THE SALZBURG STATE THEATRE

The Salzburg Landestheater is the city’s leading venue for the performing arts, radiating cultural influence far beyond Austria's borders. Opera, drama, ballet, and the youth division “Junges Land” work together as four vibrant and distinctive branches, united by a shared vision of artistic excellence.Alongside contemporary works, the theatre maintains a strong classical repertoire — all with a commitment to artistic creation in the 21st century, a dedication to accessible and relevant art, and a focus on nurturing young talent.

Since 2009, Carl Philip von Maldeghem has served as Artistic Director of the Salzburg State Theatre. Under his leadership, a notable artistic revitalization has taken place across all divisions. By 2014, the total number of performances had significantly increased, with audience numbers rising by 65%.

OperA

The Salzburg Opera is the centerpiece of professional music theatre in Mozart’s city: a year-round program with six to eight new productions each season, performed with a distinguished ensemble and internationally acclaimed guest artists. Renowned conductors and directors are drawn to this stage — a place that has itself become part of opera history.

DRAMA

The Salzburg Drama division is the leading spoken-word stage in the city and region. It follows Max Reinhardt’s ideal of turning “the city into a stage,” while embracing its role as a contemporary theatre rooted in both classical and modern texts, and engaged in aesthetic and social discourse. At its core is a strong ensemble, regularly joined by guest performers from across the German-speaking world.

Ballet

The Salzburg Ballet is the internationally recognized dance company of the Salzburg Landestheater. Its particular strength lies in classical ballet, enriched by the dynamic vocabulary of modern dance. With guest performances abroad, Salzburg Ballet serves as a cultural ambassador for the city.

Junges Land

“Junges Land” is the Salzburg Landestheater’s division for children’s and youth theatre. All artists of the house contribute to staging productions that resonate with younger audiences — from adaptations of classic works to innovative contemporary pieces. The division also offers a rich program of theatre education and outreach.

DID YOU KNOW?

The tradition of theatre in Salzburg’s Mirabell Gardens goes back nearly 400 years. In 1625, the Ballhaus was established opposite Mirabell Palace, at the heart of the city’s Neustadt district, becoming a hub of social and cultural life. In 1775, Prince-Archbishop Colloredo built the “Prince-Archbishop’s Court Theatre” on the same site, with seating for around 300. Interestingly, the stage was oriented in the opposite direction compared to today’s Landestheater. Over the years, the building underwent several transformations: it was expanded in 1787, and after another major renovation in 1854, it emerged as a multi-tiered loge theatre with a top gallery likely containing many standing places.