Thielemann emphasized his positive memories of the Salzburg Easter Festival: “My Staatskapelle and I might not be experienced anywhere else outside of Dresden with such different programs in such a short time. What remains is not only the memory of numerous musical highlights, but also the encounters and friendships with the people of Salzburg, our loyal audience,” he scattered roses to the orchestra, artists and visitors as they parted.
This year, following a two-year break, the Easter Festival was able to take place once more at the usual Easter time. In 2020 they were completely canceled due to the pandemic, in the previous year there were short festivals around All Saints’ Day. With this year’s edition, Christian Thielemann also says goodbye to the artistic direction, which he has held since 2013.
The new artistic director Nikolaus Bachler has initiated a reorientation of the Easter Festival: from 2023, a different top orchestra will be guest every year with its chief conductor. Andris Nelsons will start with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. Next year’s program includes Richard Wagner’s “Tannhäuser”, in which Jonas Kaufmann will make his debut in the title role and Elīna Garanča will be heard as Venus for the first time. Also planned is the premiere of the dance piece “Träume” by the French-Israeli choreographer Emanuel Gat, inspired by Richard Wagner’s “Wesendonck-Lieder”.
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