Bad Ischl/Austria

The Austrian town Bad Ischl, nestled between the Ischl and Traun rivers is situated in the breathtaking landscape of the Salzkammergut. As in the past, it is still an important European centre of the cultural heritage of Operetta. The Kaiservilla, built in Bad Ischl, was the summer residence of the Austrian- Hungarian Emperor Franz-Josef and members of his court. During this time artists and intellectuals of the Monarchy would meet there to decide on the course of the following theatrical seasons. Amongst many famous operetta composers and librettists, Franz Lehár also spent his summers there. The summer festival, Lehár Festival Bad Ischl (founded with the former name “Operettenfestspiele Bad Ischl”) in 1961, is an important partner to the JUMUM project.

The historical Town Museum, the Lehárvilla (the former residence of Franz Lehár) and the historic Pump Room (Trinkhalle - presently a modern exhibition hall) will cooperate in the JUMUM exhibition “OPERETTA!” The cultural association Kulturplattform Bad Ischl will take part in the coordination of the numerous JUMUM activities within the town. It hosts an international Young Composers Academy, with composers from Austria, Slovenia and Germany. The world premiere of the ensuing compositions and the opening of the exhibition will take place at the JUMUM festival at the end of July 2011.

The municipality of Bad Ischl will coordinate the project.