Markus Hinterhauser, Director of the Salzburg Festival…

Markus Hinterhauser will remain director of the Salzburg Festival for another five years. He prevailed at a hearing before the festival's board of trustees

Markus Hinterhauser will remain director of the Salzburg Festival for another five years. The 66-year-old clearly prevailed at a hearing before the festival's board of trustees on Thursday. His contract does not expire until the end of September 2026, but due to the deadlines for the 2027 festival programme, a new call for tenders has been put out early. Today Hinterhäuser has been extended until 2031, but there is a mutual possibility of termination on September 30, 2029.

The position of artistic director was announced – as is customary internationally – at the beginning of the year in order to ensure security planning for the festival, the Salzburg Festival Board of Trustees announced in the evening. “The director has been repeatedly celebrated by audiences and critics around the world for his exceptional artistic successes, even under the most difficult circumstances, such as the Covid pandemic,” a broadcast after the decision said. Therefore, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to extend the contract.

Hinterhäuser “knows the company well”

“Markus Hinterhauser really convinced us with his concept at the hearing and therefore he came out first. “His artistic concept, his feeling and skill in dealing with social issues in an artistic way, as well as his courage to always break new ground, simply convinced us,” stressed the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Hans Scharfeiter. “In addition, Markus Hinterhauser knows the company well and has been closely involved in the expansion plans since the beginning and is aware of the future challenges associated with them.”

In his first reaction after the contract extension, Hinterhauser spoke of the great confidence that filled him with happiness and pride. He added: “In the coming years, we will face great challenges, especially due to the renovation and expansion of the festival halls. Naturally, our demand for the highest quality remains unaffected.

“He had a decisive influence on the Salzburg Festival”

“Marcus Hinterhäuser has had a decisive influence on the Salzburg Festival in recent years and, thanks to his sensitive programmes, has managed to combine traditional and modern elements in an integrated work of art,” stressed State Secretary for Arts and Culture Andrea Mayer (Green Party) in a press release. “Thanks to him the Salzburg Festival is where it is: at the top of the classical music world. I am very pleased that he has applied for another term and I wish him all the best – also because the Festival may need continuity in artistic direction in view of next year’s renewal.”

Seven men and one woman applied for the artistic directorship of the Salzburg Festival, five of whom were invited to the hearing on Thursday. (Abba)