Salzburg Opera Camps

Each summer, participants come to Salzburg, representing a remarkable variety of countries and backgrounds. Some play instruments, others are singers or dancers, while some simply share a deep love of music. Many have grown up in families where concerts, opera, and the arts are an important part of everyday life. Some may already know the opera they will explore during their week in Salzburg; for others, it is an entirely new world.

The operas presented at the Salzburg Festival are not necessarily written with young audiences in mind. They can be long, their stories complex, and their themes, love, jealousy, power, suffering, and death, sometimes challenging even for adults. This is where the music educators play a vital role. Together with members of the Vienna Philharmonic and the dedicated team at Schloss Arenberg, they build a bridge between the world of great opera and the world of young people, making these extraordinary works accessible, meaningful, and exciting.

During the week, the participants have the opportunity to attend a rehearsal of the opera they are studying. They experience world-class singers, outstanding orchestras conducted by renowned maestros, and spectacular stage designs, often seeing and hearing opera at the highest possible level.

Inspired by this experience, the young participants then create and rehearse their own interpretation of the same opera. They explore the characters, music, drama, and emotions in their own way, bringing their ideas and creativity to the stage. At the end of the camp, they perform their version for an audience, sharing with family, friends, and guests what they have discovered and created during their week.

The themes of opera may be timeless and sometimes profound, but that is precisely what makes them so powerful. The drama and emotions of opera speak to people of every age. The fact that many participants return year after year is a testament to the lasting impression these camps make, and to the fact that opera is by no means an art form reserved for adults.

The unique atmosphere of Salzburg during the festival season, combined with the special setting of Schloss Arenberg, provides the perfect environment for this experience. Here, music, education, creativity, and friendship come together in a memorable week that opens the door to the world of opera for a new generation.

With the generous support of the Salzburg Stiftung der American Austrian Foundation, more than 2,500 children and young people have had the opportunity to participate in the opera camps at Schloss Arenberg. What began as an innovative educational initiative has grown into a truly international program, connecting young people from around the world through the shared experience of music and opera.

20 Years of Opera Camps at Schloss Arenberg

The opera camps celebrated their 20th anniversary on August 8, 2026, with a festive reception at the University Mozarteum. Over the years, the opera camps have become an integral part of the Salzburg Festival.

A variety of interesting remarks were delivered by Daniel Froschauer, Chairman of the Vienna Philharmonic, Dr. Kristina Hammer, President of the Salzburg Festival, and the driving forces behind the initiative in 2006: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Aulitzky of the Salzburg Stiftung der American Austrian Foundation and Dr. Dieter Flury, who was principal flutist and Chairman of the Vienna Philharmonic at the time. Prof. Klaus Schneider of the Detmold University of Music rounded out the program with a brief overview of music education.

A 10-minute documentary film provided insights into the 60 opera camps held between 2006 and 2026, featuring 40 different operas, from Gluck, Mozart, and Verdi to Schoenberg, Nono, and Messiaen. The camps took place under the direction of music educator Hanne Muthspiel-Payer and brought together more than 2,500 children and young people from 40 nations.

Contact

passwort:klassik | Musikvermittlung der Wiener Philharmoniker

Mag. Hanne Muthspiel-Payer, MM

Phone: +43 664 212 04 24
Email: office.passwortklassik@wienerphilharmoniker.at
Web: www.wienerphilharmoniker.at/en/jugend/pwk