In 1987 Jürgen Flimm - one of the most important theater and opera directors of our time - directed the first time at the Salzburg Festival. In 1988, his version of The Farmer as a Millionaire was then recorded by ORF ... Flimm is now the festival director - a red sofa, a prop from the third act of the play, is still in his study today. This was the beginning of his "strange affection" for Salzburg (O-Ton Flimm). Flimm cemented this affection in 1989 with the production Das Mädl aus der Vorstadt.