Musikverein ticket questions

First: Musikverein has a group of concert halls for rent; basically, if you accept to pay the rent and find an empty slot, you could yourself give a concert at Musikverein. This explains why the programs go from top of the top on a world scale to tourist programs.
Second: you want a program in the Großer Saal (the largest concert hall); the Brahms Saal is also nice, but small, you may find chamber concerts there but it is unlikely you would appreciate them. The other halls are mainly for experimental and children concerts.

After that, a key to read the program:
Tonkunstler - middle level large classical orchestra, local
Schlosskapelle and Wiener Mozart, programs geared to tourists
Capuçon/Levit - world class violin/piano duo
Wiener Sangerknaben - Viennese children choir, very tipical, maybe the best program
Wiener Symphoniker - the orchestra is top class, but this is a family concert

As for looking, I remember very clearly that the first row of seats is exactly at the same level of performers shoes. I remember clearly as when we go and play there we always recommend our orchestra to wear well polished shoes. Usually people do not complain as the stage of the Großer Sall has a very steep slope so performers are well exposed. But maybe you may consider a balcony.

By the way, why don't you consider the Fledermaus at Volksoper? You cannot get more Viennese than that. Yes, it will be spoken in German but the music is delicious.

By the way, why don't you consider the Fledermaus at Volksoper? You cannot get more Viennese than that. Yes, it will be spoken in German but the music is delicious.

There are surtitles in English on a display.

From the OP's post it is not clear why they want to attend a concert in the Musikverein, just because of (1) the beauty and acoustics of the Golden Hall, or because of (2) a deeper interest in classical music.

Case (1). I would go with the Mozart concert. It is definitely targeted at tourists, but that does not mean that the musicians are of low quality. What they play is for people not so attached to classical music.

Case (2). Consider a concert at Konzerthaus, where you can find heavier stuff, like symphonies of Bruckner and Mahler.

In any case don't sit in the very front rows, you will be looking upward all the time, resulting in a stiff neck.

The Volksoper is a great choice , and Fledermaus is quintessentially Viennese . If you want to push a bit into one of the great works of American Musical Theater , they are also presenting " Follies " by Stephen Sondheim and although in German , if you familiarize yourselves with the show before going you are in for a treat . I have been to numerous productions at the Volksoper , and they are always top notch . Just in case you do see " Follies" This article will guide you through its history https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Follies and here is a complete cast recording of the incredible score https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze5G4vE8Dis&list=PLNXSK9RU25sjplz2ephuk8UyWDdHF5HV8 Volksoper website https://www.volksoper.at/ EDIT unlike American Theaters where the size of the orchestras has been declining for decades , the productions in places like Vienna and Berlin , for example , the orchestras retain the original personnel complements .Quite an experience to hear the scores in the original incarnations

Thanks so much everyone for the info on Musikverein and also about the other venues for concerts! I am so glad to know which is the main music hall because that is the one we want to go to, plus all the other ideas about seats, etc.
We are very excited about our upcoming trip to Vienna and about hearing live music there!

Last year (november) I wanted to listen to a concert. Musikverein a great looking concertroom, BUT I left after few minutes the hall. So bad air. The concert was sold out. I guess, theres no air condition. Many people, bad air - I felt sick very fast.

I completely agree that a Mozart concert is worth it even though it is touristy. We're big watchers of the PBS broadcast of the annual New Year's concert, so it was great to be in that space. The concert was a lot of fun and the quality was on par or above what we are used to seeing at home.

BUT I left after few minutes the hall. So bad air. The concert was sold out. I guess, theres no air condition. Many people, bad air - I felt sick very fast.

This concert hall has been built way before airconditioning was invented. Retrofitting would impact the acoustics, known as the best of the world.