Schwarzenberg www.schwarzenberg.at

"It is wonderful; on every side the forest descends from the hills, almost reaching the houses, an yet the countryside is open and fair." These words, written by Eduard Mörike's wife in 1857 during her summer vacation in Schwarzenberg, aptly describe the picturesque village situated in the middle of the Bregenzerwald region, 700 meters above sea level. Visitors should take some time to stroll through the historic village centre with its parish church, dance house and handsome, traditional timber-frame guest houses.

The Angelika-Kauffmann-Saal, a modern-style timber-frame concert hall, was named after the famous painter who donated a new piece for the high altar of her father's hometown in 1802. The "Kleiner Dorfsaal" was added next to the Angelika-Kauffmann Hall in 1996.

An extension to the hall, which was finished in June 2001, for the first time in its 25-year history provided the Schubertiade with a venue perfectly fulfilling the festival's needs. The extended hall's ambience, architecture and acoustics are considered unique and have received worldwide praise. 

The hall has been lengthened by 7.5 meters in the area of the stage, increasing audience capacity from 434 to 590 seats. Other substantial improvements include an ample foyer, additional entrance doors, a new cloakroom, new bathrooms on the ground floor, an enlarged buffet space, a panorama terrace also serving as canopy, a new air conditioning system, and an elevator facilitating access to the "Kleiner Dorfsaal".