About MahlerFest

A Festival Rooted in Passion, History, and Honor

Celebrating Gustav Mahler’s Legacy with Global Recognition and a Unique Colorado Spirit

Our Story

Since 1988, Colorado MahlerFest has been devoted to celebrating the music, life, and legacy of Gustav Mahler. Founded by conductor Robert Olson, MahlerFest began with a simple but powerful idea: to bring Mahler’s profound works to life in a dedicated festival setting. Over the years, it has grown into an internationally respected event, drawing artists, scholars, and audiences from around the world.

MahlerFest is one of the few organizations outside of Europe to receive a Gold Medal from the International Gustav Mahler Society—an honor shared by only a handful of prestigious institutions.

Each season, MahlerFest presents symphonic performances, chamber music, scholarly presentations, and immersive events that reflect the depth, complexity, and emotional power of Mahler’s music.


Our Accolades

MahlerFest’s commitment to authenticity and artistry has earned it some of the highest accolades in the classical music world:

  • Gold Medal Recipient from the International Gustav Mahler Society, honoring exceptional dedication to Mahler’s works.
  • Endorsed by Breitkopf & Härtel for excellence in performance and scholarship.
  • Recognized by the Colorado Senate and the Boulder City Council.

These honors place MahlerFest among an elite group of institutions worldwide, reaffirming its role as a beacon for Mahler enthusiasts and classical music lovers alike.


The Story of Mount Mahler

Mahler’s influence on MahlerFest extends beyond music into the very geography of Colorado. In 2006, after a long struggle with the US Board on Geographic Names, a group of climbers led by festival supporter Christ Mohr, named a previously unnamed peak in Colorado’s Never Summer Mountains “Mount Mahler.”

With an elevation of 12,497 feet, Mount Mahler stands as a tribute to the soaring ambition and profound beauty of Mahler’s music. It symbolizes the festival’s deep connection to the Colorado landscape and the enduring inspiration that Mahler’s work provides to all who experience it.

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