When does the event take place?

The reading is scheduled for 26.06.2026 at 20:00.

Where does the evening take place?

The venue is Capella Hospitalis at Teutoburger Straße 50 in 33604 Bielefeld.

Do I need to register in advance?

According to the website of Capella Hospitalis, there is currently no need for registration or reservation.

Are there hints on parking and arrival?

The arrival is well possible via Klinikum Bielefeld Mitte; parking garages and paid parking spaces are available nearby.

Is the event a classical reading?

It is a musical reading that connects songs by Nick Cave with recited Rilke poems.

Is the admission free?

A reliable ticket price was not clearly indicated in the available sources.

Rilke and Nick Cave meet in Bielefeld's quiet Capella Hospitalis

Name: Stefan Kallmer & Michael Helm: Rilke & Cave – Songs & Lyrics in Bielefeld
Start: 2026-06-26T22:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-06-27T00:00:00+02:00
Location: Capella Hospitalis

When Rilke meets Nick Cave: an evening between voice, sound, and poetry

This musical reading connects two literary-musical worlds that, at first glance, seem far apart, yet in their inner tension, are surprisingly close together. In the Capella Hospitalis, on June 26, 2026, the songs of Nick Cave and the poems of Rainer Maria Rilke come together for a concentrated literary experience with an intense reading atmosphere.

A dialogue across a century

Stefan Kallmer carries the songs of Nick Cave into the space with singing and piano, while Michael Helm recites selected Rilke texts. From this constellation arises not just a juxtaposition but an author encounter on a spiritual level: song poetry and lyric respond to each other, condense, open resonance spaces, and show how close great language and great music are to each other.

The special power of the musical reading

For those who want not just to read literature but to hear and experience it physically, this format offers a rare immediacy. The linguistic artistry of Rilke meets the dark, imagery-rich intensity of Nick Cave. Precisely this is the charm of this reading: it unfolds literary quality not in an archive but in the moment of performance, in the presence of voice, piano, and recitation.

Capella Hospitalis as an atmospheric backdrop

The Capella Hospitalis at the Klinikum Bielefeld Mitte possesses a quiet dignity as a historical, listed site that lends this evening a special depth. The intimate atmosphere of the house supports the concentration on language and sound. For visitors, this creates a literary experience that is both contemplative and compelling.

What distinguishes this evening

The event promises no loud staging but rather a finely balanced evening for all who appreciate poetry, music, and cultural discourse. Between poetic concentration and musical interpretation, a form of encounter arises that makes the essence of great literature immediately experiential. That is what makes this reading in Bielefeld a special date in the cultural calendar.

Conclusion: An evening for listeners with a sense of language

Rilke & Cave in the Capella Hospitalis is an evening for people who seek not just content in literature but also attitude, rhythm, and sound. Anyone who wants to experience the connection of lyric, songwriting, and live presence should attend this musical reading live.