Revival: Der alte Baum (The Old 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.

A co-production with the Salzburg International Foundation and the Salzburg Marionette Theatre in cooperation with the University for Music and Performing Arts Vienna