Opera Camps

at the Salzburg Festival

Opera Camps at the Salzburg Festival

In cooperation with the Salzburg Festival and the Salzburg Foundation of the American Austrian Foundation (AAF)

During the Opera Camps, music-loving children and teenagers aged 9 to 17 become immersed in the world of opera and spend a week at Schloss Arenberg together with artists and experienced teaching professionals. Here they engage with material from great operas and conclude the week by performing their own interpretations of the works, assisted by members of the Vienna Philharmonic, in front of an audience.

The Opera Camps began in 2006 with the Magic Flute Camp. Since then, passwort:klassik has prepared more than 35 operas from different musical eras, such as Baroque, Classical, Romantique, Modern and Contemporary operas for the participants of the camps.

The experiences with musical theater and the interpersonal encounters that the camps provide represent a highlight of the children's summer vacation. This also lays the foundation for a love of musical theatre.

Conception and Lead: Hanne Muthspiel-Payer

Registration for the Opera Camps 2026 will open on 5th December 2025.

The number of places is limited. Applicants will be informed whether they have a place by the beginning of March 2026. Applications for the Opera Camps can only be submitted using our online application form. Written applications or applications made over the phone cannot be accepted.

The participation fee includes workshops, a rehearsal visit, room and board and leisure-time activities. Residency at Schloss Arenberg is required for participation. Bursaries are available for participants from low-income families.

Accommodation: Schloss Arenberg · Arenbergstrasse 10 · 5020 Salzburg

Registration by SUN, 1st February 2026, 1pm on the Opera Camps page of the Salzburg Festival website

Opera Camps 2026

Sunday, July 19 - Saturday, July 25, 2026

Opera Camp – Saint François d’Assise

Based on the opera Saint François d’Assise by Olivier Messiaen

For teenagers aged 15 to 17
Camp languages: German, English
Fees: € 515,– each (siblings pay each € 495,–)

Public Performance
SA, July 25, 4:00 PM
UNIVERSITÄT MOZARTEUM / MAX SCHLERETH-SAAL
Duration: approx. 50 minutes · Free Admission (Distribution of free online-tickets starting on 4 July, no reservation possible)

When Olivier Messiaen’s only opera, Saint François d’Assise, premiered in 1983, he called it a ‘musical spectacle‘. Across eight scenes, the work traces key moments from the life of Saint Francis and follows him on his spiritual path toward unity with God. Birds play a special role in this journey – as symbols of freedom, creation and the divine voice. A deeply devout man and lifelong admirer of birdsong, Messiaen wove their calls into his score, creating a sound world that seems to float between earth and heaven. Within the shimmering musical landscape of Saint François d’Assise, unusual rhythms and radiant colours burst into life. Drawing inspiration from these elements, the young people in this camp will weave in their own ideas to create entirely new musical and theatrical stories.

For young people from 15 to 17 years of age
Sunday, July 26 - Saturday, August 1, 2026

Opera Camp – Ariadne auf Naxos

Based on the opera Ariadne auf Naxos by Richard Strauss

For teenagers aged 13 to 16
Camp languages: German, English
Fees: € 515,– each (siblings pay each € 495,–)

Public performance
SA, August 1, 4:00 PM
UNIVERSITÄT MOZARTEUM / MAX SCHLERETH-SAAL
Duration: approx. 50 minutes · Free Admission (Distribution of free online-tickets starting on 4 July, no reservation possible)

Deep feeling meets playful humour in Ariadne auf Naxos, where Richard Strauss and Hugo von Hofmannsthal spin a tale of art, love and the magic of transformation. A wealthy patron makes an outrageous demand: stage a tragic opera about the abandoned Ariadne and a sparkling comedy about the carefree Zerbinetta – at the same time! This wild idea sparks a collision of longing and lightness, bringing together two worlds that couldn’t be more different. Through playing in the orchestra, singing and acting, the young participants will immerse themselves in the music and libretto, shaping their own take on the opera’s story.

For young people from 13 to 16 years of age
Sunday, August 2 - Saturday, August 8, 2026

Opera Camp – Così fan tutte

Based on the opera Così fan tutte by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

For children aged 9 to 12
Camp languages: German, English
Fees: € 515,– each (siblings pay each € 495,–)

Public performance
SA, August 8, 4:00 PM
UNIVERSITÄT MOZARTEUM / MAX SCHLERETH-SAAL
Duration: approx. 50 minutes · Free Admission (Distribution of free online-tickets starting on 4 July, no reservation possible)

Così fan tutte – an opera full of wit, confusion and emotional chaos. Two young men bet on their fiancées’ loyalty and decide to put them to the test. Amid a game of masks, costumes and low cunning, emotions begin to shift and harmless pranks give way to real hurt. Mozart’s music lets us glimpse behind the lovers’ fragile façades, revealing what they truly feel, and reminding us how much honesty and respect matter in relationships. Through singing, acting, playing and experimenting, the young participants will rise to the challenge of creating their own version of Mozart’s Così fan tutte.

For children from 9 to 12 years of age

Impressions 2025

OPERA CAMP - MACBETH about the opera Macbeth by Giuseppe Verdi for children aged 9 to 12

OPERA CAMP - MARIA STUARDA about the opera Maria Stuarda by Gaetano Donizetti for teenagers aged 13 to 16

OPERA CAMP - ERWARTUNG/ABSCHIED based on Arnold Schönberg's monodrama Erwartung and Gustav Mahler's Der Abschied from Das Lied von der Erde for teenagers aged 15 to 17

© Marco Borrelli

Opera Camps 2025

Impressions 2024

OPERA CAMP – CAPRICCIO about the opera Capriccio by Richard Strauss for young people from 13 to 16 years of age

OPERA CAMP – DER IDIOT about the opera Der Idiot by Mieczysław Weinberg for young people from 15 to 17 years of age

OPERA CAMP – HOFFMANNS ERZÄHLUNGEN about the opera Les Contes d’ Hoffmann by Jacques Offenbach for young people from 9 to 12 years of age

© Marco Borelli

Opera Camps 2024

Impressions 2023

JEDERMANN-CAMP about the play Jedermann by Hugo von Hofmannsthal for young people from 10 to 16 years of age

FIGARO-CAMP about the opera Le Nozze di Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart for young people from 15 to 17 years of age

ORFEO-CAMP about the opera Orfeo ed Euridice by Christoph Willibald Gluck for children & young people from 9 to 12 years of age

FALSTAFF-CAMP about the opera Falstaff by Giuseppe Verdi for young people from 13 to 16 years of age

Opera Camps 2023

Impressions 2022

Everyman Camp about the play Everyman by Hugo von Hofmannsthal for young people from 10 to 15 years of age

Magic Flute Camp about the musical play The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart for children from 9 to 12 years of age

Kát'a Kabanová-Camp about the opera Kát'a Kabanová by Leoš Janáček for young people from 15 to 17 years of age

Aida Camp about the opera Aida by Giuseppe Verdi for young people from 13 to 16 years of age

Opera Camps 2022

Impressions 2021

  • Jedermann-Camp about the play Jedermann by Hugo von Hofmannsthal for young people from 10 to 15 years of age
  • Così fan tutte-Camp about the opera Così fan tutte by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart for young people from 13 to 16 years of age
  • Intolleranza-Camp about the opera Intolleranza 1960 by Luigi Nono for young people from 15 to 18 years of age
  • Tosca-Camp about the opera Tosca by Giacomo Puccini for young people from 9 to 12 years of age
© Birgit Probst

Opera Camps 2021

Impressions 2019

  • Medea-Camp about the opera Médée by Luigi Cherubini for young people from 13 to 15 years of age
  • Orpheus-Camp about the opera Orphée by Jaques Offenbach for young people from 9 to 12 years of age
  • Ödipus-Camp about the opera Oper Oedipe by George Enescu for young people from 15 to 18 years of age
© Marco Borelli

Opera Camps 2019

Häufige Fragen

Häufige Fragen zu den Operncamps

  • Wie sind die Operncamps gestaltet?

    Pro Sommer finden drei bis vier verschiedene, einwöchige Operncamps statt, wobei jedes auf eine spezifische Altersgruppe ausgerichtet ist und eine andere Oper zum Thema hat. Die Teilnehmerinnen und das gesamte Team wohnen während der Woche in Schloss Arenberg, wo auch die Proben stattfinden.

  • Welche Voraussetzungen gelten für die Teilnahme?

    Es gibt kein Aufnahmeverfahren, die Beherrschung eines Instrumentes, die Freude am Singen oder an einer anderen künstlerischen Tätigkeit sind jedoch Voraussetzung. Aufgrund des großen Interesses können nicht immer alle Anmeldungen berücksichtigt werden.

  • Wie ist die Unterrichtssprache?

    Die TeilnehmerInnen sind international, die Unterrichtssprachen sind Deutsch und Englisch.

  • Wie sieht der Tagesablauf bei einem Operncamp in etwa aus?

    Vormittags und nachmittags finden parallel diverse Workshops und Proben statt, die von den TeilnehmerInnen wechselweise besucht werden. Die Mahlzeiten werden gemeinsam eingenommen, das abwechslungsreiche Abendprogramm besteht aus Spiel und Sport. Die Unterbringung ist in 2- bis 4-Bettzimmern.

  • Erhält mein Kind auch Einzelunterricht am Instrument?

    Die InstrumentalistInnen erhalten im Vorhinein Noten zum Üben, das Camp-Orchester wird von erfahrenen Dirigenten geleitet und von Mitgliedern der Wiener Philharmoniker unterstützt. Das gemeinsame Musizieren steht im Vordergrund, Einzelunterricht findet nicht statt.

  • Wie ist das Operncamp-Team zusammengesetzt?

    Es besteht aus dem künstlerisch-pädagogischen Team und dem Betreuer-Team, das sich um die TeilnehmerInnen während der Freizeit kümmert und Ansprechpartner für kleine und große Sorgen ist.

  • Wie viel kostet ein Operncamp?

    Kosten: € 515,- pro Person (Geschwister ab dem 2. Kind je € 495,-)

  • Werden Stipendien vergeben und was muss dafür eingereicht werden?

    Die Vergabe von Stipendien ist möglich, Grundlage ist der letzte Einkommenssteuerbescheid.

  • Wie lauten die Stornobedingungen?

    Im Falle einer Abmeldung wird die volle Teilnahmegebühr einbehalten, es sei denn, der Platz kann über die Warteliste nachbesetzt werden. In diesem Fall wird die Teilnahmegebühr bis auf eine Kommissionsgebühr von 20% zurückerstattet. Für den Weiterverkauf des Camp-Platzes übernehmen passwort:klassik und die Salzburger Festspiele keine Garantie.