Bayer Arts and Culture announces partnership with one of the world's best chamber orchestras and names a new member of the stARTacademy support program.

Leverkusen, March 12, 2026 – Bayer Arts and Culture will partner with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields (ASMF), one of the world's most renowned chamber orchestras, for its stARTacademy support program. Together with the orchestra, Bayer Arts will welcome Anja Mittermüller as a new member of the stARTacademy starting in 2027.

Mentoring and International Scouting

The partnership focuses on developing outstanding young musical talents. The artists of the stARTacademy will rehearse with the ASMF and perform together at a selected Bayer location in Germany. Additionally, the ASMF will actively support Bayer Arts and Culture in the international search and selection of future stARTacademy scholarship recipients.

With the ASMF, Bayer Arts gains a prestigious partner that supports young soloists at critical stages of their careers, including through the BBC New Generation Artist Program and close partnerships with leading music schools in London. The collaboration offers young artists a platform for growth and international visibility.

Annie Lydford, Managing Director ASMF:

"Talent development is at the core of our social mission. With the stARTacademy, we are expanding this work internationally – through mentoring, collaboration, and a shared learning culture."

Christoph Böhmke, Bayer Arts and Culture:

"We are very pleased to collaborate with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields as part of the stARTacademy. Their commitment to artistic excellence, collaboration, and the promotion of young talents makes them the ideal partner as we continue to support emerging artists and foster international creative exchange. It means a lot to us to begin this unique cooperation together with the exceptionally talented Anja Mittermüller."

Mittermüller rehearses with Gigashvili & Sant’Anna – Premiere in May 2027

Up-and-coming mezzo-soprano Anja Mittermüller will be the first to experience the unique approach of the new concept in intensive rehearsals with other renowned soloists of the stARTacademy – including pianist Giorgi Gigashvili and violinist Guido Sant‘Anna. The result will be showcased at the stARTfestival in May 2027.

Mittermüller is currently studying at the University of Music, Drama, and Media Hanover. She has already won prestigious awards, including the Wigmore Hall/Bollinger International Song Competition in 2024 as the youngest winner in the history of the competition. The Austrian mezzo-soprano also received the Emmerich Smola Förderpreis at the SWR Young Opera Stars competition in January 2026 and was named Young Artist 2026 by the International Classical Music Awards.

Artist Anja Mittermüller:

"I am very pleased to have been selected as a stARTacademy scholarship recipient by Bayer. This support means a lot to me, especially in terms of collaborating with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, an orchestra I have admired with great enthusiasm for a long time."

About the Academy of St Martin in the Fields
The Academy of St Martin in the Fields is one of the world's finest orchestras, known for fresh, brilliant interpretations of the greatest orchestral works. Founded in 1958 by Sir Neville Marriner, it has grown into an international musical powerhouse – celebrated for the freedom of its musicians and captivating, inspiring performances. Under Music Director and global star Joshua Bell, its playful approach engages every orchestra member. It creates audience proximity and collaborative concerts beyond traditional conductor structures. In addition to the concert hall, the ASMF demonstrates social commitment through music projects aimed at supporting people. The orchestra has long worked with homeless communities and promotes autonomy and creativity among young artists worldwide.

About Bayer Arts and Culture's stARTacademy
Founded in 2009, the stARTacademy is Bayer's talent development program to support exceptional young artists in music, dance, theater, film, and visual arts. The program stands for long-term artistic partnerships, career development, and interdisciplinary exchange. Unique is the personal, sustainable commitment to the career paths of the artists. The selected talents regularly perform at the nationwide stARTfestival and the Leverkusen Jazz Days – including alumni such as conductor Bar Avni, soprano Fatma Said, pianist Giorgi Gigashvili, tubist Joshua Williams, and violinist Guido Sant’Anna. New members alongside Anja Mittermüller (from 2027) include composer Josh Alexander.

More information:
kultur.bayer.de
startfestival.de
asmf.org

About Bayer
Bayer is a global company with core competencies in the life sciences fields of health and nutrition. True to its mission "Health for all, Hunger for none," the company aims to benefit people and protect the environment with its products and services – by addressing fundamental challenges of a steadily growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to making a significant contribution to sustainable development through its businesses. At the same time, the company aims to increase its profitability and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands worldwide for trust, reliability, and quality. In the 2025 fiscal year, the company achieved sales of 45.6 billion euros with around 88,000 employees. Research and development expenses amounted to 5.8 billion euros. Further information can be found online at www.bayer.com/en

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