Mahler Ambassadors

The Mahler Ambassadors 2026, is what we call a Mahler Deep Dive – an immersive residency in Dobbiaco/Toblach, where Mahler composed his Ninth Symphony and where the Mahler Academy Orchestra is rehearsing Mahlers 9th Symphony.

During this residency, the ambassadors engage in a series of listening sessions led by musicologist Matthieu Stepec. Together, they explore the symphony movement by movement, discussing its structure, themes, meanings and emotional landscapes. Rather than providing definitive answers, these sessions encourage questions, personal interpretations and dialogue.

Additional conversations with conductor Philipp von Steinaecker, members of the Gustav Mahler Academy Orchestra and invited guests provide further perspectives on Mahler’s artistic intentions, the cultural and intellectual climate of his time and the broader philosophical questions that resonate throughout the symphony. Walking through the landscapes around Toblach, where Mahler himself spent his summers and composed the Ninth Symphony, the ambassadors continue these discussions and reflect on how the themes of the work connect to their own lives and to contemporary society.

Throughout the residency, the ambassadors document their journey through social media. Supported by Rik Willebroords, Press & Digital Marketing Manager of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, they are encouraged to develop their own style of storytelling and content creation. Through social media takeovers, they bring audiences behind the scenes and invite followers of the participating venues to experience the Mahler Deep Dive through their eyes.

The Mahler Ambassador Programme is a close collaboration between the Gustav Mahler Academy and its partner venues across Europe. Its central goal is not only to provide knowledge, but to empower young people to develop their own perspective on classical music, find their own voice and share their experiences with others.

The first complete performance of Mahler’s Ninth Symphony is experienced by the ambassadors from within the orchestra itself, during the concert at Teatro alla Scala in Milan. Listening to the work in its entirety after days of intensive preparation creates a powerful and deeply personal concert experience.

When the orchestra later visits the ambassadors’ home cities, the ambassadors take on an active role themselves. Throuout their stay in Toblach they created their own concert introductions, sharing the insights, questions and discoveries that have shaped their journey. Rather than repeating established programme notes, they offer audiences a personal entry point into Mahler’s music and invite them to listen through fresh ears.

The Mahler Ambassador Programme is led by Valentina Katharina Georgoulopoulos and aims to create lasting connections between young audiences, cultural institutions and one of the most complex musical works ever written. By combining education, participation, creativity and personal storytelling, the programme seeks to demonstrate that Mahler’s music remains deeply relevant in the 21st century.