Over 200 Golden Mozart Statuettes Stolen from Salzburg Installation
Over 200 small golden figures representing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart were taken from the public art display 'Mozart—The Untamable Genius' in Salzburg, Austria, just months after the composer's 270th birthday on January 27. The installation, which was launched in early July, showcased 320 statuettes in various spots. The theft began with two figures, which escalated to around 80, and by Wednesday, the count reached 210 missing statuettes. Each figure, measuring under 20 inches and valued at approximately $100, results in a total loss of about $23,000. Artist Ottmar Hörl referred to the incidents as 'organized theft' and mentioned previous similar occurrences. Nevertheless, Salzburg plans to celebrate Mozart during the annual Mozart Week from January 21-31, 2024.
Key facts
- 210 golden Mozart statuettes stolen from Salzburg installation
- Installation titled 'Mozart—The Untamable Genius' unveiled in early July
- 320 statuettes placed across Salzburg, including Mozarteum and Mirabell Gardens
- Each statuette worth approximately $100, total loss around $23,000
- Artist Ottmar Hörl created the works to show Mozart's human side
- Hörl's 2023 Wagner statuettes also stolen from Bayreuth Festival Theatre
- Factory producing statuettes closed for summer break
- Mozart Week scheduled for January 21-31 next year
Entities
Artists
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Ottmar Hörl
- Richard Wagner
Institutions
- Mozarteum Foundation
- Bayreuth Festival Theatre
- Mozarteum
- Associated Press
- dpa
Locations
- Salzburg
- Austria
- Mirabell Gardens
- Magic Flute Pavilion
- Germany
- Bayreuth
- Mirabell Garden