Celebrate the European spring with music and opera from Europe’s finest orchestras, soloists and conductors at the Salzburg and Baden-Baden Easter Festivals.

At a Glance

  • Enjoy among the best seats in the house for opera and orchestral performances in Salzburg, Baden-Baden and Munich
  • Attend performances by some of Europe’s most renowned symphony orchestras and opera companies, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Bavarian State Opera and Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
  • See Klaus Mäkelä and Kirill Petrenko conduct the Berlin Philharmonic in three performances featuring leading guest soloists
  • Enrich your musical appreciation with pre-performance talks by your tour leader, classical music broadcaster Christopher Lawrence

Founded by Herbert von Karajan in 1967, the Salzburg Easter Festival brings together high musical standards with refined ambience on one of the world’s biggest stages. Over four days, attend a performance of Mussorgsky’s opera Khovanshchina, see Esa-Pekka Salonen conduct the acclaimed Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and attend a concert by the world-leading Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra.

At the Baden-Baden Easter Festival, enjoy the rare opportunity to attend three performances of the prestigious Berlin Philharmonic, featuring renowned pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and soprano Eleonora Buratto.

Between the festivals, in Munich, enjoy the Bavarian State Opera’s production of Puccini’s Manon Lescaut under the baton of accomplished conductor Marco Armiliato.

Dates

11 – 22 April 2025 (12 days)

Tour leader

Christopher Lawrence

Tour Status

Available

Book now

Itinerary

Arrive in Salzburg on suggested flights and make your way to the hotel. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including travel insurance (a condition of travel), private hotel transfer, accommodation before or after the tour and a room category upgrade.

In the late-afternoon, join your tour leader Christopher Lawrence and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing followed by dinner.

(D)

Begin the day with a talk by Christopher on the coming days’ performances. Then, enjoy a walking tour of Salzburg’s UNESCO-listed historic centre, dominated by the fortress of Hohensalzburg and renowned not only as the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, but also for its splendid Renaissance architecture and Baroque courtyards.

After lunch at a local restaurant, the afternoon is at leisure.

In the evening, attend the first of four Easter Festival performances at the Grosses Festspielhaus, one of the largest opera houses in the world. Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the acclaimed Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra in a new production of Mussorgsky’s monumental work Khovanshchina, staged by acclaimed director Simon McBurney. This ‘folk drama’ of the late 19th century reveals an unsettlingly topical image of Russian politics and society, characterised by violence, power struggles and class tensions.

(BL)

This morning, explore the DomQuartier museum complex, which epitomises Salzburg’s glorious Baroque centre including the cathedral arches, residences, Cathedral Square and the Long Gallery.

Tonight, return to the Grosses Festspielhaus for a concert with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen featuring soprano Mané Galoyan and alto Jasmin White.

PROGRAM:
Mahler
– Symphony No. 2 in C minor, ‘Resurrection’

(BL)

After a talk by Christopher, enjoy a private tour of the Autograph Vault, located in the basement of the Mozart Residence, exhibiting more than half of all known documents associated with Mozart’s family, including around 200 of Mozart’s original letters. Continue with a tour of the Residence, where Mozart lived until 1780 and composed many of his masterpieces.

After a free afternoon, Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra are joined by emerging cellist Senja Rummukainen, playing music by their national composer, Jean Sibelius.

PROGRAM:
Salonen
– Cello Concerto
Sibelius – Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43

(BL)

Enjoy a full day at leisure to further explore Salzburg at your own pace.

Tonight, young Norwegian conductor Tabita Berglund makes her Salzburg debut together with the musicians of the renowned Mozarteum Orchestra in an evening of arias and duets featuring soprano Sondra Radvanovsky, tenor SeokJong Baek and baritone Simon Keenlyside.

PROGRAM:
Excerpts from:
Tchaikovsky Eugen Onegin and Pique Dame
DvořákRusalka
GiordanoFedora and Andrea Chénier
VerdiMacbeth

(B)

This morning, depart Salzburg and travel west into Germany and through Bavaria, arriving in Munich in time for lunch. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

(BL)

After a pre-performance talk by Christopher, discover the stunning Lenbachhaus art gallery, home to the world’s largest collection of art by the Blue Rider movement, including pieces by Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Gabriele Münter and Franz Marc – amongst others.

Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in the Bavarian capital. Why not visit one of Munich’s art museums, such as the Alte Pinakothek or the Pinakothek der Moderne?

Tonight, attend the Bavarian State Opera’s production of Puccini’s Manon Lescaut under the baton of accomplished conductor Marco Armiliato with Ermonela Jaho in the title role at the National Theatre.

(B)

Depart Munich in the morning and transfer to Baden-Baden, stopping for lunch at a local restaurant on the way.

Arrive in the world-renowned Black Forest spa town of Baden-Baden in the late-afternoon. The evening is at leisure.

(BL)

After a pre-performance talk by Christopher, enjoy a morning walking tour of Baden-Baden, admiring the 19th-century ‘Belle Époque’ architecture of the town and taking in sights such as the elegant casino and the Roman baths.

The afternoon is at leisure to further explore Baden-Baden at your own pace. You might wish to visit Museum Frieder Burda, designed by renowned New York architect Richard Meier and home to an exceptional collection of modern and contemporary art including works by Picasso, Gerhard Richter and Jackson Pollock.

In the evening, attend the first of three performances with the prestigious Berlin Philharmonic at the Festspielhaus Baden-Baden. Tonight’s concert is led by young prodigious conductor Klaus Mäkelä and features acclaimed Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes.

PROGRAM:
Rachmaninoff
– Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30
StraussAn Alpine Symphony, Op. 64

(BL)

Today, discover the Rastatt Residential Palace, the oldest Baroque residence in the Upper Rhine Valley, modelled after Versailles. The palace, gardens and town were planned as a whole, to create an impression of elegant, perfectly-proportioned uniformity – with the palace commanding pride of place at the centre. Get a glimpse into the opulent world of 18th-century German nobility on a guided tour of the palace.

Tonight, return to the Festspielhaus for director Davide Livermore’s new production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly with the Berlin Philharmonic under the baton of Kirill Petrenko. The prominent cast includes highly-regarded soprano Eleonora Burrato as Cio-Cio-San and rising-star tenor Jonathan Tetelman as Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton.

(BL)

The final performance of the Baden-Baden Easter Festival and last performance of the tour is a matinee concert by the Berlin Philharmonic with conductor Kirill Petrenko, soprano Katharina Konradi, mezzo-soprano Beth Taylor, tenor Sebastian Kohlhepp and bass Tareq Nazmi.

PROGRAM:
Beethoven
– Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125

After a special farewell lunch, the remainder of the day is at leisure.

(BL)

Tour arrangements conclude with a morning included group transfer to Frankfurt Airport for flights departing from 15:00. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including any additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

(B)

Prices

Per person, twin-share

AUD 13,950

Single supplement

AUD 2,550

Deposit per person (at time of booking)

AUD 3,500

Second payment per person (due 08 Nov 2024)

AUD 3,500

Payment schedule

Deposit per person AUD 3,500
At time of booking

Second payment per person AUD 3,500
08 November 2024

Balance
10 January 2025

Room category upgrade available on request; please enquire with us.

Tour price includes

  • Accommodation in centrally-located 4- and 5-star hotels with breakfast daily (B)
  • Meals as per itinerary (L=Lunch, D=Dinner), including wines with meals
  • Premium category (or best available) tickets to all included performances
  • Lectures and talks by your tour leader, classical music broadcaster Christopher Lawrence
  • Comprehensive sightseeing, including local guides and entrance fees as per itinerary
  • Transportation on comfortable air-conditioned coaches
  • Group transfer on departure to Frankfurt Airport if using the included group transfer
  • Gratuities for local guides, drivers and wait staff
  • Hotel porterage (one piece per person)

Tour price does not include

  • International airfares (please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)
  • Airport porterage
  • Airport/hotel transfer on arrival, and on departure if not using the included group transfer
  • Items of a personal nature (e.g. telephone, laundry, room service, mini-bar, taxis etc.)
  • Travel insurance (a condition of travel; please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for assistance)

Hotel

Your hotels
Salzburg – Radisson Blu Altstadt Hotel, Salzburg*****
Munich – Platzl Hotel****
Baden-Baden – Maison Messmer*****

N.B. Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted.

More Details

Tour code: ML2503

Fitness level: Moderate
Please see Terms & Conditions for fitness level definitions here.

Suggested airline: Qantas/Lufthansa
Please contact Renaissance Tours or your travel agent for current airfares and flight reservations.

Visa
Australian and New Zealand passport holders do not require a visa to visit Austria and Germany.

Download booking form here.

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