Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the iconic film in support of Salzburg Global’s home.
At the end of October, more than 100 guests gathered in Schloss Leopoldskron for a weekend celebrating the 60th anniversary of The Sound of Music, all in support of the conservation and development of Salzburg Global’s home.
As one of the original filming locations, Schloss Leopoldskron stands uniquely at the intersection of culture and history. The story of the von Trapp family — one of humanity and courage — mirrors the Schloss’s own evolution from a private home and symbol of power to a space for dialogue, collaboration, and peace. And so, decades after its filming, the Schloss once again came alive with The Sound of Music.
In the hours leading up to The Captain’s Ball, Salzburg Global Deputy CEO and Managing Director, Programs, Ben Glahn, walked guests through the history of Schloss Leopoldskron — one marked by power, reconciliation, and renewal. In examining the Schloss’s provenance, Glahn traced its history from aristocratic estate to wartime exploitation to rebirth as a center for global collaboration. In doing so, he underscored Reinhardt’s belief in the uniting power of the arts in both a continuation of yesterday’s discussions and a fitting prelude to the night’s festivities.
That evening, on October 25, the Schloss was once again transformed into a stage. Under the creative direction of Markus Kupferblum and the Salzburg Global team, scenes and songs from The Sound of Music unfolded throughout the building for The Captain’s Ball. From pink lemonade in the Great Hall, to the von Trapp children singing in the Marble Hall, to a grand finale in the Gallery, every corner of Schloss Leopoldskron became part of the von Trapp’s timeless story. The evening marked Salzburg Global’s first-ever fundraising gala and live auction, raising almost half a million dollars with proceeds of the event directly benefiting the conservation and development of Schloss Leopoldskron and its grounds.
Surrounding The Captain’s Ball were additional commemorations that enriched the weekend. Guests joined the 60th anniversary gala celebration of The Sound of Music at the historic Felsenreitschule — the same venue that appears in the film as the von Trapp Family’s final concert. Organized by Salzburg Land Tourism and hosted by theater director Carl Philip von Maldeghem and original cast member Nicholas Hammond, the gala united generations of performers, members of the von Trapp family, and several original cast members, many of whom stayed at Schloss Leopoldskron and participated in The Captain’s Ball.
On Friday morning, guests also took part in The Sound of Music Symposium at Schloss Leopoldskron, co-hosted by the Salzburg State Board of Tourism and the Salzburg Museum. Bringing together international press, local leaders, and cultural figures, the symposium reflected on the film’s legacy and explored how The Sound of Music evolved from a polarizing narrative into a shared cultural touchstone. The gathering concluded with a theatrical lunch in the Schloss, echoing Reinhardt’s vision of art as a bridge across eras and cultures.
Photo: www.richard-schabetsberger.com
The weekend’s celebrations at Schloss Leopoldskron were more than a nostalgic tribute — they were a reaffirmation of the Schloss’s enduring spirit as a place where art, history, and humanity converge. Sixty years after The Sound of Music leveraged the power of cinema to amplify Salzburg’s beauty and deepen the world’s affection for it, the story’s timeless themes still resonate through these halls. Guests of The Captain’s Ball — like generations of visitors before them — left with a renewed sense of stewardship for this extraordinary home of global dialogue and collaboration, helping ensure that Salzburg Global’s mission and its beloved Schloss continue to flourish.
