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Vienna musical offerings in late August?

I will be on the Rick Steves' GAS tour next summer starting Aug. 11 ending Aug. 24 in Vienna, then staying on in Vienna until Sept. 2. I was hoping to see the world famous Vienna Opera and Philharmonic, but it seems they don't open the season until after I leave. Unfortunately, my dates are not flexible, as I am in Vienna to attend a conference, which is why I tacked on the GAS tour ahead of it. I also looked into the Vienna Philharmonic performing at the Salzburg festival, but unfortunately the one free night that the GAS tour passes through Salzburg, they are not performing! Can anyone provide consolation suggestions, as I'm sure that there are other lesser known but hopefully just as rich musical offerings in Vienna (and Salzburg). Thanks!

Posted by
4137 posts

Unfortunately , the timing , as you realize , is inauspicious . As well , it is too early to see if anything will turn up until next spring , sometime . Keep this website handy to look at the various venues in Vienna as the winter goes by , and keep checking . https://www.wien.info/en

Posted by
1875 posts

It is far too early now, but you may consult Austria's most comprehensive event directory from time to time: https://www.events.at/
It is in German only, but you can easily filter by location (e.g. Wien), date and type (e.g. Musik / Klassik).

In any event, you should try to book as early as possible; if you want to do it online, best is to use the website of the respective venue (and not a ticket office).

Posted by
380 posts

Hi- I was just in Vienna in late July, and while I was in the same boat in that all the orchestras were on holiday, I found that most churches had live music a couple of nights a week. During my five days there, I was able to catch two such concerts, one in the Mariahilf Kirche, and one in the beautifully austere, tiny, old Ruprechtskirche.

But I suspect these opportunities will be hard to find until you're there. What I would do is walk up to the churches you pass along the way and look at their noticeboards outside--there will be a list. Then just make note of them and come back at the appropriate time. These each were available for a small donation.

Posted by
1875 posts

As said, use the event directory to find concerts. Alternatively you may go to the offical TouristInfo (behind the opera, or at the airport or main train station) and get the event booklet for August, which lists not only all concerts, but any cultural event in Vienna for the given month.

For most tourists time is very limited, so walking from church to church to find information about concerts would not be a viable option for me.

During the summer (e.g. July/August) there are a lot of cultural events in smaller towns around and outside Vienna to compensate for the vacation of the big players (Staatsoper, Volksoper, etc.). On the left side of the Staatsoper (the Opera) on the opposite side of the street there is "Elite Tours" which offers you tickets combined with transport to event locations outside Vienna.