Dinner Parties

In Mozart's time - the era which provides the general theme of the Salzburg wax museum - there was a fundamental contrast between wealthy townsfolk and rural families. While the regular populace had to be content with inexpensive foods, the upper classes were able to hold innumerable parties and serve up everything a heart could possibly desire.

Invited guests generally included the land's most powerful leaders, church dignitaries and scholars. The tables were set very elegantly, with the affluent families possessing valuable table linens and the finest of porcelain. Meals consisted of several courses, served up household servants.

A meal could thus stretch out for several hours - the more opulent the experience, the better. And of course, wine and beer flowed freely at the dinner parties of the 18th century. Important as social occasions, these extravagant dinners were also an opportunity to conduct business and politics.