Culture

Music Theater Bavaria is located in an area rich in cultural and national heritage.  While the Oberadorf area projects a tranquil, rural Alpine atmosphere, its residents are generally culturally sophisticated.  This region of southern Bavaria is home to a large number of musicians and artists, and our local audiences are quite knowledgeable about opera, art song and musical theater repertoire.

Students are surrounded by some of the most enriching cultural treasures in the world during their summer experience in Oberaudorf.  Munich, the capital of Bavaria, is about a one hour train ride away.  The summer opera festival in Munich features many of the world’s most famous guest artists performing in world class productions by the Bavarian State Opera and the Bavarian State Ballet.  Munich’s museums are among the finest in Europe, and it is one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities, with great dining, shopping, sightseeing and nightlife.

Three of the world’s most famous castles are in southern Bavaria, all built by King Ludwig II:  Herrenchiemsee, modeled after Verseilles; Linderhof, with its operatic grotto; and Neuschwanstein, the model for Disney’s Cinderella Castle.  Famous churches in the area include the finest example of rococo beauty in the world, the Wieskirche, Munich’s Frauenkirche, and the abbeys of Ottobeuren, Ettal and Benediktbeuren.

Numerous Austrian destinations of interest are also nearby.  The town of Kufstein, the beautiful ski resort of Kitzbühel, and Innsbruck, capital of the Tyrol, are all a fairly short distance from Oberaudorf.  Several Austrian villages are within walking distance, including Erl, home of the unique Passionspielhaus, which is the site of the Tirolerfestspiele Erl (a summer opera and music festival), and Ebbs, location of the stud farm of the Haflingers, the beautiful Tyrolean work horses.  Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and home of the famous music festival, is only an hour away, and Vienna, while a longer train ride, is close enough to be a weekend destination.

Italy is also a reasonable distance from Oberaudorf.  Verona, with its summer opera season in the huge Roman Arena, is about three hours away, while Bolzano, Cortina d’Ampezzo, the romantic Lago di Garda and the breathtaking Dolomite Mountains are even closer.  Venice is another exciting weekend option. 

Optional weekend excursions to several of these places will be available during your month at MTB (at extra cost, for those who wish to participate), and MTB is pleased to offer an included excursion for all students to Neuschwanstein Castle and the

Wieskirche.