Salzburg, the capital city of Austria’s western state of Salzburg – and birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – revels in the warm weather by hosting the annual Salzburg Summer Festival. 2011 marks its 91st consecutive year of celebrations.
Running five weeks starting in late July, The Salzburg Summer Festival stages a total of 213 musical presentations, including operas, concerts and dramas.
This year’s event also boasts five concerts performed by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra – and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Venezuela’s Simon Bolivar Orchestra will give musical presentations and concerts of their own.
While the opening festivities on Wednesday were light in mood, Austrian President Heinz Fischer’s shared a somber but stoic sentiment in his speech to festival-goers, remarking that all European countries should unite to jointly face the challenges posed by the economic crisis and the threat of terrorism.
German Protestant theologian, journalist and politician Joachim Gauck also spoke at the ceremony and condemned recent terrorist attacks. He also added that art should play a role in encouraging people to overcome difficulties.
Tickets providing access for all the events of the summer festival cost $535.