Peter de Caluwe appointed artistic director of Salzburg Festival

The Salzburg Festival board has appointed Belgian dramaturge and cultural manager Peter de Caluwe as the new artistic director. De Caluwe will succeed interim director Karin Bergmann, who had been managing the festival following the leave of Markus Hinterhäuser.

This decision follows the reported failure of negotiations regarding a proposed dual leadership consisting of director Barrie Kosky and Amsterdam Opera director Sophie de Lint. De Caluwe, who served as general director of the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels from 2007 to 2025, is expected to take over the role on October 1, 2027.

Additionally, the board has extended the contract of Kristina Hammer as the president of the festival. The selection process involved 48 applicants for the directorate and presidency positions.