Photo: Peter Rigaud

A reported shift in the leadership responsibilities of the Salzburg Festival has removed Festival President Kristina Hammer from dealing with the press and media.

After assuming Hammer’s responsibilities in these areas, Director Markus Hinterhäuser is now the Festival’s primary public representative.

Hammer will focus on external representation and sponsor search.

The move, however, is in keeping with the responsibilities of the previous directors. From 1992 to 2016, the role was already responsible for the supervision of the media.

Hinterhäuser’s power has increased, and there is concern regarding his support for Russian artists known for having close ties to the Putin regime.