Music maestro Rafael Fingerless assumes the role of director for the Salzkammergut Festival.
In a significant shift for the cultural landscape of Gmunden, renowned baritone Rafael Fingerlos has been appointed as the new artistic director of the music department at the Salzkammergut Festwochen Gmunden, effective from 2026. The announcement was made during the presentation of the summer program for the music festival on Friday.
Fingerlos, a celebrated performer with a rich history of prestigious collaborations and performances in renowned venues such as the Wiener Konzerthaus, brings a wealth of artistic experience to his new role. His appointment marks a fresh artistic direction for the festival, with a likely emphasis on vocal excellence and rich musical experiences.
However, specific details about Fingerlos' exact vision for the festival remain unclear, as no explicit publicly available statements on his precise plans have been made. Nevertheless, his approach as the new artistic director will be inspired by a quote from Franz Schubert, who famously said he hated nothing more than one-sidedness, suggesting a commitment to diversity and balance in the festival's programming.
The departure of the current artistic director, Christian Hieke, is at his own request. Hieke's tenure saw the remarkable development of the Salzkammergut Festwochen Gmunden in recent years, and he leaves with a praise for the festival's growth. Fingerlos, in turn, has promised that the Salzkammergut Festwochen Gmunden will continue to be many things, but never one-sided.
At this time, no further details about potential interim leadership or future plans for the Salzkammergut Festwochen Gmunden have been released. The change in artistic direction will occur within the music department of the festival.
As the new artistic director, Fingerlos is poised to bring a unique blend of artistic vision and practical experience to the Salzkammergut Festwochen Gmunden, promising a continued commitment to the festival's rich musical heritage and a focus on innovative and engaging programming for its audiences.
Fingerlos, in his new role as artistic director, might introduce a wide range of musical entertainment, demonstrating a clear commitment to maintain the festival's musical legacy while offering fresh and captivating performances.
With his extensive experience in prestigious music venues, it's possible that Fingerlos' leadership could bring about an era of vibrant and diverse music experiences at the Salzkammergut Festwochen Gmunden.
