The Lehartheater is Bad Ischl's main stage and the home of the Summer Operetta Festival, one of the longest-running music festivals in Austria. The theatre has staged operettas here since the early nineteenth century, and the festival's association with Franz Lehár — who lived nearby and composed several works for the house — gives it a particular authenticity. Productions of Lehár's The Merry Widow, The Land of Smiles, and Paganini are regulars in the programme.
The theatre building itself is a handsome nineteenth-century structure, well-preserved and small enough that there are few bad seats. The festival runs from July through August. Outside festival season the theatre hosts other performances and events. Even if you don't catch a show, the building and its foyer are worth seeing.