Lehár Villa

If you are a fan of operetta and classical music, you should not miss the opportunity to visit the Lehár Villa in Bad Ischl, the former estate of Franz Lehár, one of the most famous and successful composers of the genre. The villa is not only a beautiful and historic building, but also a museum that showcases the life and work of Lehár, as well as the history and culture of Bad Ischl and the Salzkammergut region.

The Villa: A Musical Legacy

The Lehár Villa is located at Lehár-Kai 8, on the banks of the Traun river, in the picturesque town of Bad Ischl in the Salzkammergut. The villa was built in the 19th century and was originally owned by the Duchess of Sabran, a French aristocrat and a friend of Emperor Franz Joseph. In 1912, Lehár bought the villa from the duchess and made it his summer residence. He spent almost every summer there until his death in 1948. He loved the villa and the town so much that he wrote in his will that the villa should be used as a museum after his death. The museum was opened in 1951 and has been attracting visitors from all over the world ever since.

The villa is a two-story building with a mansard roof and a balcony overlooking the river. The interior of the villa is decorated with priceless furniture from different eras, some of which were donated to Lehár by his admirers and friends, such as the King of Sweden and the Prince of Monaco. The villa also houses a rich collection of paintings, clocks, sculptures, and other art pieces, many of which depict scenes and characters from Lehár’s operettas. The villa also has a beautiful garden with a fountain and a pavilion, where Lehár used to relax and enjoy the nature.

The Museum: A Tribute to Lehár and Bad Ischl

The museum consists of two parts: the main villa, where Lehár lived and worked, and the side house, where his wife Sophie resided. The side house, also known as the “Alt-Ischl” museum, is located at Lehár-Kai 10 and was donated by Sophie to her husband in 1940. The side house displays exhibits related to the history and culture of Bad Ischl and the Salzkammergut, such as costumes, tools, crafts, and photographs. The side house also has a small cinema, where visitors can watch documentaries and films about Lehár and his operettas.

The main villa, however, is the highlight of the museum, as it showcases the life and work of Lehár in a personal and intimate way. Visitors can enter the rooms where Lehár lived and composed, such as his bedroom, his living room, his dining room, and his study. The rooms are furnished and arranged as they were during Lehár’s time, with his original furniture, belongings, and memorabilia. Visitors can see his piano, his desk, his manuscripts, his letters, his awards, his medals, and his personal items, such as his glasses, his hat, and his pipe. The rooms also have audio guides and speakers, where visitors can listen to Lehár’s music and his voice, as well as anecdotes and stories about him and his operettas.

One of the most impressive rooms in the villa is the “Laurel Room”, where 10 laurel wreaths hang on the wall. These wreaths were given to Lehár when one of his operettas reached 100 or more performances in a theater. The wreaths symbolize the popularity and success of Lehár’s operettas, which include classics such as “The Merry Widow”, “The Land of Smiles”, “The Count of Luxembourg”, and “Giuditta”. Lehár composed most of his operettas in the villa’s main study, where he had a magnificent view of the river and the mountains. He once said: “I always have the best ideas in Ischl”.

Bad Ischl, Austria