The 2024 European Capital of Culture Bad Ischl Salzkammergut has provided some of the financing for the composition of a contemporary opera, which is based on an ancient legend about the discovery of the regional salt deposits by the merman of Grundlsee lake. The idea for the opera was developed by Dr. Verena Frey. The composer of the opera is Vanni Moretto, a renowned composer, musician and conductor who has received numerous international prizes and who has performed all around the world. His librettist is Stefano Pintor, a prize-winning author, director and “librettist in residence” of the Venice Biennial.