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Program of 2025 "The Blind Shepherd"

This time, the barren Dachstein massif, which is climatically comparable to the biblical mountains of Judea, forms the backdrop for the Salzburg Advent Singing. The "Blind Shepherd" and his companions span a dramatic arc to the Advent events around Mary and Joseph. With his sharpended senses he perceives so much more than the sighted people around him, and - he sees well above all with his heart. This profound sensory perception was not only captured by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in "The Little Prince", but also in Greek mythology similar insights were already attributed to the blind shepherd Teiresias. During an encounter with Mary and Joseph, he grasps with his sharpened senses the birth of the Rendeemer prophesied by Isaiah. The Advent events take their course ...

With this Advent singing, which I am working on together with the composer Shane Woodborne, the biblical events are transferred to tour alpine landscape, similar to what tue numerous nativity scene builders and figure carvers have been cultivating for centuries in their typical regional representations. The actors around Mary and Joseph will once again all represent a characteristic personality - from the angel who holds his protective hand over everyone, the shepherds amazed by the events and on to the hard-hearted innkeeper. In the end, little Peter will surprise the blind shepherd with an almost unbelievable story!

With beautiful musical and vocal performances by the Salzburg String Music Ensemble, the Salzburg Violin Music, the Ensemble Juvavum Brass, the Salzburg Brass Ensemble, the soloists, the vocal ensemble Hohes C and CMM, the Salzburg Folk Song Choir and the Salzburg Shepherd Children, this Advent singing will once again be an unforgettable experience. We look forward to meeting you here!

Hans Köhl, General Manager, Book, Program