Mozart΄s Costa Violin. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Costa Violin enchanted the thousands of visitors who saw it during its exhibition at the Palace of the Grand Master in the Medieval City of Rhodes and then moved the large audience who enjoyed listening to it when played during the concert in the monumental> imposing courtyard of the Palace on Sunday 24 September 2023.

The historic violin from the Mozart Museums in Salzburg, a national heirloom of the Austrians and a representative example of their cultural heritage, rarely travels outside Austria. It was presented in public for the first time in Greece and played in an open air concert . The event was co-organized by the Honorary Consulate of Austria in the Dodecanese, Mozarteum Hellas, the Ephorate of Antiquities of Dodecanese, the Region of South Aegean, the Municipality of Rhodes and DOPAR, in collaboration with the International Mozarteum Foundation of Austria in the framework of the European Heritage Days. The Ambassador of Austria, Mrs. Gerda Vogl, was present at the event and said: “The concert was magical. It is one of the things that you would like to see and listen to once in your life!”.

The violin was presented by the Director of the Mozart Museums of the International Mozarteum Foundation, Linus Klumpner, who stressed that “In fact, there is no way to get close to the authentic sound of Mozart’s music other than listening to his music performed on his personal instruments – it is a unique and moving experience.” This was followed by a special concert of works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with Dr. Anja Morgenstern on Mozart’s violin, violinist and Mrs. Evgenia Votanopoulou on the piano.

It is important to note that the Palace of the Grand Master was visited on Sunday 24 September by 3,000 people, who admired and photographed Mozart’s violin in one of the most impressive halls of the Palace, while the concert was attended by over 1,300 people, including many visitors of our island.

The dynamic relationship between culture and tourism offers life experiences, memories and added value to hospitality. The presentation of Mozart’s Costa violin was a special experience making a major contribution to the the cultural life of Rhodes!

The International Mozarteum Foundation and Mozarteum Hellas had the opportunity to present to the Greek Minister of Culture, Dr Lina Mendoni, Mozart’s Costa Violin who was visiting Rhodes at the time of the event.