29. 07. 10. - 14:00

Chinese premiere at Salzburg Festival

A Chinese orchestra performed at the Salzburg Festival (Salzburger Festspiele) for the first time in the world famous event’s 90-year history.

The China Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Hou Junxia, played traditional Chinese compositions as well as modern works on Tuesday.

Junxia praised the event – which started last Sunday – as the "music Olympics".

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with Austrian Social Democratic (SPÖ) Chancellor Werner Faymann to discuss the two country’s relationship. Both politicians attended Salzburg Festival performances.

Faymann pointed out China’s "important role in crisis times" for the economy of his country during a visit to the Expo 2010 in Shanghai last May.

Dozens of classical concerts, theatre plays and operas will be performed at this year’s edition of the major event until 30 August.

National broadcaster ORF will screen various special programmes about the festival on TV channel ORF 2, while radio station Ö1 will devote some of its regular features to the event.

Up to half a million people tuned in for the ORF’s time-lapsed screening of the performance of Hugo von Hoffmansthal’s play "Jedermann" Sunday night.

Burgtheater star Nicholas Ofczarek stars in the leading role of a swanky fast liver in the iconic drama this year, following Peter Simonischek who played the part for a record eight years.

All performances of the play are sold out within minutes after tickets go on sale every year – despite most critics dismissing "Jedermann" as little sophisticated and too simple.

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