17.08.2025

JULIAN PRÉGARDIEN | Mozart at the Salzburg Festival

This August Julian Prégardien returns to the Salzburg Festival – as Gomatz in the unique production Zaide or The Way of Light. Under the musical direction of Raphaël Pichon and his ensemble Pygmalion, the programme will feature a mosaic of Mozart works: the unfinished Singspiel Zaide, the cantata Davide penitente, scenes from Thamos, King of Egypt, and selected concert arias.

Prégardien, celebrated for his clear, lyrical tenor voice and precise textual interpretation, is considered one of the leading lied singers and Mozart interpreters of his generation. In the role of Gomatz, he combines heartfelt emotionality with intellectual insight – qualities that set him apart. With his interpretations, he manages to combine dramatic tension with chamber music sensibility.

The Salzburg production, staged as ‘Weg des Lichts’ (Path of Light), is not just an opera performance, but a philosophical musical theatre piece that focuses on humanistic ideals and existential questions. Alongside Prégardien, Sabine Devieilhe, Lea Desandre, Daniel Behle and Johannes Martin Kränzle will be on stage at the Felsenreitschule. On three evenings – 17, 19 and 22 August – Prégardien, with his unmistakable voice and charismatic stage presence, will breathe new life into this rarely performed work alongside this fantastic cast.

Cast:

Sabine Devieilhe, Zaide
Lea Desandre, Persada
Julian Prégardien, Gomatz
Daniel Behle, Soliman
Johannes Martin Kränzle, Allazim

Pygmalion Choir & Orchestra
Raphaël Pichon, concept and director
Bertrand Couderc, lighting
Eddy Garaudel, dramaturg