Salisburgo: Hinterhäuser lascia, Karin Bergmann direttrice ad interim

The 2026 Salzburg Festival begins with an intriguing situation: Markus Hinterhäuser, the architect behind the program, has stepped down, leaving Karin Bergmann to take on the role of interim artistic director. Although the official reason cited is 'irreconcilable differences,' underlying governance concerns are believed to be at play. Established in 1920, the festival has transformed European musical theater by merging tradition with modernity. Hinterhäuser, inspired by Gérard Mortier, assigned classic works to directors such as Romeo Castellucci and Peter Sellars, who pushed boundaries. While some productions sparked debate, this embrace of risk defined the festival's essence. As European festivals gain economic prominence, the demand for shareable and sustainable choices intensifies. Hinterhäuser broadened the 20th-century repertoire but did not initiate new operas, raising doubts about the future of cultural experimentation.