Montblanc Edition "Hommage à Max Reinhardt 2011"

Successfully promoting culture in Salzburg for 10 years

The cultural brand Montblanc has supported a number of international activities, making both a creative and financial contribution to cultural life.

As part of the Salzburg Festival Montblanc has been the sole sponsor since 2002 of the Young Directors Project - an innovative competition for young, international theatre directors and their ensembles.

In addition to the agreed sponsor contribution, every year a portion of the proceeds from the special edition of “Hommage à Max Reinhardt” goes to the exciting Young Directors Project – popular among press and audience members alike.

“The extra money made from sales of the special edition enables us to invite theatre productions from America, Asia and Africa to Salzburg. We are especially interested in promoting extraordinary productions in a variety of languages and from diverse cultural circles,” says Ingrid Roosen-Trinks (Director Montblanc Cultural Foundation)

The expert jury includes important figures like Dr. Helga Rabl-Stadler (President of the Salzburg Festival), Birgit Minichmayr (Salzburg's “Paramour”), Andrea Schurian (Journalist), Klaus Maria Brandauer (actor) and Thaddaeus Ropac (Ropac Gallery), who will select the winner of the Montblanc Young Directors Award. This unique international theatre director award includes € 10,000 in prize money - and the Montblanc Max Reinhardt fountain pen designed exclusively for this project.

Max Reinhardt – Co-founder of the Salzburg Festival

Max Reinhardt, the eponymous inspiration for this Edition, is inextricably linked with Salzburg. A major visionary and theatre man, he is considered to be the founder of modern Regietheater (director's theatre). He initiated the Salzburg Festival in 1920 with Richard Strauss and Hugo von Hofmannsthal; he made the city the backdrop for the productions and began presenting the mystery play “Everyman”, in the Salzburg Cathedral Square – a tradition that continues to this day.

In 1933 Max Reinhardt staged the first dramatic performance of Goethe's Faust I. in Salzburg. Austrian architect Clemens Holzmeister, who was also responsible for constructing the Large Festival Hall, built the impressive Faust City in the Summer Riding School (Felsenreitschule) for Reinhardt.

Young Herbert von Karajan was in charge of the stage music, Max Pallenberg played Mephisto, Paula Wessely played Gretchen and Ewald Balser was Faust. This important performance was shown until 1937, but was discontinued after the National Socialists seized power. Shortly thereafter Max Reinhardt emigrated to the USA.

Montblanc Edition "Hommage à Max Reinhardt 2011"

Max Reinhardt's Salzburg ‘’Faust’’ performance was the inspiration for the design of this fascinating writing instrument. The body is made from the tiger's eye gemstone and adorned with filigree work depicting scenes from Goethe's renowned classic.

In the Middle Ages tiger's eye was popular in making amulets that protected wearers from evil glances, demons and bewitchment. Even today, this unique precious stone is said to have many positive, energetic properties.

A silhouette of the Hohensalzburg fortress is engraved on the handcrafted nib made of 18-carat gold.

This writing jewel's cap is made of 750 solid gold and decorated with exquisite lacquer inlays. The clip is also set with one Akoya Keshi Pearl. The Montblanc star shines in mother-of-pearl on the pen's tip.

Every specimen of this exclusive edition is packaged in a luxuriously designed case.

The “Hommage à Max Reinhardt” special edition is limited to 20 specimens worldwide and is only available during the Salzburg Festival (from 27 July to 30 August 2011) in the Montblanc Boutique Salzburg (Alter Markt 1).

This edition will be of special interest to Montblanc collectors and enthusiasts from
around the world. It features a new design each year and is only available in small
quantities.

Price: € 17,500

Limited number available worldwide: 20 pieces