Vienna in July - Mozart & Strauss

Nothing ever requires formal or black tie except a ball.

All quality music is on vacation for the summer. You’re stuck with tourist fare.

Go to the Rathaus at night to eat and enjoy a performance on the large screen - that’s the closest you’ll get to quality.

The Musikverein, one of the most renowned venues, does not follow the traditional July/August summer break anymore:
https://www.musikverein.at/en/programme
Among other events, the Vienna Mozart Orchestra performs at several evenings in the Golden Hall, with different conductors and varying artists.

Use the link given for booking your tickets.
Do not buy concert tickets on the street from people in Mozart costumes.

Wmt1 - The Wiener Mozart Orchestra plays in costume for tourists. It is no VPO. The Musikverein and Opera rent out their venues to this type of fare in the summer. Am I missing something?

@Emily
The Mozart Concerts at the Musikverein are a touristic event, for sure. But the orchestra consists mainly of members of the Vienna Philharmonic and the Vienna Symphonic in varying combinations, the singers have performed at the Volksoper and the Staatsoper. This guarantees a certain level of quality and professionalism. The Musikverein would not like to have a bad press about one of their events, either.

(It is a good way for the artists to make some extra bucks during the holiday season.)

There are other Mozart events in Vienna dedicated to tourists which are really questionable. Friends of mine had been trapped into a performance of the Vienna Walzer Orchestra performing at Palais Palffy. They were very disappointed, although they are not aficionados of classical music.

Just out of curiosity, any time of the year, is there a venue which has some how avoided the tourist crunch? I've been to a few performances in Vienna (Musikverein and Opera) and they were both packed with tourists who it seems were there either to say they were there, or part of a tour, or "for the experuence"; but very few appeared to have any musical appreciation. Maybe it's better on certain nights? Or maybe there is refuge in certain parts of the theater?

But you have to admit it is beautiful https://www.google.com/search?q=Musikverein&tbm=isch&tbs=rimg%3ACShEaasN3G-9IkD7voUxTzTxnpgVjghyTUpf16k1UP2CILofxOkkD1_12MuLVRNSiOiwuWCfJ1d3qRMS2QuTb3zxCHIx421bEjglmKhIJ-76FMU808Z4RcYZhCbZRV18qEgmYFY4Ick1KXxFAo4QJR-XDSCoSCdepNVD9giC6ET82zGWwrDoNKhIJH8TpJA9f9jIRkjOs9nnAMIkqEgni1UTUojosLhFXwpsJhx6nlCoSCVgnydXd6kTEEf0lAZ3TenTnKhIJtkLk2988QhwRe3gSgn0BimMqEgmMeNtWxI4JZhFinQRYOK3Z5Q&prmd=mniv&hl=en&ved=0CBIQuIIBahcKEwigqenHrJLjAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQEA&biw=360&bih=572#imgrc=C1r_pajAo4b-uM

Viennese are season ticket holders at the Opera, Musikverein, Konzerthaus and Volksoper. You will definitely find tourists at these locations, but Viennese will be in the majority and these performances are for locals and music lovers.. If during the season, then the musicians will be at the highest level. Off season is questionable.

I must have just picked a couple of unlucky Fall evenings, cause it was a bit of a disappointment with tourists talking, leaving early, complaining, etc. I'll try again some day.

I’ve never ever had that experience at the legitimate performances mentioned in the venues above. The Viennese don’t put up with this behavior at their performances and would have shut that down. What did you see and where as I’m surprised?

Nowadays every performance starts with a reminder that you should switch off your mobile phone, and that taking photographs or videos is prohibited. This is widely ignored by (especially Asian) tourists.

Thank you, everyone, for the discussion. I did purchase tickets through the Musikverein - Something called Summer Time in Vienna -which will be in the Grosser Musikvereinssaal. The only description is, "Wonderful melodies and songs of the world." I'll let you know how it goes! :-)

Enjoy! I strongly encourage you to also have dinner at the Rathaus while you’re here.

Thank you, Emily! We will most definitely hit the Rathaus! We will be in Vienna for two weeks - one of which my husband will be involved in meetings. Hopefully he will have some of those evenings free, as well.