Starry, starry nights

摘要

City-dwellers, often overwhelmed by choice where arts events are concerned, don't always understand the allure of summer music festivals. Those who don't live near a major arts centre are attracted by the double feature of a visit to an interesting country or town, with the hope of some important musical event thrown in. Those who have never been, for instance, to Salzburg, Austria's top musical draw, or to Edinburgh, Munich or Aix-en-Provence, might be forgiven for feeling disappointed if the more obvious fare is not on display. Regulars and seekers after the recherche will be persuaded only by some jewel of the repertory that they are unlikely to encounter elsewhere. This summer there is something of both on offer at some of the most attractive venues in the world. Novices will want to hear Mozart's "Don Giovanni" (conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt) and "Die Zaub-erfloete" (under Bertrand de Billy), but the cognoscenti at Salzburg will bypass these for two rarities, "Die Liebe der Danae" and "Der Koenig Kandaules".