What better place to celebrate the gift of music than the city where Mozart himself was born? Salzburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its intricate Baroque architecture, is perhaps the music capital of the world. Aside from being the hometown of one of the greatest composers in history, it’s also where the The Sound of Music is set. Tourists from all over the world flock to this Austrian city just to recreate Julie Andrews’ scenes from the iconic musical film. Salzburg takes great pride in its rich musical history, as it should. It holds multiple music festivals throughout the year, beginning with the Mozart Festival in January. The most prominent event of the year is the Salzburg Festival, a summer affair featuring music, drama, and dance. For five weeks, beginning in late July, the entire city brims with color, light and song. International superstars gather here annually to perform on ‘the stage of the world.’

The Salzburg Festival was the product of one vision shared between Max Reinhardt, Hugo von Hofmannsthal and Richard Strauss: “The entire city is a stage.” Over the course of a century, the music festival has achieved precisely that. Through the festival, the city of Salzburg has transformed into an international cultural hub. It brings a whole new meaning to the classic Shakespearean phrase, “All the world’s a stage.” Music of different genres and cultures somehow manage to find their way to Salzburg eventually.

One of the Salzburg Festival’s most anticipated events is the theatrical performance of Jedermann (Everyman), a play by festival founder Hugo von Hofmannsthal. For many theatre enthusiasts, seeing Jedermann at least once in their lifetime is a must. The open-air play is performed right at the heart of the city in Cathedral Square. Every show promises mesmerizing, heartfelt performances by professional actors in otherworldly, gossamer medieval costumes.

Aside from the outdoor Jedermann, festival events are spread all across the city. Events held at the Felsenreitschule and the Grosses Festspielhaus are red-carpet worthy occasions where celebrities and members of high society often make appearances. These grand performance halls regularly host orchestras, operas, ballets, and many other musical acts. They seamlessly intertwine high culture and luxury.

For those who aren’t as interested in opulence and grandeur, many of the Salzburg Festival’s events take place in public events where you can get in for free. Some productions are broadcast on Kapitelplatz Square during the festival’s opening weekend. To enjoy screening programs right on the city’s cobblestone streets, with a view of Baroque architectural feats and the mystical Alpine mountains bordering in the distance, is perhaps one of the most authentic experiences of Salzburg any visitor could have.

The Salzburg Festival is a testament to music’s withstanding power to bring people from different walks of life together. Few world events can match its diversity and cultural richness. If you’re lover of music, drama, dance, or anything to do with cultural refinery, then Salzburg’s many stages are made for you.

Written by Camille Rosas