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On 15 May, Giuseppe Verdi's last opera Falstaff celebrates its premiere under the musical direction of Kai Röhrig and directed by Florentine Klepper. The two artists provide exciting insights into the production and its creation in a double interview.

Sarah Nemtsov, renowned composer and university professor of composition at the Mozarteum University, will receive the Heidelberger Künstlerinnenpreis 2025 for her outstanding contributions to contemporary music. The prize, which has been endowed with 10,000 euros since 2025, is one of the most important cultural prizes in Germany and is the only prize in the world to be awarded exclusively to female composers.

Sir John Falstaff is a natural phenomenon: his appearance is imposing, his demeanour commanding, his manner possessive. And most fascinating of all: the event does not care about rules, conventions or decorum, it simply exists for its own sake, in a sense for nothing but its belly.

Masterclasses, concerts, operettas, contemporary composition and much more between Salzburg, Bad Ischl and Siena: an exciting academy summer awaits at the Mozarteum University!

Last Saturday, after four intensive weeks under the artistic direction of Hannfried Lucke, the International Summer Academy 2024 came to a very successful end with 55 masterclasses, 13 additional courses and 66 concerts. 550 participants from 53 nations (average age 21) were guests in Salzburg. Twelve up-and-coming artists were honoured and each received 1,000 euros in prize money donated by the City of Salzburg's Cultural Fund.

Meral Guneyman is a versatile classical musician, with numerous releases, who is comfortable in both pop and jazz music, has transcribed many original works and is also an enthusiastic arranger and improviser. Her ability to move between classical and jazz with lightning speed and conviction is a rarity. In 2021, her arrangements of classic David Bowie songs were presented for the first time on ‘Steinway-Spirio’ - a high-resolution self-playing system of the highest quality.

The performance of Vincenzo Bellini's opera I Capuleti e i Montecchi delivered a powerful reinterpretation of the masterpiece. Directed by Alexander von Pfeil, the production centred on the relentless feud between two rival clans and the profound despair of its victims. This staging transcended specific eras, placing the story in a universal, timeless setting that brought Bellini's dark vision of love and war to the stage with harrowing clarity.

Florentine Klepper and Kai Röhrig in conversation about the next major production at the Opera & Music Theatre Department: Christian Jost's Dichterliebe.

Every year, the Mozarteum University honours students majoring in violin who have shown particular talent and achievement with the Paul Roczek Award, which is endowed with 10,000 euros. The winner of the Paul Roczek Award 2024 is Arieta Liatsi.

Every year, the Paul Roczek Award in the amount of 10,000 euros is presented by the Mozarteum University to students majoring in violin who have demonstrated exceptional talent, special achievement or unusual commitment to the artistic goals of the Mozarteum.

The only voice teacher Cecilia Bartoli has ever had is her mother, the soprano Silvana Bartoli Bazzoni. We are delighted to announce that from 4 to 8 August 2025, professional singers of all voice types will have the unique opportunity to work personally with Silvana Bartoli Bazzoni on ‘fundamental principles of vocal technique - the basis of a long singing life’ in a masterclass as part of the International Summer Academy at Mozarteum University. Registration is open now.

The Ö1 Composition Prize 2025, endowed with 10,000 euros, goes to the young composer Christiaan Willemse. He is studying composition in the postgraduate programme with Johannes Maria Staud at the Mozarteum University and impressed the jury with his personal and technically advanced works and compositional flair - congratulations!

Under the artistic direction of Hannfried Lucke, four intensive weeks came to an end on Saturday, featuring 57 masterclasses in 13 subjects, Young Excellence classes and numerous additional offerings on health and professional qualification for musicians. A total of 12 prize winners were honoured for their outstanding achievements.

From October 2026, students at Mozarteum University Salzburg will have the opportunity to gain in-depth insight into orchestral conducting. Christian Thielemann, together with his assistants Martin Fuchsberger and Jobst Schneiderat, will assume responsibility for the artistic training of a select group of aspiring orchestral conductors. Registration for the audition is open until 28 February 2026.

Senior Lecturer in Orchestral Conducting