Salzburger Marionettentheater

At the Salzburg Marionette Theater, the puppets are the real stars of the show. 
The humans deliberately remain in the background—or rather, above the action. 
This is because the artistically carved and intricately detailed marionettes are manipulated from a height of around two meters.
Up to twelve strings give each figure its mobility and expressiveness.
The experienced puppeteers master this technique with the utmost precision and sensitivity. Every movement, every gesture, and every emotion arises from the perfect interplay of craftsmanship and artistic sensitivity. 
The entire physical design of the figures, all the costumes, and the stage design for “The Old Tree” were developed and implemented in-house.
This makes every performance an impressive testament to the highest art of puppetry.

A musical puppet adventure featuring the best of the best that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has to offer!

The musical arrangements are by renowned violinist and composer Tscho Theissing, performed live by young singers and musicians. The Old Tree is a contemporary production about the questionable treatment of nature and its resources – but above all about young people's commitment to a future worth living. The result is a lively atmosphere on a highly topical issue.

Director Paul Schweinester takes on the tenor part, with Anija Lombard (soprano) and Brett Pruunsild (baritone) also singing. In addition to Bettina Gradinger, Maria Reiter, and Tscho Theissing (Die Wiener Theatermusiker), students from the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna play in a chamber ensemble.

The special puppetry technique used by the Salzburg Marionette Theater is unique worldwide.
It is based on a method of manipulating string-controlled figures that has been developed and refined over generations. This art form requires extraordinary concentration, coordination, and artistic sensitivity.

Thanks to this specific technique, the marionettes appear astonishingly lifelike and expressive. It is precisely this high art of puppetry that has been officially recognized.
The theater has been included in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
This distinction recognizes the art of puppetry as a cultural asset particularly worthy of preservation. UNESCO refers to it as the “most highly developed form of puppet theater.”

A visit therefore means not only an inspiring evening at the theater, but also an encounter with living world cultural heritage.