"This was my first MRT tour and I was blown away by the brilliant execution. Immediately following completion of the tour, which I did alone, I registered my wife and me for the same tour next Spring. Thank you for the best nine days of my life."
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Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace.
Mozart in Salzburg - The annual winter festival
7
days
from
£4,970
ex flights
26th January 2026
- Daily attendance at the Mozartwoche, the annual festival celebrating the composer’s work in his natal city.
- Seven concerts performed by leading orchestras, chamber groups and soloists.
- The best-preserved Baroque city in northern Europe in a wonderful alpine setting.
- Five-star hotel close to the Mozarteum.
Salzburg is that rare thing, a tiny city with world-class standards in nearly everything the discerning visitor – and resident – would want. It is miraculous that such charm, and such grandeur, and, above all, such unparalleled weight of musical achievement, should be concentrated in so small a place.
A virtually independent city-state from its origins in the early Middle Ages until its absorption into the Habsburg Empire in the 19th century, Salzburg’s days of glory had all but slipped into the past by the time Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born there. He became the unwitting instigator, post-mortem, of Salzburg’s transformation from minor ecclesiastical seat to the world’s foremost city of music festivals – there are five of them. The Mozartwoche (Mozart Week) held in January every year celebrates Salzburg’s most famous son with musicians famed worldwide for their Mozart interpretations.
Our tour allows the concerts to be interspersed with a gentle programme of walks and visits to see some of the finest art and architecture in the city. But there is also plenty of free time to relax and gather energies for the performances, and for individual exploration.
The city has several fine museums, Mozart’s birthplace and later family home foremost among them. The DomQuartier complex is not to be missed, and includes the state rooms of the Residenz, an excellent picture gallery, the cathedral museum and that of St Peter; the cliff-top Museum of Contemporary Art has a café with peerless views over the city.
Itinerary
Fly at c. 8.45am from London Heathrow to Munich (British Airways). Drive through Bavaria to Austria (c. 2.5 hours). Arrive at the hotel in time to settle in before an introductory lecture and dinner.
Begin with an introductory walk through the heart of the old city with a local guide, including a church by the greatest master of Austrian Baroque, Fischer von Erlach, the late-Gothic Franciscan church and the mighty cathedral, the first major Baroque building north of the Alps. Mid-afternoon chamber concert at the Mozarteum with the Hagen Quartet: Mozart, String quartet No. 21 in D major, K.575 ‘Prussian No. 1’; String quartet No. 22 in B-flat major, K.589 ‘Prussian No. 2’; String quartet No. 23 in F major, K.590 ‘Prussian No. 3’.
A second guided walk includes a visit to the 18th-century Mirabell Gardens. Spend the afternoon visiting the former Mozart birth place. Evening concert at the Großes Festspielhaus with the Vienna Philharmonic, Robin Ticciati (cond.), Magdalena Kožená (mezzo-soprano), Daniel Ottensamer (clarinet): Gluck, Overture to Alceste, Wq. 44; Mozart, Clarinet Concerto in A major, K.622; Berlioz, Les nuits d’été, Op. 7; Mozart, Symphony No. 39 in E-flat major, K.543.
Morning concert at the Mozarteum, ‘Salzburg, mon amour’ with the Academy Orchestra of the Salzburg Mozarteum University, Ion Martin (cond.): Mozart, Symphony No. 32 in G Major, K.318; Symphony No. 33 in B-flat major, K.319; Serenade No. 9 in D Major, K.230 ‘Posthorn’. Break for some free time. Early dinner is followed by an evening concert at the Mozarteum, ‘Requiem Æternam’ with Ensemble L’Arpeggiata, Capella Cracoviensis, Christina Pluhar (cond.), Emőke Baráth (soprano), Philippe Jaroussky (alto), Zachary Wilder (tenor), Dingle Yandell (bass): Pergolesi, Stabat Mater in F minor, P. 77; Mozart, Requiem in D minor, K.626.
Begin with a private guided tour of the Mozarteum’s Autograph Vault, containing original letters and manuscripts. Followed by a visit to the former Mozart family home. Participate in an optional visit to the Museum der Moderne with stunning views of Salzburg, or enjoy a free afternoon for independent exploration. Evening opera at the Haus für Mozart with Rolando Villazón (dir.), Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg, Vienna Philharmonia Chorus, Roberto González-Monjas (cond.): Mozart, ‘The Magic Flute’, K.620.
Morning concert at the Mozarteum ‘Saitenspiele’ with Camerata Salzburg, Gregory Ahss (concertmaster and cond.), Xavier de Maistre (harp), Avi Avital (mandolin): Dittersdorf, Symphony No. 3 in G major, ‘The Metamorphosis of Acteon into a Stag’; Handel, Harp Concerto in B-flat, op. 4/6, HWV 294, Organ Concert in F-flat, op. 4/5, HWV 293; Paisiello, Concerto for mandolin, strings and basso continuo in E-flat major; Mozart, Overture to ‘Mitridate, re di Ponto’, K.87; Haydn, Concerto for violin and harpsichord in F major, Hob. XVIII:6 (arr. Avi Avital). Break for some free time. Final dinner is followed by an evening concert at the Große Festspielhaus with the Vienna Philharmonic, Adam Fischer (cond.), Igor Levit (piano): Mozart, Symphony No. 1 in E-flat major, K.16; Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K.467; Haydn, Symphony No. 96 in D major, Hob. I:96 ‘Miracle’; Mozart, Symphony No. 41 in C major, K.551, ‘Jupiter’.
Fly from Salzburg to London Gatwick, arriving at c. 12 noon.
Expert speaker
Mr Richard Wigmore
Music writer, lecturer and broadcaster for BBC Radio 3. He writes for BBC Music Magazine and Gramophone and has taught classes in Lieder history and interpretation at the Guildhall, Trinity College of Music and Birkbeck College. He read French and German at Cambridge and later studied Music at the Guildhall. His publications include Schubert: The Complete Song Texts and Pocket Guide to Haydn. Twitter: @wigmoresworld | Website: wigmoresworld.co.uk
More tours led by Mr Richard Wigmore
Practicalities
Two sharing: £5,210 or £4,970 without flights. Single occupancy: £5,850 or £5,610 without flights.
Air travel (Euro Traveller) with British Airways (Airbus A320); accommodation as described below; breakfasts, and 5 dinners with wine; private coach for the airport transfers; all admissions to museums; tips for waiters, drivers and local guides; all state and airport taxes; the services of the lecturer and tour manager.
Please note, this tour departs from London Heathrow Airport and returns to London Gatwick Airport.
Music: first category tickets to 3 performances and second category tickets to 4 performances are included, costing c. £1,045.
Hotel Bristol, Salzburg: 5-star family-run hotel, excellently located two minutes’ walk from the Mozarteum and just across the river from the Festspielhaus (600 metres). Single rooms are doubles for sole use.
There is a moderate amount of walking within the old town centre where vehicular access is restricted. The tour is planned on the expectation that participants walk to and from the concert venues.
Between 10 and 24 participants.
Before booking, please refer to the FCDO website to ensure you are happy with the travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting.
Dates & prices
2026
Date
Speaker
Price
Date:
26th January - 1st February 2026
Speaker:
Mr Richard Wigmore
Price:
£4,970 ex flights
£5,210 inc flights
(Based on two sharing)Testimonials
“This was for me the best Martin Randall Tour, and that’s saying a lot.
”
“The balance of sightseeing and concerts was well thought out, and made for an educational and entertaining experience that was rich and satisfying.
”
“Richard did a wonderful job of preparing us for the concerts. He was interesting and enjoyable company.
”
“Richard Wigmore transformed the experience for me – giving depth to my shallow knowledge. There was no musical subject on which he was unable to converse; he made his expertise accessible with enormous fluency and enthusiasm. His lectures flashed by, full of insights and jokes in equal measure. He was always friendly, cheerful and approachable.
”
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