Prof. Dr. Werner Hackl
Lecturer for Wind Instruments, Director of Works Involving Winds
Werner Hackl studied at the Academy of Education as well as at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. After four years with the military band, he worked for 35 years as a professional musician with the Tonkünstler Orchestra of Lower Austria. He taught for 22 years as a professor at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, where he led the brass ensemble program.
Werner Hackl performed with the Clemencic Consort and, as president of the Austrian Society for Contemporary Music (ÖGZM), made a significant impact on the Austrian cultural scene. Today, he works independently as an orchestral musician in churches and music centers. As conductor of the KünstlerOrchesterWien, he frequently undertakes cultural tours abroad, enriching the artistic landscape of many countries. He also serves as a lecturer for seminars and courses. (Wien Modern 2022)
Mag. Wolfgang Göllner
Lecturer for Violins, Director of the Strauss String Ensemble
Wolfgang Göllner is a multiple prizewinner at international competitions and has recorded 20 CDs as a soloist and chamber musician since 1989. He spent ten years performing with the orchestra of the Vienna State Opera/Vienna Philharmonic. As a concertmaster, Göllner regularly led ensembles such as the Johann Strauss Chamber Orchestra Vienna, the National Chamber Orchestra of Moldova, the Strauss Ensemble of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Thessaloniki—to name just a few. He was a frequent guest at the Lockenhaus Chamber Music Festival and, as part of KlangBogen Wien, presented the complete Mozart string quartets in chronological order.
As first violinist, he was a longtime member of the Haydn Quartet Eisenstadt, the Vienna Soloists Quartet, and—until 2022—the Wespa Quartet. (www.wolfgang-goellner.at)
Prof. Dr. Richard J. Sigmund
Director of Choral Works
Richard J. Sigmund completed his concert studies in voice, art song and oratorio, and music drama at the University of Music in Vienna. This was followed by engagements in Vienna, Munich, and elsewhere. In 1988, he returned to South Tyrol, where he has since been active as a vocal coach, cultural manager, conductor, director, and composer. His numerous directing and conducting engagements have taken him to Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Germany, Austria, France, Spain, Greece, and other countries. In Merano, he successfully founded and led several cultural initiatives over many years.
He is an internationally renowned vocal coach and a recognized expert in singing and stage direction for opera and musical theater. (www.amatemerano.com)
Prof. Mag. Reinhold Rieger
Lecturer for Lower Strings, Director of the Overall Musical Concept
Reinhold Rieger was a violist with the Vienna Philharmonic and a professor at the Institute of Conducting at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. His recordings have received numerous international awards. In 2010, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
“You have made a significant contribution to international understanding in general and to German-Austrian cultural relations in particular through your exceptional and tireless commitment to young musicians from all over the world,” said Ambassador Blomeyer-Bartenstein in his laudation.
The series “Kaleidoscope of Nations”, initiated by Reinhold Rieger, provides a platform for encounters with Vienna’s international student community. (www.sirene.at)