Attend Salzburg Festival, Austria

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Held in the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, The Salzburg Festival is a celebration of music and drama emphasizing the works of Mozart with operas, baroque orchestral performances, symphonies and concerts by celebrated singers. The festival is so closely aligned with the works of Salzburg’s native son that it is sometimes referred to as the “Mozart Festival” but the works of a wide variety other famous composers along with those of up and comers are also the focus of the festival. The Salzburg Festival takes place annually beginning at the end of July and continuing through most of the month of August when Salzburg becomes the “Stage of the World”. Traditional performances of “Everyman” (Jedermann), the medieval mortality play, are regularly staged during the festival at the iconic 17thcentury square fronting the famous Salzburg Cathedral, incorporating its façade into the play. Many of the musical performances are held in the Great Festival Hall Opera House along with other famous concert halls in Salzburg. Arturo Toscanini and Bruno Walter were the leading conductors for the festivals in the 1930’s. The 1936 presentation featured the Trapp Family Singers whose story is the basis for the time-honored musical production and film, “The Sound of Music”. The festival lost much of its momentum when the Nazi’s occupied Austria but began its current run of popularity in 1945 after the Allied forces victory in Europe. The Salzburg Whitsun Festival, staging operatic performances at alternative venues in Salzburg operates simultaneously with the Salzburg Festival, providing still more options for visitors to experience the timeless music and stories. Since 1967 the annual Salzburg Easter Festival is presented providing an alternative time of the year to enjoy the music and drama that is at the very core of the city. Your dream trip to Mozart’s birthplace, Salzburg, Austria, may not be complete without making sure you include performances that are part of the annual Salzburg Festival. Add this visit to include performances in the famous town center to your list and start investigating the operas and orchestral presentations that will make this trip truly a trip of a lifetime.

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