“In Austria the Mozarteum is a well-known national treasure, loved and venerated for their beautiful concert hall and their museum collection. But tonight, it’s like a coming out party for New Yorkers”, offered the hostess Marifé Hernández last Monday night when she and her husband, Joel Bell, opened their Manhattan duplex to nearly 100 friends to celebrate the Salzburg Mozarteum Foundation and meet Linus Klumpner, Director of Mozart Museums, Johannes Honsig-Erlenburg, President of the International Mozarteum Foundation, Stefan Schnoll, Vice Governor of Salzburg and State Counselor for Cultural Affairs, and Reiner Heneis, General Manager of the Mozarteum.
To make the evening even more special, a priceless violin belonging to Mozart, one of six in the Mozarteum collection made its first trip to America and was played at the reception. The 18th century Italian instrument was Mozart’s favorite and one he used to compose and perform. Deemed too difficult to package, the directors of the Foundation carefully walked it onto their flight to New York as hand luggage. “We, of course worry, and protect it in every way possible,” explained Linus Klumpner, “but really just carrying it ourselves onto the airplane is the best way” Introducing the music Johannes Honsig-Erlenburg, added “We know that when God listens to music it’s Bach. But when he turns his back, the Angels listen to Mozart.”
Among the guests were Noreen Buckfire, Philippe de Montebello, Carol and John French, Isabelle Harnoncourt, Elbrun Kimmelman, Sana Sabbagh, Jill Sackler, Pat Schoenfeld, Barbara Tober, Adrienne and Gigi Vittadini.
The Salzburg Mozarteum Foundation owns the largest collection worldwide of original letters, portraits, and instruments of the Mozart Family. In 1880 Mozart’s widow, Constanze, as well as his two sons, Carl Thomas and Franz Xaver Wolfgang, donated the majority of his personal belongings and memorabilia to the Foundation. Ever since Mozarteum has exhibited these musical treasures and arranged superb concerts.
