Scenic oratorio by Hans Köhl and Shane Woodborne
Dates
1st Advent weekend
Fri, Nov. 27, 7:30 p.m. Premiere
Sat, Nov. 28, 2:00 p.m./5:30 p.m.
Sun, Nov. 29, 2:00 p.m./5:30 p.m.
Second weekend of Advent
Sat, Dec. 5, 2:00 p.m./5:30 p.m.
Sun, Dec. 6, 2:00 p.m./5:30 p.m.
Tue, Dec. 8, 2:00 p.m.
3rd Advent weekend
Sat, Dec. 12, 2:00 p.m./5:30 p.m.
Sun, Dec. 13, 2:00 p.m.
Duration of the performance:
approx. 1 hour 40 minutes, no intermission
Thoughts on the Salzburg Advent Singing
The miracle of birth is one of the great mysteries of this world – and it is surely a happy coincidence that two mystery plays enjoy great popularity in Salzburg, the “Rome of the North”: in summer, “Jedermann” on Cathedral Square with the mystery of death, and in winter, “Adventsingen” in the Festival Hall with the mystery of birth – the universal sign of hope and confidence.
This anniversary work brings my 27 years as artistic director of the Salzburg Advent Singing full circle. Infinitely grateful and inspired to be able to serve this unique cultural experience, this anniversary Advent Singing will reflect the essence of what has become particularly valuable to me over the years. Traditions lived over many years and the shepherds’ playing of familiar songs and melodies will once again play a central role in connection with the events surrounding Mary and Joseph. In my efforts to continually explore new territory in this subject matter, however, my curiosity grew about the diversity of the world’s religions and the search for the “great mystery” that is inherent in all of us. The mystery of this divine spark will be given special consideration this time.
In addition to folk music, musical gems will include works by four composers who have had a significant influence on the Salzburg Advent Singing over the decades. This new scenic oratorio is intended to be a heartfelt but also thought-provoking Advent singing worthy of the anniversary, harmoniously blending in with the large number of previous productions.
Hans Köhl
Artistic director, script, program
2026
80 years of Salzburg Advent Singing
It began in 1946 as a modest folk culture memorial service for friends who longed for a better, more peaceful world, and under its founder, Tobi Reiser Sr., it developed into the Salzburg Advent Singing—the nucleus and great example for numerous “Advent Singings” throughout the German-speaking world.
The venues in the archbishop’s residence and in the auditorium of the University of Salzburg quickly became too small, so in 1960 Tobi Reiser took the plunge and moved to the newly built Großes Festspielhaus. His successor, Tobias Reiser the Younger, continued to develop this responsible legacy with great success from 1974 onwards, giving the Advent Singing in the Great Festival Hall a new, artistically sophisticated profile until his death in 1999.
The successful path of cautious but steady development has continued since 2000 under the artistic direction of Hans Köhl. The traditional event has developed into a socially relevant, now internationally sought-after major cultural event.
From the very beginning, this peace project has resonated with the central message of peace to all people of good will. Interwoven with the Advent mystery of the Nativity, familiar sounds, and contemporary approaches, the productions become unique experiences. Around 34,000 visitors flock here every year—a total of over two million guests since its inception. At the anniversary Advent Singing in 2026, the curtain will rise on
The most beautiful story in the world
This most beautiful story in the world opens up new universal perspectives for believers and visitors who are not deeply religious, reflecting socially relevant spiritual messages. In these turbulent times, the Salzburg Advent Singing strives to convey hope and confidence with messages that touch the heart.
Shepherds who capture the heart
For 75 years now, the shepherd children have been the “heart” of the Salzburg Advent Singing. Their performances are among the most touching and atmospheric moments. With their genuine, honest, childlike manner, they can be heard singing in the most beautiful Salzburg dialect and delight audiences every year with their shepherd songs, G’stanzln, and the original Schleunigen mit Påsch.
The children’s choir was founded in 1935 by the late Karl Schindler.
Familiar songs and tunes
The Salzburg Advent Singing has a unique musical dialect. The harmoniously coordinated sound structure of familiar folk songs and tunes, classical works, and new compositions creates an atmospheric sound experience every year, in which the mystery of the spiritual message resonates in a very special way.
A large community
During the performances in the Großes Festspielhaus, you can feel the energy of the more than 2,000 visitors and performers flowing together. An indescribable, energetic aura of a large community unfolds, reaching a blissful climax at the latest when everyone sings the devotional yodel together.
2025
Leading Team
Leading Team
Hans Köhl
has been the artistic director of the Salzburg Advent Singing for 27 years. He is also the managing director of the non-profit Kulturwerk Salzburg GmbH, which organizes this traditional Salzburg cultural institution. He is the driving force behind this internationally renowned event.
Every year, he conceives new scenic-musical works, writes the books, takes care of the folk music components, and develops new Salzburg Advent Singing events in close cooperation with the respective composers. A tireless search for new approaches and their contemporary implementation, incorporating valuable traditions, is the driving force behind his successful work.
Aware of the responsible, tradition-rich heritage, Hans Köhl sets the highest possible artistic standards for himself and all those involved. Under his leadership, the Salzburg Advent Singing surprises with ever new experiences of the Advent season and the mystery surrounding the divine miracle of birth.
Shane Woodborne
studies violoncello and piano in Cape Town, South Africa, and at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg. During his studies, he increasingly devotes himself to composing. He has composed commissioned works for the Beethoven Society in Bremen, the Zeitfluss Festival in Salzburg, Jeunesse, and the Lindesnes Chamber Music Festival in Norway, among others. These include works for choir and orchestra as well as song cycles, solo works, and chamber music. The musician and composer has been a member of the Camerata Salzburg since 1992.
Shane Woodborne has composed numerous musical works for world premieres and new versions of Salzburg Advent songs, such as “Da hat vor dem Stall der Äpfibam bliaht” (1999, 2007), “Siehe ich bin des Herren Magd” (2002), “Maria” (2009), ‘Sehnsucht’ (2013), “Schnee in Bethlehem” (2015, 2022), “Fürchte dich nicht!” (2020, 2021, 2022) and “Der blinde Hirte” (2017, 2025).
Herbert Böck
Initial musical training as a Vienna Boys’ Choir soprano soloist. Studied conducting, oboe, composition, and music education at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. 1985-1989: Principal oboist with the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. 1989-1998: Artistic director of the Vienna Singakademie with conducting duties at the Vienna Konzerthaus.
Principal conductor of the Vienna Jeunesse Orchestra, artistic director of Concentus Vocalis, since 1995 professor of choir and ensemble conducting at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg. Founded the Mozarteum University Chamber Choir in 2007.
Collaborations with, among others, the Vienna Philharmonic Wind Ensemble, Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Lower Austrian Tonkünstler Orchestra, Orchestra Santa Cecilia die Roma, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Slovenian Philharmonic Ljubljana, Budapest Radio Orchestra, Latvian Symphony Orchestra, RIAS Chamber Choir Berlin, Berlin Radio Choir, MDR Choir Leipzig, and WDR Choir Cologne. Numerous concert tours throughout Europe, Russia, Israel, and the USA.
Since 2001, Herbert Böck has been a congenial conductor for the Salzburg Advent Singing, who values and respects folk music as a basis and for whom working with choirs is a much-loved task.
Gerda Gratzer
Gerda Gratzer made her debut as a theater director at the Salzburg Advent Singing in 2022. The sensitive artist grew up in Carinthia and studied musicology, ethnology, cultural management, and acting in Graz and Salzburg.
She was artistic director of the Millstatt International Music Weeks, managing director of the Prima la Musica youth music competition in Salzburg, and finally devoted herself entirely to the theater. She founded the Theater Panoptikum and the Theater der Freien Elemente, worked as an actress for many years, and staged more than 30 plays as a director (“Three Times Life” by Yasmina Reza, “Der thermale Widerstand” by Ferdinand Schmalz, “Glück” by Kateřina Černá, “Eight Women” by Robert Thomas, “Die Wunderübung” by Daniel Glattauer, and many more).
Gerda Gratzer leads seminars on acting and directing and is also a systemic psychotherapist in her own practice.
Brigitte Schiebler
Brigitte Schiebler
Before becoming self-employed, master tailor Brigitte Schiebler worked for many years as a professional for the Salzburg Festival. In her studio, the creative design, cutting, and pattern director produces enchanting, one-of-a-kind textiles such as business outfits, bridal and evening wear, dirndl dresses, custom-made shirts, and interior decorations. The Salzburg native also creates exclusive costumes for international fashion shows and provides expertise as an appraiser and textile expert.
Brigitte Schiebler loves enchanting things, including the challenge she has been given to design a distinctive and fascinating costume for the new production of the Salzburg Advent Singing and to craft it with artisanal skill.
www.zauberhaft-salzburg.com
Makeup:
Nicole Klingseisen
Elena Schachl
Andreas Ivancsics
is a freelance video artist and stage designer. After training as a sound engineer at SAE Vienna, he worked as head of the sound and video technology department at the Bühne Baden theater. There he met the stage designer of the Salzburg Advent Singing, Dietmar Solt, and a long-standing collaboration ensued.
Andreas’ artistic work has taken him to various theaters in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy, and even to the Royal Opera House Muscat in Oman. Premieres are planned for 2025 at the Seefestspiele Mörbisch, the Musicalsommer Amstetten, the Salzburger Landestheater, the Philharmonie Luxembourg, the Wiener Musikverein, and the Musikfestival Steyr.
Andreas Ivancsics was awarded the Austrian Music Theater Prize in 2018 for Axel an der Himmelstür at the Vienna Volksoper.
www.ivo-ton.com
Plant 2026
Contributor
People and their actors
Eva Maria Schinwald
made her stage debut in 2013 with the lead role in Adriaan de Wit’s contemporary opera “Die Kavalleristin” (The Cavalrywoman). In 2014, she was engaged for the first time as ‘Maria’ in the Salzburg Advent Singing “Der Sterngucker” (The Stargazer) at the Großes Festspielhaus/Salzburg. In 2017, she delighted audiences in the work “Der blinde Hirte” (The Blind Shepherd) as the soprano in the role of the angel. In 2021, Eva Maria Schinwald charmed audiences as an actress and soloist in the role of “Maria” at the anniversary Advent concert (without an audience due to COVID-19), appeared as ‘Maria’ in the work “Schnee in Bethlehem” in 2022, and also delighted audiences in this role in 2023.
Concert tours take the lyric soprano to Germany, the Hugo Wolf Festival in Slovenia, and London, where she sang J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion with the Salzburg Bach Society and the Baroque Orchestra of the Royal School of Music. She has also appeared in numerous stage productions at the Salzburg State Theater and the Salzburg Festival.
Eva Schinwald completed her master’s degree in singing at the Mozarteum Salzburg with distinction. She has attended international masterclasses with Horiana Branisteanu, Edda Moser, Helena Lazarska, Margreet Honig, Gerhard Kahry, and Wolfgang Holzmair.
www.evaschinwald.com
Johannes Forster (Bariton)
Johannes Forster (baritone)
The baritone studied singing with Albert Hartinger and John Thomasson at the Mozarteum in Salzburg.
He made his stage debut as a boy soprano at the tender age of 10 in the leading role of the children’s opera Pollicino, and later appeared at the festivals in La Bohème and Der Rosenkavalier. The world premiere of Arvo Pärt’s Vater unser was also one of his early engagements.
As a male voice, he found his way via the Salzburg male ensemble scene to the vocal ensemble Hohes C, which was crowned World Choir Champion in 2014 and is now also part of the Salzburg Advent Singing. Other ensembles include the Ruperti Viergesang, which focuses on folk music, and Lungo5, which performs in close harmony and barbershop style.
In the staged Salzburg Passion Singing, he took on the leading role of Dismas in 2019 and 2022, and from 2018 to 2024 he appeared as an actor and singer in the Shepherd’s Advent. As a soloist with the Salzburg Bach Choir, he sang under Howard Arman and in various festival productions. He can also be heard as a lieder singer, interpreting songs by Shane Woodborne and Franz Schubert together with Quadrophonie Salzburg.
The versatile singer moves from Renaissance and Baroque music to Romantic songs and contemporary atonal music, to jazz, pop, and musicals. He shares his knowledge as a vocal coach and choir director at Musikum Salzburg and numerous choirs.
Masterclasses have brought him into contact with artists such as Wolfgang Holzmair, Sascha Wienhausen, and The King’s Singers.
Elisabeth Eder-Marböck (Soprano)
Elisabeth Eder, a native of Salzburg, is a soprano, harpist, musicologist, and teacher who grew up in Großarl in the Pongau region. She has been performing the role of the angel as a soprano soloist since 2018.
She completed her artistic, pedagogical, scientific, and music physiological training (concert performance, IGP studies, teaching, music physiology, university didactics, PhD studies) at the Mozarteum University Salzburg, Paris Lodron University Salzburg, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, and the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (all eight degrees and academic qualifications with distinction, as well as two university courses). She received the Award of Excellence 2022 (state prize for the best doctoral theses in Austria) for her doctoral thesis. In November 2023, on the occasion of her doctorate sub auspiciis at the Mozarteum University, she was awarded the Ring of Honor of the Republic of Austria by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen.
Elisabeth Eder teaches singing and educational science courses at the Mozarteum University Salzburg. Artistically, she demonstrates her versatility as a soloist, chamber musician, and with various orchestras and choirs at the national and international level. As a soprano soloist, she performs regularly at Salzburg Cathedral and in various concert and opera projects. As a harpist, she plays regularly at the Salzburg Philharmonic, has won first prizes at international and national competitions, and has played with many renowned orchestras at home and abroad, such as the London Symphony Orchestra under Sir Simon Rattle. Concert tours have taken her to the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Barbican Hall London, the opera houses of Verona and Milan, the St. Petersburg State Academic Capella, and many other venues.
Website: www.elisabeth-eder.at
www.elisabeth-eder.at
Edwin Hochmuth
Edwin Hochmuth, a certified social worker and Tyrolean actor, completed his acting training in 2006 at the Sachers Acting School in Innsbruck. Since then, he has appeared on many stages. Important milestones include the Tyrolean State Theater, the Kellertheater in Innsbruck, the Theater in Effingerstraße in Bern, the Tyrolean Folk Theater in Telfs, and many more. He has also appeared in various TV and film productions. In addition to his passion for acting, Edwin also works as a social worker at the Axams State Children’s Home.
Since August 2023, he has been directing the Tyrolean theater festival “Stummer Schrei” (Silent Cry).
Hochmuth made his first appearance at the Salzburg Advent Singing in 2012. In 2018, he was hired for the role of the shepherd Jaggerl. Since then, he has been traveling with the shepherd children every year at the Salzburg Advent Singing. He and the children enjoy working together so much that he always looks forward to coming back to Salzburg.
http://www.edwin-hochmuth.at
Marcella Wieland
Her passion for theater was ignited in 2012 by the Lungau Cultural Association’s “Theater Mokrit.” Since then, she has appeared in many productions such as Tannöd, Ein Jedermann, 8 Frauen, and many more. The actress made her debut at the Salzburg Advent Singing in 2023 in the role of Maria’s mother Anna. This time, she will embody a completely different role as a landlady.
She has been on stage with the ensemble for puppet and children’s theater since 2018 and tours throughout Austria with changing productions. Theater Mokrit and the Lungau Cultural Association around Robert Wimmer have always promoted and supported her passion for theater. The cultural association is her valuable source of inspiration and employer. Marcella Wieland will complete her training as a theater educator in Innsbruck in the spring of 2023.
Marcella Wieland began her professional career as a family helper, a position she held for many years. She then passed the exam to become a naturopath in Munich. After spending time in South Africa and the city of Salzburg, she moved to Lungau in Salzburg in 2008. She runs a practice in Unternberg and, in addition to individual coaching, offers the workshop “Mentoring for Women,” which she also holds regularly in the city of Salzburg.
Salzburger Hirtenkinder 2025
Valentin Aster (Trompete)
Lisa Brunauer (Querflöte)
Marina Buchstätter (Querflöte)
Hannah Marie Fuchs (Geige)
Marlene Fuchsberger (Hackbrett)
Philomena Greinz (Hackbrett)
Lara Illek (Blockflöte)
Lea Kniewasser (Klarinette)
Valentina Költringer (Geige)
Matthias Leymüller (Kontrabass)
Niklas Mischkulnig (Geige)
Jana Neuherz (Querflöte)
Barbara Neureiter (Blockflöte)
Sophia Rosenberger (Geige)
Mateo Schauer-Prenninger (Harmonika)
Luis Schinagl (Trompete)
Philipp Stadler (Harmonika)
v. l.: Markus Helminger, Gerda Gratzer, Elena Seywald, Gudrun Köhl-Korbuly, Hans Köhl
Vocal ensembles
The Salzburg Folk Song Choir
80 singers
Rehearsal and direction: Martin Fuchsberger
The Salzburg Folk Song Choir has been an important pillar of the Salzburg Advent Singing since 1950. Generations of outstanding singers have testified to the high vocal quality of this traditional ensemble.
From 1950 to 2025, the choir has been conducted by three generations of the Dengg family: Sepp Dengg, Harald Dengg, and Burgi Vötterl. In 2025, Martin Fuchsberger will take over as artistic director, marking the beginning of a new era. Since 2007, the organizational management has been in the capable hands of Berta Wagner.
Under the Advent singing baton of Herbert Böck (since 2001), this choir community of around 80 members blossoms into a very special form of excellence every year in the Großes Festspielhaus.
www.salzburgervolksliedchor.at
From left: Elija Sticker (tenor), conductor: Bernhard Ainz (baritone), Tobias Kremshuber (tenor), Valentin Stemeseder (bass), Johannes Schmidhuber (tenor)
VOCAL ENSEMBLE HOHES C (quartet)
Once again this year, the vocal ensemble Hohes C will delight us at the Salzburg Advent Singing with a changing quartet line-up. The singers impress with their special sound spectrum, ranging from refined Renaissance works to folk music and “crisp” pop arrangements.
In recent years, concert tours have taken the ensemble to South Africa, Germany, Italy, Finland, Croatia, and Canada. At the world’s largest choir competition, the World Choir Games in Riga, the ensemble gave a thoroughly convincing performance in the Male Vocal Ensemble category and was crowned “WORLD CHOIR CHAMPION.” The ensemble was also awarded a gold medal (Musica Sacra acapella) and a silver medal (Folklore).
www.facebook.com/hohes-C-Vokalensemble
From left: Andrea Schwarz (soprano), conductor: Maria Brunauer (alto), Marlene Schuen (mezzo-soprano)
Maria Margarethe Brunauer
Raised on traditional Austrian folk music, the mezzo-soprano studied concert singing and vocal pedagogy at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Munich. Since graduating, she has worked as a freelance opera singer, teaches singing at the University of Augsburg, and is a member of the Bavarian Radio Concert Choir.
Photo: Holger Borggrefe
Andrea Lore Schwarz
Born in Salzburg, the mezzo-soprano completed her master’s degree in vocal pedagogy with a focus on choral conducting and her teacher training at the Mozarteum in 2022. Since 2014, she has been a member of the Salzburg Bach Choir and various other ensembles and regularly performs in concerts and opera productions at numerous cultural events. She currently teaches at the Sport- und Musik RG in Salzburg, works as a voice coach for the Salzburg Choir Association, and regularly performs as a soloist at concerts and events.
Photo: private
Marlene Schuen
Marlene Schuen
The singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer was born in the Ladin Dolomites, went to Innsbruck and Munich to study, and now lives in Munich again after spending some time in Berlin. After international concert tours with various artists, including Hubert von Goisern, she founded her own band, Ganes. She is also part of a new project with Marc Romboy and Dimitri Andreas and is involved in studio recordings for numerous artists.
Photo: Rahwa Seyum
Orchestra
v. l.: Ingeborg Weber (Harfe)
Elisabeth Neureiter (Hackbrett)
Ltg.: Reinhold Schmid (Gitarre)
Elisabeth Weber (Orgelportativ, Gitarre)
Magdalena Kufer (Kontrabass)
Johannes Rohrer (Zither)
v. l.: Timea Laczkò-Tòth (Cello)
Andrea Brucker, (Bratsche)
Ltg. Maria Dengg (Geige)
Burgi Vötterl (Geige)
Gundl Aggermann (Flöte)
Magdalena Kufer (Kontrabass)
v.l. Erwin Wendl (Posaune)
Hans Gerl (Horn)
Christina Eberl (Trompete; Flügelhorn)
Christian Sperl (Horn)
Lg: Horst Hofer (Trompete, Flügelhorn)
Thomas Höger (Posaune)
v.l.n.r.:
Anton Gmachl (Klarinette)
Gundl Aggermann (Flöte)
Lg: Gottfried Linsinger (Oboe, Englischhorn)
Gerti Hollweger (Fagott)
Technology & equipment
Lg: Hubert Schwaiger
Licht-Inspizienz: Thomas Herbst
Hans Köhl
Gerda Gratzer
Hubert Schwaiger
Lg: Edwin Pfanzagl-Cardone
Richard Deutsch
Lg: Georg Schlager
Alfred Laserer, Gosau
Ticket service & Administration
Das Ticketservice-Team
led by Gertraud Ainz does a fantastic job every year. Always polite and courteous, they strive to fulfill all the wishes of the approximately 36,000 visitors who attend the Advent singing event each year. A recent visitor survey attests to the ticket service team’s extremely high satisfaction ratings!
From left to right: Gertraud Ainz, Regina Strübler
Stefan Sperr
is responsible for accounting, controlling, and IT matters. His decades of experience in charge of this important administrative area and his financial expertise are of particular value to the Salzburg Advent Singing.
Hans Köhl
has been the artistic director of the Salzburg Advent Singing since the turn of the millennium. As the managing director of the organizer “Kulturwerk Salzburg,” he is responsible for coordinating all aspects of this successful cultural event.
Residenzplatz 9
A – 5010 Salzburg