The Bavarian Classics, founded in 1990 and based in Baldham near Munich, are a classical symphony orchestra comprising about 50 amateur musicians from various professions and age groups. Professional musicians are also involved as conductors and soloists in important orchestral positions.The orchestra members come not only from different regions of Germany, such as Munich, Stuttgart, Dresden, Frankfurt and Lübeck, but also from other European Countries such as Switzerland and Austria.For more than 30 years, the orchestra has been taking part in concert tours and using the opportunity to explore new cities as tourists. When this happens, an intensive week of rehearsals is followed by one or two concerts in special places. Previous events have taken place in Austria, Italy, France, Majorca, Greece, Turkey and even in China.The programs focus on both large orchestral works and selected chamber music works from the classical and romantic periods. The orchestra was led from 1990 to 2011 by Hans Walter Kämpfel, former general music director in Aachen and Bremen. Since summer 2011, rehearsal periods and concerts have taken place under different conductors.Since 2017, the orchestra now plays under the artistic direction of Peter Schmelzer. Originating from a circle of friends of enthusiastic musicians, the orchestra has developed into a large ensemble with the goal of performing to an interested public audience with charity concerts. The musicians have played in South Tyrol on three prior occasions as guests and have given successful concerts in Brixen, Sterzing and in Algund near Meran. They are particularly pleased to be able to play here in Bolzano and honored to be able to officially open the World Congress on Mummy Studies.