- Anton Aicher
Anton Aicher (born 1859) was the founding
Artistic Director of theSalzburg Marionette Theatre . He founded the company in 1913 and was its leader until his death.Background
Aicher was born in a small village in southern
Styria in Austria. His talent for carving was recognised at an early age and he was sent to study with the well known maker of altar pieces. His interest in figures in motion took him toMunich to one of the masters of puppetryPapa Schmid [ Salzburg Marionetten Theater, p.30]Influences
One of the greatest influences on Aicher was the work of
Count Franz Pocci , founder of theMunich Marionette Theatre . [ Logan, D, "Puppetry", p.10]alzburg Marionette Theatre
In 1913, Aicher founded the Salzburg Marionette Theatre. [ Logan, D, "Puppetry", p.11] The company opened on
27 February ,1913 with a production ofMozart 's opera, "Bastien and Bastienne " [ Salzburg Marionetten Theater, p.30] . In October of the same year, Aicher hired the gymnasium of the Borromaeum seminary and installed his company there. The venue was the home of the Salzburg Marionette Theatre for 49 years. [ Salzburg Marionetten Theater, p.17]World War One did not interrupt the workings of the theatre company. In 1926, Aicher handed over the management of the theatre to his son,
Hermann Aicher . 1927 saw the first tour of the company toHamburg ,Germany . This tour started a tradition that still continues today.Legacy
Professor Anton Aicher's company continues to flourish today under the artistic direction of his granddaughter,
Gretl Aicher .References
Books and Articles
*cite book
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Salzburg Marionetten Theater
publisher = Salzburg Marionette Theater
date= 2004
location = Salzburg, Austria
id=
*cite book
last = Logan
first = David
authorlink = David Logan
coauthors =
title = Puppetry
publisher = Brisbane Dramatic Arts Company
date= 2007
location = Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
id= ISBN 9780980456301External links
* [http://www.marionetten.at - Salzburg Marionette Theatre] homepage of the Salzburg Marionette Theatre - available in English and German
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