Although the Land of Salzburg is actually one of the smallest states in Austria, every summer it seems to swell to accommodate all the lovers of music, gastronomy, tourism and culture that the Salzburg Festival attracts. And even if a third of this Land is marvellously invaded by nature, it is well worth discovering all villages that can be found along the road. Do not forget, above all, to visit the city of Salzburg, a must for all lovers of architecture, culture, music, history, gastronomy and photography.
The city of Mozart dresses up during the Salzburg Festival every July and August to welcome more than 250,000 visitors who for 41 days enjoy more than 190 shows including operas, concerts, recitals, plays and also operas for children. The city is dotted with numerous stages, such as the "Großes Festspielhaus" – which is considered one of the largest in the world -, "Haus für Mozart", "Felsenreitschule" or the "Mozarteum". During the festival, there is even an additional outdoor stage, the beautiful "JedermannBühne", located on the Domplatz.
There is no better way in the world to enjoy the magic and culture that Salzburg has to offer. This opinion is obviously shared by the festival’s attendees, as more than 80% of the visitors come back each year and are happy to share their passion for this festival with the music lovers visiting for the first time.
In the program designed for 2020, the management of the Salzburg Festival wanted to kindle the interest and curiosity in myths from antiquity. It is a program made up of impressive works that answer questions about the human existence, addressing themes of war, flight, sacrifice, revenge, guilt or atonement. An opera that certifies these themes is the opening premiere "Idomeneo" by W. A. Mozart, conducted by Teodor Currentzis. The new production of Mozart's work will bring the forceful return of tenor Russell Thomas and the exceptional musicAeterna choir. Mozart uses Idomeneo to question the very foundations of patriarchy with its protagonist being torn between duty to the gods and love for his family.
By contrast, the character of "Œdipe", played by Christopher Maltman, becomes guilty without fault. For his “Œdipe”, the creator George Enescu conceived an extraordinary musical cosmos which was hardly considered avant-garde in its time, the mid-1920s. However, taking into account also the powerful vocal inventions, the work was already back then in fact truly innovative.
The topics of family conflicts and political disputes also arise in the plot of Giuseppe Verdi´s opera "Simon Boccanegra", conducted by Valery Gergiev. As highlighted, mythology is one of the main themes this season, and Medea was one of the key figures. Two different perspectives of her story will be presented at the Salzburg Festival 2019. Enrique Mazzola will conduct "Orphée aux enfers", an opéra-bouffon written by Jacques Offenbach where he wanted to create a parody and a social satire. On the other hand, Luigi Cherubini's opera "Médée" explains Euipides' tragedy driven by disappointed love and bloody revenge.
This season will also have numerous references to the desire for power, violence, eroticism and obsessions – as it is the case in Richard Strauss´s "Salome", conducted by Franz Welser-Möst and accompanied by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Salome, the famous heroine of Strauss, will once again be fabulously portrayed by Asmik Grigorian.
The operatic program is completed by "Adriana Lecouvreur" by Francesco Cilea and enriched by the wonderful presence of Anna Netrebko, as well as "Luisa Miller" by Georges Bizet, complemented by Plácido Domingo´s powerful presence.
The theatrical program comprises the always highly acclaimed "Jedermann" by Hugo von Hofmannsthal as well as "Die Empörten" by Theresia Walser. It is also worth highlighting the Wiener Philharmoniker concerts conducted by Herbert Blomstedt, Franz Welser-Möst, Riccardo Muti, Daniel Barenboim and Bernard Haiting. Due to her enormous talent, it is important to mention also the presence of the violinist Anne Sophie Mutter at this festival. Daniel Barenboim will conduct the West Eastern Divan Orchestra, which will perform works of Jean Sibelius and Ludwig van Beethoven, together with Mutter.
Other awaited concerts of the festival are the solo concerts or Solistenkonzerte. This 2019 will be delighted with the talent of Grigory Sokolov, Evgeny Kissin and Igor Levit among many others.
It is well known that next to the Bayreuth Festival, the Salzburg Festival is one of the most visited during the summer. It is because of that fact that finding tickets for those performances can sometimes be an impossible mission. If you want to enjoy the magical city of Salzburg, its landscapes and its music, its history and its festival, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will provide you with a non-binding offer.
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