Or: Franzi's Journey to the End of the World – Mozart Week 2026
For the girl Franzi, trees are not a waste of space, but powerful creatures that must be preserved and propagated. Encouraged by her friend Moo and like-minded people, she sets off on a great adventure to the end of the world to make a big contribution – with the help of a very special tree.
A musical puppet adventure in three acts with the best of the best that Mozart has to offer!
Based on contemporary and socially relevant topics (environment, urbanisation), a new production was created as part of Mozart Week 2023 in collaboration with the Austrian singer and director Paul Schweinester: The Old Tree – Or: Franzi's Journey to the End of the World. The completely new story, presented as a musical pasticcio or Singspiel, is enriched with arrangements of Mozart’s music by the renowned Austrian violinist and composer Tscho Theissing. When the production returns as part of Mozart Week 2026, performances will be accompanied live by a young team of singers and musicians from the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna.
The conception of the story took place in close dialogue between director Paul Schweinester and the Artistic Director of the Salzburg Marionette Theatre, Philippe Brunner. Their work was supported by the valuable input in terms of content and language of the dramaturg and author Susanne Wolf.
For the first time, the design of the marionettes, all costume designs as well as the development of the set were created entirely by three members of the Salzburg Marionette Theatre, who put all their experience into the creation of this new work.
An evening for adults and children; a topic that accompanies us across generations – in an imaginative, adventurous and charming performance by the Salzburg Marionette Theatre.
Following performances during Mozart Week 2026, the theatre will take Der alte Baum on tour, first to Das MuTh in Vienna (10–11 February 2026) and then to the Kultursaal in Eppan (27–28 March 2026).
Conception, Staging and Tenor: Paul SchweinesterMusical arrangements and Musical direction: Tscho TheissingConception and Dramaturgy: Philippe Brunner
Puppet's heads: Vladimir FediakovCostumes: Edouard FunckSet design: Emanuel Paulus
Soprano: Anija LombardBaritone: Brett Pruunsild
Die Wiener TheatermusikerViolin: Bettina GradingerAccordion: Maria Reiter
Students of the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
Ensemble of the Salzburg Marionette Theatre
A co-production with the Salzburg International Foundation and the Salzburg Marionette Theatre in cooperation with the University for Music and Performing Arts Vienna
For adults and children from 8 years
In German with German and English panel texts
Tickets available at the ticket office of the Mozarteum Foundation Salzburg
T. +43-662-87 31 54, tickets@mozarteum.at or online:
Following the premiere of The Old Tree – or: Franzi's Journey to the End of the World on 24 January, there will be a party: DJ Schönhart will be spinning tunes in the foyer of the Marionette Theatre from 8 p.m. until midnight. Tickets are available in advance at our theatre box office or on the day of the event from 8 p.m. at the box office. If you have a ticket for the performance, you can attend free of charge.
The event is being held in cooperation with the Salzburg Club Commission and the Vluid Agency.