This Year's Audi Night: An Opera Performance and After-Party

Salzburg, Austria. A small, beautiful city steeped in history. This is evident from its UNESCO World Heritage status, with the historic old town and its buildings inscribed as the 'Historic Centre of the City of Salzburg' in 1996.

Held annually during the summer season, the Salzburg Festival is a renowned event in this city, famously the birthplace of classical music giant Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The festival commemorates his legacy, attracting world-class orchestras, conductors, and soloists. It is also celebrated for its rich theatrical and operatic offerings, creating a formal, prestigious, and globally recognized musical gathering.

Audi has been the main sponsor of the Salzburg Festival for over 15 years, fostering a mutually beneficial and fruitful relationship. This year, too, Audi proudly continues its sponsorship. The festival's unique atmosphere stems from its long history, high quality, and innovative vision—qualities that perfectly align with Audi's own ethos. This shared spirit is the very reason for Audi's enduring sponsorship.

Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management at Audi AG, stated:

“Art and culture enrich individual lives.—This also applies to Audi employees. With 'Vorsprung durch Technik' as our brand slogan, Audi, like those involved in the arts and culture, relies on creativity.”

When a company supports cultural activities, the quality of those activities and their international recognition are paramount. Equally important is the opportunity for the company's employees to engage with the supported cultural initiatives, whether they are new or established projects.

Audi's focus in cultural support lies primarily in classical music, particularly its sponsorship of music festivals. As a global corporation, Audi believes in its responsibility to contribute to society.

The Salzburg Festival, a global celebration of music and drama, and Audi are an ideal match, given their shared commitment to quality and innovation. The festival attracts the world's foremost artists while also presenting daring, unconventional performances. It was within this vibrant context that 'Audi Night' began in 2006 as a highlight of the Salzburg Festival.

The Bliss of Audi Night in Mozart's Birthplace

Every year, Audi invites over 200 distinguished guests, including clients and media representatives from around the world, to Audi Night. This premium event, initiated in 2006, has become a signature highlight of the Salzburg Festival. Audi Night commenced in a formal, black-tie atmosphere at the 'Felsenreitschule'.

The evening began with a cocktail reception, followed by this year's opera, 'The Magic Flute.' The three-and-a-half-hour performance, accompanied by a live orchestra and including an intermission, concluded close to 11:00 PM. While one might expect a classical rendition, the modern and innovative staging proved remarkably avant-garde.

Audi views its support of cultural activities as a prime method of communication. Long-term commitment is crucial, and Audi continues to be a valued partner in classical music, as exemplified by its enduring relationship with the Salzburg Festival.

This special evening also featured a shuttle service provided by Audi's flagship model, the Audi A8, transporting invited guests between their lakeside hotel and the city of Salzburg. The sight of multiple Audi A8s gliding through the streets was both luxurious and spectacular. As you know, the Audi A8, a rival to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series, is Audi's top-tier model in the D-segment, exceeding five meters in length. The A8's interior, with its lightweight aluminum body contributing to agile performance, offered a remarkably quiet and comfortable experience. This is a testament to Audi's 'Vorsprung durch Technik' philosophy, making the entire experience truly captivating.