Enjoying the Culture 175Salzburg. Performances take place throughout the city at the
Mozarteum (the musical academy), the Grosses Festspielhaus
(Large Festival Hall), the Landestheater and Mirabell Palace.
Tickets can be pricey and may be difficult to obtain (in general
well over 200,000 people attend). If you can’t make it, the
city has other less crowded festivals for you to enjoy. The
Haus für Mozart, formerly the Small Festival Hall, is another
musical venue.
Mozart Week is celebrated every January. The Easter
Festival has added to this beautiful holiday since 1967. In
June, the Pfingsten (Whitsun) Festival is devoted to Baroque
music and focuses on the works of Händel and Bach. Musical
events take place throughout the summer at Hellbrunn
Palace and Hohensalzburg Fortress and in several of the
city’s gardens and courtyards. Salzburg’s Cultural Days have
offered ballet, music and opera since 1972. During Advent
(the four weeks before Christmas), singing performances get
you into the Christmas spirit. Many flock to the small town
of Oberndorf, north of Salzburg, to hear Silent Night where
it was written and first performed. Finally, the Marionette
Theatre is a wonderful way to interest children in opera. Bad
Ischl in the Salzkammergut, not far from Salzburg, hosts the
Operetta Festival every July and August.
Linz
Linz, just two hours west of Vienna, was home to Anton
Bruckner. He was organist at the Linz Cathedral for 14 years
and his presence can still be felt in the city. A modern concert
hall built on the banks of the Danube was named Brucknerhaus
in his honour. Every fall, Linz celebrates Brucknerfest, which
highlights many of Bruckner’s hymnal symphonies, as well
as those of other great composers. Performances throughout
the regular season range from classical to folk, jazz and
world music, and there is also a programme for children. The
Bruckner Orchestra plays at the Landestheater.