AFP/Vienna, Austria

The 89th Salzburg Festival was officially opened yesterday by Austrian President Heinz Fischer, with Handel’s opera Theodora kicking off a month of music and drama later in the day.

Austrian leaders turned up en masse at the opening, led by Fischer and his guest, Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva, on an official visit to Austria.

One of the world’s most exclusive summer arts festivals, the month-long event will involve a total of 186 performances at 14 different venues ranging from opera to concerts and drama, with such big names as soprano Anna Netrebko and pianist Lang Lang.

This year’s edition is under the motto “The Game of the Mighty”.

Ticket prices in Salzburg - among the priciest in Europe for such an event - range from as little as five euros to 370 euros.

The festival runs until August 30.