Mozart tribute ends on sour note after mass figurine theft

A public art installation featuring 320 gold-colored Mozart figures in Salzburg's Mirabell Garden has been marred by a major theft, forcing organizers to cut the exhibition short. The Mozarteum Foundation confirmed that 210 of the 320 figures had vanished, leaving organizers with insufficient replacements due to the manufacturer's summer holiday.

Several dozen figures remained on display at the Mozarteum and Mozart's birthplace until the end of August. Conceptual artist Ottmar Hörl, who created the display, aimed to depict Mozart as an ordinary person rather than a monument. Hörl, known for creating installations with large numbers of identical figures, did not believe tourists were responsible for the theft, suggesting it was organized and likely carried out at night.

The artist estimated the loss at around €20,000, as the figures were intended to be sold post-exhibition for €90 each. Previous Hörl displays have also faced theft, including a previous installation in Bayreuth where 100 figures of Richard Wagner went missing. Hörl accepted that theft is an inherent risk when working in public spaces but hoped this incident would not overshadow the artistic intent behind the figures, which were meant to represent Mozart in his everyday life in Salzburg.