The Sound Of Music
Prestige Hong Kong|August 2017

Rolex flies zaneta cheng to the annual Salzburg Whitsun Festival to see how the arts can be a panacea for despair, casting a spell so deep audiences can’t help returning

Salzburg Whitsun
The Sound Of Music

TAKE A LOOK at classical music festivals across Europe and you’ll find that their origin stories sometimes read like the plot of a Marvel movie. The intent to build the festivals often coincides with ongoing violent conflict or its aftermath and the appearance of a figure of superior strength and resolute moral conviction to resolve the struggle – with the hero usually hailing from an unassuming small town.

Following World War I and the disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austria was left a landlocked speck surrounded by countries that were once subject to its rule. The loss of might and identity around the nation affected Austrian morale. In order to alleviate the loss and anger, the founders of the festival, Baden-born theatre and film director Max Reinhardt, composer Richard Strauss and prodigy Hugo von Hofmannsthal, banded together in the hopes of re-establishing a human order through art. The death toll was of such magnitude that it was hoped people would conduct a musical pilgrimage to the small city of Salzburg, where the echo of villainy between European citizens could melt away in the presence of music and theatre. Thus, in 1920, the Salzburg Festival was born with a performance of von Hofmannsthal’s play Jederman (“Everyman”), which has since been performed annually at the festival, with a few exceptions between 1920 and 1940.

Though I attend only the shorter Salzburg Whitsun Festival, founded in 1973 by the celebrated composer Herbert von Karajan – whose name in this community is akin to that of God – I am under no doubt after its four days that I have been given a privileged glimpse into the Olympus of classical music, a site that, rightly, musical connoisseurs flock to come May.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2017-Ausgabe von Prestige Hong Kong.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2017-Ausgabe von Prestige Hong Kong.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS PRESTIGE HONG KONGAlle anzeigen
One Step Beyond
Prestige Hong Kong

One Step Beyond

Dancer and actress JENNA DEWAN TATUM has built a career tripping the light fantastic. 

time-read
6 Minuten  |
May 2017
Crown and Glory
Prestige Hong Kong

Crown and Glory

The “Forbidden City” plays host to an array of fine art and jewellery, and Chaumet’s aptly named Imperial Splendours exhibition.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
May 2017
Bright Young Things
Prestige Hong Kong

Bright Young Things

After some serious time in the limelight, summer’s big make-up trend is finally putting brows in the shade.

time-read
1 min  |
May 2017
Fragrant Fancies
Prestige Hong Kong

Fragrant Fancies

The nose behind the reinterpretation of three Bulgari fragrances, Sophie Labbe talks to ZANETA CHENG about the jewels of scent, floral absolutes and ageless femininity.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
May 2017
Reachable Recharge
Prestige Hong Kong

Reachable Recharge

The wellness effect of a stay at Amanoi, in a remote part of south-eastern Vietnam, begins before arrival.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
May 2017
Contemporary Inklings
Prestige Hong Kong

Contemporary Inklings

With a mixed palette of traditional Chinese painting skills and avant-garde Western influences, octogenarian LIU KUO-SUNG, a leading force in modern ink art, reflects on his work with ANDREW DEMBINA.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
May 2017
French Lessons
Prestige Hong Kong

French Lessons

STEPHEN MCCARTY discovers the dark side of jazz-era China.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
May 2017
Top of the Crops
Prestige Hong Kong

Top of the Crops

It’s been a long time coming, but the health-food movement has finally hit Hong Kong’s fine-dining scene.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
May 2017
Modern History
Prestige Hong Kong

Modern History

Delvaux’s Hong Kong flagship store has just opened its gilded doors in Central. 

time-read
4 Minuten  |
July 2017
Double Act
Prestige Hong Kong

Double Act

Two designers, two brands, two worlds. Creative directors Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia tell Alice Franklin why taking the reins at Oscar de la Renta made sense as Monse, their new brand on the block, continues to impress

time-read
6 Minuten  |
July 2017