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WELCOME
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A
rchduke Leopold V, together with his wife Clau-
dia de Medici, started the “Opera boom” with the
construction of the house Comedihaus. This buil-
ding, which is now the Congresshaus, was constructed in
1629 by Christoph Gumpp and had a huge stage, on which
water battles and Equestrian ballets could take place.
The son, Archduke Ferdinand Karl, who was also mar-
ried to one of the ladies from the house Medici, inherited
his parent’s passion for music. He even brought Pietro An-
tonio Cesti to Innsbruck – an opera composer, who wrote
the opera “L’Argia” for the opening of the new court opera
house (now the regional theatre). The performance started
at 9:00 pm and lasted 7 hours! The occasion was the visit
and conversion of the Swedish Queen Christina to Christia-
nity – the first festival took place in Innsbruck, which was a
massive success. Afterwards the pockets were empty.
Today the “Festival of Early Music” still relates to the
magnificent era of opera, which came to an end with the
sudden death of the Archduke in 1662. In 1963 the con-
certs of the Ambras Castle served as a worthy successor
and in 1972 the famous international summer academy
for early music was founded by Professor Otto Ulf. Musici-
ans of all over the world met yearly in Innsbruck, to impro-
ve their skills during master courses in summer.
Innsbruck and the organs
Innsbruck plays an important role also regarding historical
organs. For a long time the “International Organ Week” took
place before Pentecost. One of the oldest playable organs
in the world can be found in Tyrol’s capital. The “Ebert” org-
an in the Hofkirche is the biggest, almost intact Renais-
sance organ of Austria and it is played regularly at the
Sunday Mass at 7:00 pm and at various concerts (dates on
www.tiroler-landesmuseen.at– Programme).
Moreover, every three years the “Paul Hofhaimer” com-
petition takes place, in which artists of all parts of the world
show their abilities in front of a strict jury. Innsbruck has
found its way from historical tradition to modern age.
The music offer is remarkable for a city of such a size.
Innsbruck also has its own symphony orchestra and ma-
ny more initiatives that strengthen its reputation as city of
music!
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THE CITY OF SOUND
Already in the 17
th
century, Innsbruck was known as the “Residence of Early Music”.
This was due to the
archdukes’ passion for music, who started building opera houses quite early, whereas not far away
the Thirty Years’ War was raging. //
MONIKA FRENZEL
©C.LACKNER
Promenadenkonzert im
Innenhof der Hofburg. // Promenade concert
in the courtyard of the Hofburg.