Revered artists from the worlds of opera, drama and music unite every summer in Austria to perform in the iconic Salzburg Festival. With an extensive musical programme featuring extraordinary artists and ensembles, the festival is one of the highlights of the international cultural calendar.

As a Main Sponsor of the Salzburg Festival since 2012, Rolex continues to support the arts on a global scale, recognizing the value of the world’s musical legacy and dedicated to maintaining it for future generations. Through the Perpetual Arts Initiative, Rolex celebrates outstanding musicians while supporting internationally renowned institutions and promotes music through prestigious festivals and orchestras, shaping the future of their disciplines.

Taking place in Mozart’s birthplace over six weeks during July and August, the Salzburg Festival features more than 170 classical and contemporary performances, including operas, drama and concerts for visitors from more than 80 countries. It is also renowned for introducing new works to the world of classical music.

Audiences can enjoy a remarkable selection of performances amidst the unique surroundings of the Baroque old city centre and at iconic venues, including the striking Hofstallgasse, during this year’s event, taking place from 17 July to 30 August.

Rolex is proud to support the Salzburg Festival, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to artistic excellence and to the performing arts. Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading celebrations of music,opera and drama, the Festival brings together some of the greatest talents of the international music scene, including several artists and partners who are part of the Rolex family.

Among them is virtuoso pianist Yuja Wang, a Rolex Testimonee since 2009, renowned for her technical brilliance, emotional depth and captivating stage presence, who will perform on 14 August. The Vienna Philharmonic, one of the world’s most revered orchestras and an Exclusive Partner of Rolex since 2008, will also appear at the Festival on several occasions, including on 25 and 27 July under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel.

The Festival will also feature mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, a Rolex Testimonee since 1994, celebrated for her exceptional vocal technique and magnetic stage presence. Other Rolex Testimonees present at the Festival include violinist Renaud Capuçon, opera singer Benjamin Bernheim, tenor Juan Diego Flórez and conductor Gustavo Dudamel, reflecting the brand’s enduring ties with some of the most distinguished artists of our time.

Recognizing the importance of passing musical knowledge from one generation to the next, Rolex supports a variety of educational programmes and initiatives that help young artists develop their talent and gain international visibility. In this spirit, the brand has supported the Herbert von Karajan Young Conductors Award, one of the world’s most important conducting competitions, since 2021.

This year, German conductor Christian Blex, winner of the Award, will lead the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra during the renowned Award Winners’ Concert, taking place on 17 August. Held within the framework of the Salzburg Festival, the concert offers an important platform for the next generation of musicians to be seen and heard on the world stage.

Since 1920, the Salzburg Festival has established itself as a leading event for opera, drama and music. As an organization dedicated to recognizing and upholding excellence across these disciplines, Rolex’s partnership with the festival celebrates both classical and contemporary performers, bringing the very best of music to the Alpine city and to an international audience.