Theatre has been alive in the centre of Salzburg since the 18th century
Theatre has been alive just south of the Mirabell Palace Gardens in the centre of Salzburg since the 18th century. Even today, you can experience the diversity of theatre at this versatile location. The Salzburger Landestheatre (Salzburger Landestheater) places just as much importance on its large classical repertoire as modern and contemporary works. The building seats around 1,000 people and is also used by for performances during the Salzburg Festival in summer, as well as for opera performances.
Even the Mozart family were regular patrons
In 1775, Prince Archbishop Hieronymus Franz Josef von Colloredo-Mannsfeld commissioned an ‘Archbishop’s court theatre’ to replace the ballroom constructed in 1625. The building was ceremoniously unveiled with a performance of Christian Heinrich Schmid’s ‘Die Günst des Fürsten’ and was to hold Schiller’s dramas soon afterwards. The Mozart family were among the theatre’s patrons, and Mozart’s music has been played here often since 1776. In 1784, the opera ‘The Abduction from the Seraglio’ began the continuous upkeep of the theatre’s Mozart repertoire.
The theatre is run by Dr Carl Philip von Maldeghem
Under the directorship of Lutz Hochstraate from 1986 to 2004, the theatre went from a 3-genre theatre to a 4-genre theatre with the addition of youth theatre to the repertoire. After comprehensive renovations 2003/2004, Peter Dolder took over the directorship of the Salzburger Landestheatre (Salzburger Landestheater) from the 2004/2005 season. Since the 2009/2010 season, the theatre has been run by Dr Carl Philip von Maldeghem. He came up with a thoroughly modern repertoire and promoted a “Salzburg dramaturgy” with clear artistic lines. Alongside operettas and Italian operas, the musical theatre department also worked on their Mozart repertoire and expanded beyond European opera, Baroque and contemporary opera. The theatre places great importance on integrating children’s and youth theatre.
The Salzburger Landestheatre has its own acting, opera and dance ensemble and the Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg performs as the house orchestra.