CULTURE
Burgtheater Vienna
The Burgtheater (the former imperial court theatre), one of the most important theatres in Europe, ist the second-oldest theatre still in existence after the Comédie Francaise. Its all-German program includes all the variety of spoken theatre: classics and contemporary pieces, as well as experimental theatre and readings. The director is Matthias Hartmann.
The Burgtheater is large. It has got 1175 seats, 81 standing places, and room for 12 wheelchairs and escorts. Inspite of that it´s often worth buying tickets in advance.
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Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera)
Approximately 50 operas and 20 ballets are offered in the repertoire every season, which runs from 1 September to 30 June. It is not, however, the number which is important (although it is not equaled by any other opera house in the world) rather the variety offered by this House and all at the highest levels of artistry. An artistic corner stone of the house is the permanently engaged ensemble of singers, always complemented by international guest singers. A great number of world stars have come from among the members of the Wiener Staatsoper ensemble.
General Director Ioan Holender has discovered for the Wiener Staatsoper, and thereby for the international music world, a large number of young singers such as Natalie Dessay Barbara Frittoli, Angela Gheorghiu, Vesselina Kasarova, Angelika Kirchschlager, Andrea Rost, Michael Schade, Bo Skovhus, Bryn Terfel and Ramón Vargas.
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The Volksoper Vienna
The Volksoper is Vienna’s main stage for operetta, opera, musicals and ballet, offering sophisticated musical entertainment. Colourful, eclectic and full of vitality, it is the only theatre dedicated to the genre of operetta.
Operetta belongs to Vienna and Vienna installed it at the home of operetta, Volksopera Vienna, which thereupon became the leading operetta house in the world. First class singers, actors and dancers together with a versatile orchestra cunjure up a musical firework display every evening.
Johann Strauss, Franz Lehár, Emmerich Kálmán wrote their world famous beloved melodies for operettas such as “The Fledermaus”, “The Merry Widow” and “Countess Mariza”. A visit to at least one of these operettas at the Volksopera Vienna is a must for every visitor to Vienna!
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The Musikverein
There are many music societies but only one Musikverein. Music lovers throughout the world know it as the centre of Viennese musical culture, as the focus of the international concert circuit and as the Eldorado of classical music.
The Musikverein - a resonant name, a scintillating idea. Strictly speaking, it has a twofold meaning: the concert hall on Vienna's Karlsplatz and the society to which this building belongs, the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde (Society of Music Lovers) in Vienna. Two different things which belong inseparably together.
What would the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde be without its magnificent concert hall and what would the concert hall be without the society?
One name encapsulates the interplay between these two elements and brings both together: the Musikverein.
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The Konzerthaus
From its earliest days, the Vienna Konzerthaus has held the highest cultural aims and artistic mission: «To act as a venue for the cultivation of fine music, as a meeting point for artistic endeavour, as a home for music and a cultural centre for Vienna». It was in this spirit that the Konzerthaus was inaugurated on 19 October 1913 with a festive concert attended by Emperor Francis Joseph I. To mark the occasion, Richard Strauss wrote the «Festliches Präludium op. 61», which was followed by Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. This programme combination, comprising a contemporary work and a masterpiece from the past, served as a model for the Vienna Konzerthaus’s future direction: today, too, an awareness of tradition and the joys of innovation form the main pillars of the Konzerthaus’s artistic identity.
The unique atmosphere of the Vienna Konzerthaus not only attract artists from the international music scene, but also forms the setting for numerous other social events such as balls, conferences, dinners, company presentations and festivities. The Konzerthaus's experience of hosting a wide variety of events extends back to the Twenties. With its most recent major renovation (1998–2001), the historic building is now well-equipped to meet the challenges of the third millennium.
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