Here is what the Deutsche Presse Agentur has to say about yesterday’s premiere of Le Nozze di Figaro at the Salzburg Festival. As always the premiere drew a very distinguished and elitist crowd of politicians, stars, artists, and business people. But not only those who were lucky and rich enough to get tickets enjoyed the show. The city administration of Salzburg and the Austrian broadcasting company (ORF) set up a huge public viewing arena near the cathedral where several thousands watched the production eating sausages and drinking beer. This reminds me of the public viewing spectacles during the world cup just a month ago in that very same location. Funny to see how soccer and opera are so much alike! Did I mention that the premiere was also broadcast in German state television (ARD)? And did I mention that the German equivalent of David Letterman, Harald Schmidt, moderated the evening? Apparently more than 1.5 million people watched the opera on German television alone, which was an audience rate of about 8.1%. Who says that there is a decline of interest in high culture in Germany?