Salzburg Advent Singing 2022: “Snow in Bethlehem!” more relevant than ever
After the corona-related cancellation last year, the intention is to bring Advent singing to the stage of the large festival hall again this year. The piece “Snow in Bethlehem!” wants to take you into the fairytale world of the Orient and makes reference to current events, such as the Ukraine war.
SALZBURG. Already in 2015 the piece “Snow in Bethlehem!” performed in the Festspielhaus. The work from that time, all about Maria and Josef’s search for a hostel, was improbably up-to-date in view of the influx of refugees, and the revival also refers to today’s refugees who fled the war in Ukraine.
“Again and again we let the present flow into the piece,” explains Hans Köhl, overall director of the Salzburg Advent Singing.
“There are signals that people probably pick up unconsciously.” Hans Kohl
“I have updated a few things in the text, exactly in this direction, in order to be up-to-date. For example when looking for a hostel: Maria and Josef don’t get a hostel – even if they have a lot of money, the two are not admitted.”
Old piece reinterpreted
As in the 2015 play, there will be snow again this year in the Salzburg Advent Singing. A gap of seven centimeters “in front of the iron stage”, as it was called at the press conference, will ensure the snow magic in the Festspielhaus.
The 2015 costumes were also disassembled, recycled and reassembled with new lines. “Not an inch was wasted,” says costume designer Hellmut Hölzl.
“I’ve always had theater in my genes and in my life.” Gerda Gritzer
For Shane Woodborne, the special thing about the Salzburg Advent Singing is that it combines the different styles of music – from classical to folk music. “A revival is not copy and paste,” says the composer. For this year’s performance, he prevents the focus on the mood of the music, which is supposed to transport the bitter cold.
Making the unsaid visible
The subtext is also important for the acting director Gerda Gratzer. In cooperation with the actors, they want to create believable characters who make the unsaid tangible with their voices and looks.
For Gratzer, working on the piece is a debut, about which she says enthusiastically: “There is magic in every beginning.”
Stage design at the Salzburg Advent Singing
Dietmar Solt, who was born in Salzburg, also designed the stage and costumes at the Mozarteum. For the piece, he arranged the choir in two separate blocks, working with different levels, entrances and stairs. About the look he says: “Ultimately we are in an urban situation that is characterized by an oriental feeling.”
Advent singing is well prepared for Corona
Due to the Corona situation, the play could not be performed last year. Visitors were free to decide whether they wanted to have the ticket price refunded or rebook for this year.
A good half decided to rebook. “We started today with 50 percent capacity,” explains Stefan Sperr from the ticket service. In view of the corona situation, the Salzburg Advent singing team was prepared and “well armed”, as Köhl informed. He does not hope that there will be more restrictions in the coming weeks.
Will you watch the Salzburg Advent Singing this year?
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Salzburg Advent Singing 2015 – click here for the photo gallery