Lisa Batiashvili to head Audi Summer Concerts in Germany

Georgia’s award-winning violinist Lisa Batiashvili will head the high-profile Audi Summer Concerts series in Germany as artistic director of the event starting in 2019.

Batiashvili will develop the "concept and planning” for the classical music festival and perform in shows herself, for an initial period of two years.

Her appointment for the position was revealed by the carmaker-organised event on Tuesday, along with confirming concerts by violinist Pekka Kuusisto for this year’s edition.

Changes at the #Audi summer concerts: Violinist @lisabatiashvili will take over the artistic lead from 2019. Which famous violinist has been announced for this year's concert series: https://t.co/NV2II9LTNVpic.twitter.com/vEa8gKYapd

— AUDI AG (@Audi_Press) January 30, 2018

[W]e are very proud to enter into two strong alliances with outstanding artists”, said Melanie Goldmann, Audi’s Head of Culture and Trends Communications in comments about the unveiling.

Established in 1990, the festival hosts internationally renowned artists in performances for the audience in the city of Ingolstadt.

Organisers say the event has "attracted over a quarter of a million music fans” since its launch.

This year’s festival will see Kuusisto play in a roster also involving "numerous other international world stars” in the city from July 13–28.

Batiashvili, a recipient of two ECHO Klassik awards among other prizes, launched her performances in the new year with a Paris concert featuring music by celebrated composer Jean Sibelius last month.

The German-based Georgian artist received international acclaim throughout 2017 for live performances and recordings.

These included being nominated for the 2017 Artist of the Year award by a leading classical music review magazine Gramophone.