The building, designed by the architect Klaus Kada, represents the centre of a new cultural district including the Festspielhaus, the Bell Tower, the Provincial Academy, the Provincial Archive, the Provincial Library, the Provincial Museum and the regional studio of ORF (the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation) as well as the Tonkünstler Orchestra of Lower Austria.

The building’s unique architecture allows a wide range of events to be staged. All in all, four halls of varying sizes are available.

The high point of the yearly programme of cultural events is the Grafenegg Music Festival under the artistic direction of Rudolf Buchbinder. Alongside renowned international visiting orchestras, the Tonkünstler Orchestra of Lower Austria play a central role in the Festival. Since 2008, the Tonkünstler have taken up residence in Grafenegg already in July and August as part of the Music Summer and - along with two other Orchestras in Residence - give concerts every Saturday evening. The international Grafenegg Music Festival is the crowning glory of an exhilarating summer season.

Approximately 50 operas and 20 ballets are offered in the repertoire every season, which runs from September1st to June 30th. It is not, however, the number which is important, its rather the variety offered by this House and all at the highest levels of artistry. An artistic corner stone of the house is the permanently engaged ensemble of singers, always complemented by international guest singers. Furthermore, the Opera runs its own orchestra as well as a ballet company.

To coincide with the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth the Theater an der Wien presents itself as a new opera house from January 2006. As a “stagione” opera house with productions all the year round the Theater an der Wien carves a new and independent niche in the realm of high-quality culture in Vienna. For twelve months of the year, with one premiere every month, opera will be performed under the “stagione”, or season, system: that means the cast remains unchanged from the first performance to the last one, which guarantees that the very highest international standards are maintained.

The Krems summer festival Glatt&Verkehrt is taking place every year. No matter if they come from traditional folk music, jazz, classical music or the avant-garde — what connects the performing artists from all around the world that gather in the little town of Krems a.d. Donau for around two weeks each year is one common premise: the confrontation with their personal musical origins.

Every summer some open air opera events take place at the old castle in Gars. A opera festival of high quality in special surroundings.

Since 1996 the castle Haindorf and the castle park are scenery for the castle festival Langenlois where open air operettas are performed every summer.