“To awaken the ear, the eyes, and human thought” – the Salzburg Festival is opened
27
JUL
2011
by
FESTSPIELKIEBITZ
12:35 h;
published in: Opera, Drama, Concert, General
 |
| Helga Rabl-Stadler, Gabi Burgstaller, Heinz und Margit Fischer, Photo: Doris Wild |
Today at 11:00 am, the 2011 Salzburg Festival was opened with a festive ceremony at the newly renovated Felsenreitschule, hosted by the Government of the State of Salzburg. President Helga Rabl-Stadler welcomed the guests; this was followed by a welcome from Salzburg’s Landeshauptfrau Gabi Burgstaller and the opening speech by Federal President Heinz Fischer.
The entirely appropriate musical framework was provided by the Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg as well as prominent singers and soloists like Angela Denoke, Christiane Karg, Antoine Tamestit, Albrecht Mayer and Martin Grubinger. The winner of the previous year’s “Nestlé and Salzburg Festival Young Conductors Award”, David Afkham, conducted.
The State Government had invited Joachim Gauck to give the keynote address this year – you may download his speech here.