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Mozart and the Salzburg Festival
A Day in Salzburg
Mozart and the Salzburg Festival

Although Mozart spent much of his adult life in Vienna, his name is inextricably linked with his birthplace, Salzburg. Considered by many to be the world's greatest composer, Mozart's spiritual legacy to his native city is one of the world's greatest music festivals, the Salzburg Festival, and a year-round program of musical events.

Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in Salzburg in 1756, the son of a respected court musician, himself a fine violinist whose treatise on violin technique is still respected. The boy soon showed signs of genius, playing a variety of instruments by sight and ear and starting to compose at an early age. Mozart's father touted his talented son all around the European courts, keeping a stern eye on his behavior, spending and morals, and thus storing up trouble for the pair's future relationship.

Eventually, the small-town atmosphere of Salzburg, with its reliance on the bishops for employment, proved too stifling, and Mozart moved to Vienna, where he married Constanze. He composed prodigiously and was capable of writing scores as if by divine dictation, while chatting to his friends. Unfortunately, Mozart's genius did not extend to managing his finances; weighed down by money worries and stress, he died in 1791 and was buried in a pauper's grave.

The Salzburg Festival
The Salzburg Festival is held annually during the last week of July and most of August. Established in 1920 by Max Reinhardt, Richard Strauss and other Austrian musicians, this music festival attracts audiences and renowned performers from all over the world. Its main venues are the Festival Theaters complex, but performances are held in buildings all over the city. The program always includes Mozart operas and orchestral works, but many other composers are featured, as well as plays - in particular Everyman, which is traditionally performed outside in the Domplatz. If you want to attend the festival it is essential to book far ahead; reservations start in December, when you should also reserve your accommodations.

Salzburg Ticket Service

Address: Salzburg Information, Mozartplatz 5, A-5020 Salzburg, Austria
Phone: 0662 840 310; fax 0662 842 476; www.salzburgticket.com
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