The castle is most famous for its association with Mozart.
Thomas Meyer Photography provided by Concierge AuctionsThe nearly 900-year-old Austrian castle that was the birthplace of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s hauntingly beautiful “Requiem,” the last composition he wrote before his death in 1791, is headed for the auction block on Dec. 1.
Listed for €12 million (US$13.02 million), Mozart’s final residence, aka Schloss Stuppach, which comes with a dungeon, a baroque garden, a so-called Requiem Chapel and a concert salon, is expected to sell for at least €3.95 million to €9.95 million , according to Concierge Auctions, which is conducting the online sale ending Dec. 14.
“It’s a magical place with a worldwide history,” said owner Reinhard Zellinger. He and his wife, Rita Zellinger, bought the castle, which is in the mountain town of Gloggnitz in Lower Austria, in 1996 when it was in ruins and transformed it into a mecca for Mozart and classical music lovers.
More: Lionel Messi’s 2022 FIFA World Cup Shirts Could Fetch More than US$10 Million at Auction
It’s hosted more than 160 top-talent concerts that have attracted more than 12,000 attendees from all over the globe.
The Zellingers christened their new venture “Mozart’s Last Castle” after a 1997 world premiere production of the “Requiem” at its original location, the castle, that featured the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra.
Mozart’s Last Castle hosts classical concerts from artists around the world.
Thomas Meyer Photography provided by Concierge Auctions“The speaker at the event called it Mozart’s Last Castle,” Rita Zellinger said. “We grabbed this, and this was the start of our own brand, which was developed over the last 25 years.”
The entrepreneurial couple—he’s a project developer and management consultant, she’s an interior design specialist—spent 15 years restoring the castle. The work on the rest of the property, they said, is ongoing.
One of the few castles in Lower Austria that’s still in private hands, Mozart’s Last Castle has played host to a variety of important personalities during its long history. In addition to Mozart, the castle has been visited by Emperor Napoleon, composer Franz Schubert, Pope Pius VI, Princess Isabella of Parma and Emperor Franz Stephan von Lothringen.
More: The Latest Travel ‘Flex’ Is Trodding the Earth’s Most Remote Regions
Built in 1130, the castle was partially redesigned in the 15th and 17th centuries.
The four-story, 50-room castle, which covers nearly 27,000 square feet, has a variety of imperial features, including guest suites, a cinema, a library, a business club, a shop, a professional catering kitchen and several large entertainment spaces. It’s furnished with antiques, which are available for separate purchase, and is set in a 3.7-acre park.
Although the Zellingers find every room of the castle enchanting, they are particularly fond of the Requiem Chapel and the fireplace hall.
“The chapel is the absolute power place of the castle,” Reinhard said. “Its whole history is unique—it is the heart of the castle.”
The chapel served two functions: It was a Catholic church and a Freemason lodge, or temple, Rita added. The couple agreed the space has a magical quality.
The castle was built in 1130.
Thomas Meyer Photography provided by Concierge AuctionsThe fireplace hall, they said, is their go-to place to relax and get inspiration.
“The castle, a noted landmark in the area, is a historical gem and a continuing source of culture and art,” said listing agent Michaela Orisich of Austria Sotheby’s International Realty, who added that it “can be customized to fit the dreams of the new owner.”
Mozart was commissioned to compose the score for “Requiem” by Count F.A. von Walsegg, a fellow Mason, in honor of his wife, Anna Countess von Walsegg, who died on the property at age 20 on Valentine’s Day 1791.
The count and the composer were well-acquainted. They were both members of the same Freeman lodge, which was housed in the castle and Mozart had visited Walsegg’s Vienna palace frequently and had written other compositions at his behest.
The “Requiem” turned out to be an ill-fated assignment: Mozart died in December of that same year, and the composition was completed by Franz Xaver Süssmayr, who delivered it to the count on the first anniversary of the countess’ death.
More: Historic Typewriters Used by Literary Giants and Celebrities Up for Auction
Mozart’s manuscript for the choral masterpiece was kept in the castle until it was acquired by the Austrian National Library in the 1830s.
One of the more famous of Mozart’s works, “Requiem” was performed at Boston’s Cathedral of the Holy Cross in 1964 during a memorial for President John F. Kennedy, who had been assassinated the previous year.
Noting that they have had a good run, the Zellingers, who are in their 60s, said they are parting with Mozart’s Last Castle because they don’t have children to pass it along to.
“It’s the right moment for handover,” he said. “As the castle will be sold as a successful business model, we are more than happy to offer our support to the new owner. We are sure he will live unforgettable moments in the castle” just as we have done.
This article originally appeared on Mansion Global.
"complete" - Google News
November 22, 2023 at 11:02PM
https://ift.tt/PJc18Oh
Mozart’s Former Austrian Castle—Complete With a Dungeon—Heads to the Auction Block - Barron's
"complete" - Google News
https://ift.tt/9Nr7vp2
https://ift.tt/YWlS9cI
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Mozart’s Former Austrian Castle—Complete With a Dungeon—Heads to the Auction Block - Barron's"
Post a Comment