Historical agreement between the Accademia Musicale Chigiana (Siena) and the University Mozarteum

In recognition of her activities in the name of social freedom and fundamental democratic values, the Mozarteum University awarded Maria Kalesnikava an honorary professorship as part of the long-term project ‘Practicing Care – A Care Network at an Arts University’. After a long wait, Maria Kalesnikava was able to accept her honorary professorship in person on 5 October. She had already been awarded the honorary professorship by the Mozarteum University in autumn 2022, in her absence.

The Institute for Contemporary Music at Mozarteum University focuses on artistic collaboration, interdisciplinarity in practice and, above all, experimentation.

At the start of the 2026/27 winter semester, Mozarteum University welcomes nine internationally renowned artists and academics to its faculty. The new appointees bring expertise in a range of disciplines, from violin and piano to orchestral conducting and music theory, as well as the teaching of design & technology.

We mourn the loss of one of the most influential figures at our University and, in particular, within the Department of Opera Studies. On 24 September 2026, the renowned conductor, passionate educator and Professor Emeritus Josef Wallnig passed away at the age of 80. With his passing, the world of music and our university community have lost a highly respected advocate for the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.