The Mozarteum Foundation has announced that the cancelation of Salzburg Mozart Week in 2022.

The famed festival was set to kick off on Jan. 27 and run through Feb. 6, 2022. However, due to the rising numbers of COVID-19, the organization felt that it was necessary to take this step.

“The situation in Salzburg has deteriorated dramatically, and according to the relevant authorities, no improvement is to be expected. We have done our utmost, but in view of this assessment it would be unacceptable for all concerned to hold the 2022 Mozart Week. The health and safety of our performers, our employees and our audiences has to take priority“, Artistic Director Rolando Villazón said in an official press statement. “With unutterably heavy hearts, we are therefore compelled by the pandemic to cancel the 2022 Mozart Week entirely.“

The organization further noted that the long preparation process and the unavailability of major performers made it impossible to simply postpone the event.