering a strong emotional connection between participants, performers, and players. The format demonstrated how large-scale events can be transformed into accessible and inclusive community experiences through reliable implementation partners.

  DHL InMotion on the Christmas sing-along with the Gewandhausorchester at Leipzig's Red Bull Arena

  Gewandhausorchester tour blog with all tour reports