Peter de Caluwe named Salzburg Festival artistic director

Peter de Caluwe has been appointed as the new artistic director of the Salzburg Festival. The Belgian administrator, formerly the artistic director of Brussels’ La Monnaie, will begin a five-year term on October 1, 2027.

De Caluwe succeeds Markus Hinterhäuser, who left the position following a conflict with the festival’s curatorium. Before his official start, de Caluwe will begin preparatory work in October 2024, collaborating with interim artistic director Karin Bergmann.

Additionally, the Salzburg Festival Board of Directors has reappointed Kristina Hammer as president for a second five-year term, effective January 1, 2027. De Caluwe, known for his tenure at La Monnaie which included 23 world premieres, expressed a collaborative approach to the role, stating, “I’m a team player. I will be listening.”