From an early age, Mühlbacher showed a deep passion for music, especially singing. His efforts to harmonise with the high pitches of the Hinterstoder church choir caught the attention of many. Joining the St. Florian Boys’ Choir seemed a natural progression. His rapid ascent to soloist and “star” of the internationally renowned Upper Austrian boys’ choir, was remarkable. He quickly understood what it took to compete on the international music stage, including CD releases and appearances at prestigious venues like the Vienna State Opera.

What Alois Mühlbacher carries forward from his exceptional childhood is an extensive array of experiences for his continuing journey in the upper echelons of male vocal artistry, that of the countertenor. Beyond performances at the Vienna State Opera and the Theater an der Wien, his talents have been showcased on the opera stages of Luxembourg, Aix-en-Provence and Salzburg. He even graced the opening ceremony of the Primorsky Stage of the Marrinsky Theatre in Vladivostok. In February 2024, Mühlbacher debuted at the iconic La Scala in Milan, embodying Oberto in Georg Friedrich Handel’s baroque masterpiece “Alcina”. Touring the globe is part and parcel of such a career. Does such a nomadic lifestyle necessitate having particularly deep roots? And where does an internationally renowned artist call home?

For Alois Mühlbacher, that place is Hinterstoder and the Stodertal valley in the Pyhrn-Priel region. The natural landscape, with its endless hues of green. The Totes Gebirge mountains, with their dramatic cliffs and summits. When the young singer stands in the meadows of the Geislitzkogel mountain, overlooking the Stodertal valley, his profound bond with this corner of Upper Austria become very palpable.

He embraces this “nature reserve” through hiking, mountaineering and climbing. Take, for example, the challenging Stoderer Dolomitensteig walking and hiking trail, which magnificently highlights the karst scenery of the Limestone Alps, or the via ferrata to Poppenberg, Hinterstoder’s local peak. For Mühlbacher, it’s no surprise that people travel from afar to seek solace and rejuvenation in the mountains he calls home. His family has deep ties to tourism. The ethos of hospitality, of sharing the splendour of his birthplace with visitors, has been as much a part of his upbringing as his global stage appearances.

Where in the vicinity of Hinterstoder can one’s voice find rest and relaxation? We venture together to the Steyr river’s source, nestled deep within the valley, where lively mountain brooks merge to give birth to the Steyr, beginning its journey towards Hinterstoder. Alois Mühlbacher’s voice has also been heard in his hometown. During the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in February 2020, he performed the national anthem at the finish line stadium, a memory he cherishes dearly, along with an open-air concert before an audience of over 1,000 against the dramatic backdrop of the Totes Gebirge. “Home matches” always occupy a special place in the artist’s heart.

Further along the valley, the now mighty Steyr tumbles over the Strumboding waterfall’s rocks. Mühlbacher is captivated:

Mist from the thunderous waterfall fills the air, which is refreshingly cool and damp. He envisions his future in opera and on concert stages. Mühlbacher recently marked his debut at the Musiktheater am Volksgarten in Linz. Alongside his professional journey, he remains committed to his vocal studies. For while his roots are deeply planted in Upper Austria, his ambitions reach far across the globe.