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Salzburg Festival

The Salzburg Festival is a world-renowned performing arts event in Austria that, in 2026, features a monumental production of Olivier Messiaen’s opera 'Saint François d’Assise.' Staged at the historic Felsenreitschule theater, the production is timed to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis and is noted for its massive scale and immersive staging elements.

Date
Aug 4-23, 2026
Location
Salzburg
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Salzburg Festival

Event summary

Highlights

  • New production of Olivier Messiaen’s six-hour opera 'Saint François d’Assise'
  • Features live animals on stage including sheep, a peacock, and a wolfdog
  • Sourdough bread baked on stage during the performance
  • Staged at the historic Felsenreitschule, a theater built into a rock quarry
The 2026 Salzburg Festival highlights a new production of Olivier Messiaen’s only opera, 'Saint François d’Assise,' directed by Romeo Castellucci. This extensive operatic work lasts over six hours and involves 120 musicians and a 90-person chorus. The staging is recognized for its unconventional and sensory elements, including the presence of live animals such as a peacock, sheep, and a wolfdog on stage, alongside the aroma of sourdough bread baked in industrial ovens during the performance.

The performances take place at the Felsenreitschule, a unique 1,400-seat venue carved into the Mönchsberg rock quarry. The production features Canadian bass-baritone Philippe Sly in the title role, with musical direction by conductor Maxime Pascal. The complex score requires a specialized setup, including three electronic ondes Martenots and multiple percussion sections positioned around the stage to capture Messiaen’s intricate musical vision.

Practical details

Location described by the source
Felsenreitschule
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Area for browsing nearby events
Salzburg

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