Salzburg Festival announces music director will not seek to extend contract past 2011

Salzburg Festival music chief to step down

VIENNA — The Salzburg Festival’s musical director will not extend his contract past 2011.

Festival officials say Markus Hinterhaeuser has announced his decision after talks with the designated general director, Alexander Pereira.

In a statement Friday, the Festival said Hinterhaeuser came to the conclusion that he could not continue “under the offered conditions.” It did not elaborate. But in comments to the Austria Press Agency, Hinterhaeuser suggested he had sought more decision-making power in exchange for staying on.

The accomplished pianist studied with Oleg Maisenberg and Elisabeth Leonskaja and has been musical director of the Festival since 2003. The summer musical and drama series is one of the world’ premier venues for the performing arts.