Max Reinhardt in Salzburg
Master of the stage arts in Vienna and Berlin
Max Reinhardt, a master of the stage arts, has gone down in history as one of the most influential theater directors. His artistic roots lie in the diverse theaters of Vienna, where he refined his craft as an actor before devoting himself to directing. Reinhardt's name is inextricably linked to the famous Josefstadt Theater, where his innovative productions shaped the reputation of the Viennese cultural scene. His director's books served as blueprints for numerous legendary performances and set standards in the field of directing.
He left his mark not only in Austria but also in Berlin, for example, at Schiffbauerdamm and the Kammerspiele, whose ensembles and repertoire he played a crucial role in shaping. Personalities such as actress Helene Thimig and the producer Hugo Goldmann were shaped by their collaboration with Reinhardt. His leadership and vision for the theater were groundbreaking and contributed to him being remembered as one of the great Austrian pioneers of modern theater.
Moving to Schloss Leopoldskron
In 1918, the Schloss, which by that time had fallen into a state of severe disrepair, was sold to Max Reinhardt, Europe’s most famous theater director and co-founder of the Salzburg Festival. Reinhardt committed his considerable creative talents to the restoration of the Schloss, and with the assistance of Salzburg artisans, he renovated the staircase, the Great Hall, and the Marble Hall.
The Library and the Venetian Salon are Reinhardt creations, as are decorations in other salons. Max Reinhardt brought life to Schloss Leopoldskron in literal terms, with his theater productions, audiences, and many friends.
Theater in the Schloss and the Lake
In the plays, Reinhardt made use of the entire Schloss by moving audiences from room to room, which were used as sets in and of themselves. He constructed a garden theater, with the lake and the Untersberg as backdrop, in what is now the Schloss Park. During the Reinhardt years, Schloss Leopoldskron was an important gathering place for theatrical producers, writers, composers, actors, and designers from both Europe and abroad.
A Co-Founder of the Salzburg Festival
Together with Hugo von Hofmannsthal and Richard Strauss, Max Reinhardt founded the Salzburg Festival at Schloss Leopoldskron. Reinhardt recognized the potential of the city of Salzburg as a perfect setting for cultural events and was instrumental in the idea of establishing a festival that would highlight the works of Mozart and the beauty of the city.
In 1920, Reinhardt performed Hugo von Hofmannsthal's "Jedermann" for the first time on the Cathedral Square in Salzburg, a piece performed annually since then as part of the festival that has become one of its most well-known traditions. This performance marked the beginning of the Salzburg Festival. Reinhardt's vision, creativity, and use of modern theatrical methods helped make the festival one of the world's most significant and prestigious cultural events.
His influence on the Salzburg Festival can still be felt today, not only through the continuous performance of "Jedermann" but also through the promotion of a vast repertoire of theater, opera, and concert performances. Reinhardt's work has left a lasting mark not only on Salzburg's cultural landscape but also on the international theater world.
Confiscation of the Schloss and the End of the Reinhardt Era
World War II brought an end to the Reinhardt era in Salzburg: In 1938, the Schloss was confiscated by the Nazi government as “Jewish property.” Reinhardt, who was living and working in Hollywood at the time, never returned to Leopoldskron, but his heart never left. Max Reinhardt died in New York City in 1943. Prior to his death he wrote to his wife, the Austrian actress Helene Thimig:
"I have lived in Leopoldskron for eighteen years, truly lived, and I have brought it to life. I have lived every room, every table, every chair, every light, and every picture. I have built, designed, decorated, planted and I have dreamt of it when I was not there. I have always loved it in a festive way, not as something ordinary. Those were my most beautiful, prolific and mature years ... I have lost it without lamenting. I have lost everything that I carried into it. It was the harvest of my life’s work."