Mosaic Salzburg Easter Festival
- SALZBURG, Austria – The Salzburg easter Festival, a prestigious event founded in 1967 by Herbert von Karajan, is set to return in 2025 wiht a diverse program under...
- Bahler, who assumed the role of artistic director in 2023, has expanded the festival's scope to include contemporary dance and electronic music.
- From its inception until 2012, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra was a central fixture of the Easter Festival.
Salzburg Easter festival 2025: A Season of ‘Wounds and miracles’
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SALZBURG, Austria – The Salzburg easter Festival, a prestigious event founded in 1967 by Herbert von Karajan, is set to return in 2025 wiht a diverse program under the artistic direction of Nicholas bahler. The festival, running from the saturday before Palm Sunday to the Second Easter, will feature opera, symphonic, choral, and chamber music performances.
Bahler, who assumed the role of artistic director in 2023, has expanded the festival’s scope to include contemporary dance and electronic music. The Salzburg Easter Festival is distinct from the Salzburg Festival, which takes place each summer.
Berlin Philharmonic Returns in 2026
From its inception until 2012, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra was a central fixture of the Easter Festival. Conductors such as George Solti, Claudio Abbado, and Simon Rattle led the orchestra in Salzburg after Karajan’s tenure. However, in 2013, the Berlin Philharmonic relocated to the Easter Festival in Baden-Baden.
In 2026, the Berlin Philharmonic, under the direction of its current musical leader, Kirill Petrenko, will once again become the permanent resident orchestra of the Salzburg Easter Festival, marking the end of their engagement in Baden-Baden after the 2025 festival.
Christian thielemann served as the artistic director from 2013 to 2022, with the Staatskapelle Dresden performing opera and symphonic works during those years.
A New Concept: Guest Orchestras
As becoming the festival’s intendant in 2023, Nikolaus Bahler has introduced a new concept, inviting a different symphony orchestra to Salzburg each year. In 2023, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, led by Andris Nelsons, performed works by Richard wagner. In 2024, the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia from Rome, under Antonio Pappano, focused on Mediterranean and Italian themes.
‘Wounds and Miracles’: The 2025 Theme
The 2025 festival program features three orchestras and four conductors, centered around the theme of “Wounds and Miracles.”
“given the current situation in the world, we do not want to work as usual. The program is all about wounds that are felled to our society and the world – be it in Ukraine, Israel, populist-led countries in Europe or elsewhere in the world. But we do not want to ignore miracles and miracles,”
– Nicholas Bahler, Salzburg Easter Festival
Bahler elaborated on the theme, stating, “we live in the age of injury. We are just able to stop to think about how and why we create wounds for ourselves. It truly seems that time cannot heal them. Is there realy no way out of this situation? Is our only option stagnation, standing on the ground and fortification against everything that happens?”
He referenced joseph Beuys’s artwork, “Show yoru wounds!” as a call for sensitivity and recognition, lamenting that it has instead become a competition of who can be hurt the deepest. Bahler calls for a shift from dwelling on wounds to cultivating miracles and acknowledging the potential for healing and redemption.
Featured Opera: ‘Khovanshchina’
The centerpiece of this year’s festival is Modest Mussorgsky‘s opera “Khovanshchina,” a folk drama that explores Russian politics,church,and society in the late 19th century. The new production, directed by Simon McBurney and conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, will feature the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra.
McBurney emphasizes that his production will not be a past reconstruction but a reflection of contemporary issues, calling “Khovanshchina” an “alarmingly beautiful and sometimes scary opera.” Salonen added that the opera’s libretto could easily describe current events with a few name changes.
The New York Metropolitan opera co-produced the new production of “Khovanshchina,” which will be performed on April 12 and 21 with an international cast of soloists.
Orchestral Performances
The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra,under Esa-Pekka Salonen,will perform two concerts,including Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 “resurrection” on April 13 and 20. On April 14,they will perform Jean Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2 and Salonen’s Cello Concerto, with Senja Rummukainen as soloist.
The Mahler Chamber Orchestra will also perform, with Maxim Emelyanychev conducting Felix Mendelssohn’s “Elijah” on April 18 and Gianandrea Noseda conducting Edvard Grieg’s “Peer Gynt” Suite, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto (with soloist Augustin Hadelich), and Shostakovich’s Symphony No.9 on April 19.
On April 15, conductor Tabita Berglund will lead a concert at the Salzburg Mozarteum, featuring soprano Sondra Radvanovsky, tenor Sokjong Baek, and baritone Simon Keenlyside, performing excerpts from operas by Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, Giordano, and Verdi.
Additional performances
The festival will also include a performance titled “Late evening Tango” on April 14, featuring musicians from the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, soprano Helena Juntunen, accordionist Niko Kumpuvaara, and guitarist/pianist marzi Nyman. An evening of experimental music on April 17 will blend electronic sounds with Mussorgsky, featuring musician Alma, house pioneers milk & Sugar, Persian music collective Pourwandad, and Persian singer Sogol Livani.
Contemporary Dance: ‘Requiem’
The contemporary dance component of the festival will feature Angelin Preljocaj’s “Ballet Preljocaj” performing “Requiem,” a show created in 2023.
Preljocaj explains that the piece explores the emotions surrounding loss and remembrance, drawing inspiration from sociologist Émile Durkheim’s work on commemorative rituals. The performance features a diverse musical texture, including works by Bach, Mozart, Messiaen, Ligeti, Hasa, Guðnadóttir, Jóhannsson, system of a Down, and medieval chants.
More details is available at osterfestspiele.at.
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Salzburg Easter Festival 2025: Your Complete Guide to “Wounds and Miracles”
Welcome to the world of the Salzburg Easter Festival 2025! This year promises a deeply moving experience, exploring the duality of human suffering and hope through remarkable performances. Let’s dive into what makes this festival so special.
Q: What is the Salzburg Easter Festival?
A: The Salzburg Easter Festival is a world-renowned classical music and performing arts festival held annually in Salzburg, Austria. Founded in 1967 by Herbert von karajan, it has a rich history of bringing together leading orchestras, conductors, soloists, and dancers to create unforgettable artistic experiences. It is distinct from the Salzburg Festival, which occurs during the summer.
Q: When and where does the Salzburg easter Festival take place?
A: The 2025 Salzburg Easter Festival will run from the Saturday before Palm Sunday to the Second Easter. It takes place in various venues throughout Salzburg, Austria.
Q: Who is the artistic director of the 2025 festival?
A: Nicholas Bahler is the current artistic director, having taken on the role in 2023. Under his direction, the festival has expanded its scope to include contemporary dance and electronic music, alongside its core classical music programming. Expect exciting new perspectives!
Q: What is the central theme of the 2025 festival?
A: The theme for 2025 is “Wounds and Miracles.” This theme reflects on the suffering in the world, while simultaneously highlighting the potential for healing, hope, and redemption.
Q: Why was the theme “Wounds and Miracles” Chosen?
A: Nicholas Bahler states that the festival addresses current world events as there are many current wounds. He says that the festival does not want to ignore the miracles around the world, either. Bahler believes we live in an age of injury, and it’s essential to ponder how we contribute and if there is real solace or is it only stagnation?
Q: What can audiences expect from the 2025 program, and what are some of the main events?
A: The 2025 festival program is packed with incredible performances. Here’s a highlight reel:
Opera: The centerpiece is Modest Mussorgsky’s opera “Khovanshchina,” directed by Simon McBurney, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, and featuring the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra. This production is co-produced by the New York Metropolitan Opera and will explore contemporary issues.
Orchestral Performances:
The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra will perform two concerts, including Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection.” (April 13th and 20th).
The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra also performs Jean Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2 and Salonen’s Cello Concerto.
The Mahler Chamber Orchestra will perform Felix Mendelssohn’s “Elijah”.
Gianandrea Noseda will conduct Edvard Grieg’s “Peer Gynt” Suite, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, and Shostakovich’s Symphony No.9.
A concert at the salzburg Mozarteum (April 15th) will feature excerpts from operas by Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, Giordano, and Verdi with world-renowned soloists.
Contemporary Dance: Angelin Preljocaj’s “Ballet Preljocaj” presents “Requiem,” a dance performance exploring themes of loss, remembrance, and commemorative rituals.
Additional Performances: A “Late evening Tango” performance (April 14th), and an evening of experimental music (april 17th) that blends electronic sounds with Mussorgsky.
Q: Who is performing in the “Khovanshchina” opera?
A: The Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra will accompany an international cast of soloists, under the direction of Esa-Pekka Salonen.
Q: Which orchestra will be the permanent resident orchestra again in 2026?
A: The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Kirill Petrenko, will once again become the permanent resident orchestra of the Salzburg Easter Festival in 2026, after being in Baden-Baden for the 2025 Festival.
Q: How has the festival evolved under Nicholas Bahler’s artistic direction?
A: Bahler has brought a new concept of inviting guest orchestras each year, broadening the festival’s scope. He’s also consciously embracing contemporary art forms like experimental music and expanding the festival’s theme of “Wounds and Miracles.”
Q: Where can I find more data and purchase tickets?
A: For detailed program information, ticket sales, and updates, visit the official festival website: https://osterfestspiele.at/.
Q: Has the Berlin Philharmonic played in The Salzburg Easter Festival before?
A: Yes,From its inception until 2012,the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra was a central fixture of the Easter Festival. Conductors such as George Solti, Claudio Abbado, and Simon Rattle led the orchestra in Salzburg after Karajan’s tenure.
Q: What is the “Requiem” dance performance about?
A: Angelin Preljocaj’s “Requiem” delves into the emotions of loss and remembrance, drawing inspiration from the theories of sociologist Émile Durkheim. The performance uses a diverse selection of music, creating a deeply moving experience.
Q: Why should I attend the Salzburg Easter Festival 2025?
A: The Salzburg Easter Festival is a unique chance to experience world-class performances by leading artists in a gorgeous setting. The 2025 festival promises a notably thought-provoking and emotionally resonant experience, exploring the complexities of the human condition through the universal language of music and dance. It’s a chance to be inspired and moved by artistry at its finest.
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