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A musical guide to Vienna, from Strauss to K-pop
Visit the home of classical music for concerts, museums and to walk in the footsteps of the legends who put the Austrian capital on the map
“Indecent” may have been the earliest verdict on the waltz. After all, it did require dancing partners to move in scandalously close proximity to each other. But today, this most Viennese of dances has Unesco status as part of Austria’s intangible cultural history. We can credit this shift in status to the work of the ‘Waltz King’, Johan Strauss II. The enduring popularity of his 500 dance compositions has ensured that the three-four time is still alive and well in Vienna. And as the Austrian capital prepares to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Strauss’s birth in 2025, an escape to Vienna with British Airways Holidays gives music lovers the chance to join in.
The trail of melodic achievement extends far beyond Strauss; Austria’s musical heritage is unmatched. With four opera houses, myriad concert halls and a whole season of balls for the young, the old and people from all walks of life, Vienna is easily the world’s capital of classical music. It has been home not just to Strauss, but at some time or another to Mozart, Mahler, Haydn and Beethoven.
Today, the city is host to more than 15,000 concerts each year; every night in the Austrian capital, 10,000 people listen to live classical music. Head to the Musikverein, home of the philharmonic, the Wiener Konzerthaus, the Staatsoper, and other, smaller venues to find a performance that suits your tastes.
Here are five unmissable musical experiences that you can find only in Vienna…
1 Haus der Musik
Visitors of all ages and degrees of music expertise will love Vienna’s “Museum of Sound”, where you can test what you have learnt while wandering the city and attending concerts. This interactive museum explores the science of sound, and takes visitors through the timeline of musical periods, noting the contributions of all of the major composers, culminating in a dark room in which, one by one, visitors have the chance to virtually conduct the Vienna Philharmonic.
2 Summer Night Concert
The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra will perform in front of Schönbrunn Palace on 7 June, for the 21st year in a row. This summer, the soprano Lise Davidsen will play a starring role, singing two arias – one from Wagner’s Tannhäuser and one from Verdi’s La Forza del Destino – as part of a programme focused on European works from the 19th and 20th centuries. This open-air concert, like the New Year's Concert, is one of the main highlights of the philharmonic year.
3 Vienna Boys’ Choir
If you’re a music lover, no visit would be complete without attending a concert of the Vienna Boys’ Choir. Groups of around 100 boys perform regularly as part of the mass at the Hofburg Chapel on Sundays (from September to June), and also at the Vienna State Opera and the Vienna Philharmonic. But the easiest way to see them is at the MuTh (an abbreviation of music and theatre), the group’s dedicated concert hall, which opened in the Augarten in 2012. Expect a classical repertoire with a few modern pieces mixed in.
4 Marionette Theatre
If you’re getting the impression that a musical trip to Vienna is a terribly serious affair, you can lighten the mood by heading to the Marionette Theatre at Schönbrunn Palace, the mustard-coloured summer residence of the Habsburg emperors on the edge of the city. Here you can see Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute given a fun makeover with marionettes.
5 Danube Island Festival
Vienna may be steeped in history, but it also regularly tops the rankings for best quality of life, and no trip would be complete without checking out the vibrant contemporary offerings. On the last weekend of June, performers from around the world descend on the city for Europe’s largest free open-air music festival. Dozens of stages host everything from jazz to rock to K-pop, attracting 3 million music fans.
Where to stay in Vienna
An elegant boutique hotel boasting marble bathrooms and an upscale restaurant with a terrace. Situated in Albertinaplatz, the heart of the city, it will place you just a few minutes’ walk away from Hofburg Palace, the Vienna State Opera and St Stephen’s Cathedral.
A modern, trendy and comfortable hotel located near the east bank of the River Danube with a 24-hour fitness suite, great transport links and a city transport card. Perfect for those looking to explore the best of the city without breaking the bank.
Hotel Imperial, Luxury Collection Hotel
Situated directly on the Ringstraße boulevard in the heart of Vienna, Hotel Imperial offers a truly exceptional luxury experience to those seeking something particularly special. Decadent interiors accompany a full roster of fitness, wellbeing, gastronomic and entertainment amenities.
Located in the centre of Vienna, this exclusive stay is found in a tastefully renovated 19th century building that combines historic design with elegance and luxury. Beautifully designed rooms and a world-class spa sit in the heart of Vienna’s Old Town in Petersplatz.
To find out more visit ba.com/vienna
