Hi everyone, I've been researching opera performances for the dates we'll be in Vienna (August 7-August 8) and noticed that the Vienna Opera House seems to be shut down in August! Are there any other operas we can watch that you all are aware of? I'm not even sure where to search or I'd do so myself.
Thanks in advance!
The opera is traditionally shut down in July & August. There are many other musical performances available though
The Vienna Opera orchestra and Wiener Philharmoniker are very much the same persons working under different names, and in August they will be performing at the Salzburg festival.
You will not find high quality music events live in Vienna in August as this is when performers flee the city either performing at festivals outside of Vienna or take a break. Of course, the normal tourist concerts are still on with costumes and wigs. The opera house rents its space out during the month of August to some of these outfits.
You can do an event search on the Vienna tourist board website.
I would recommend instead that you spend one of your evenings at the Rathaus where you can eat dinner and watch a high quality performance on the giant screen. It's what we do here in the summer.
One of my favorite things I did in Vienna was to attend church where the Vienna Boys Choir sings. I have loved them since I was child - it was amazing.
Unfortunately, the boy's choir is also off in August.
There is a fee - how much depends on where you want to sit. If you want to sit on the main floor where they perform at the end of mass and where the altar is the seats are €36,00. For front row seats in the balcony section they are €26,00 . The remaining balcony tickets are less expensive and were available at the ticket office the morning of - on a first come first served basis. They may be available in advance - I do not know for sure but I did not see them on the website. Link below
For the duration of the mass the boys are in a loft in the rear f the church so you really do not see them - but you really do not need to - their angelic voices echo throughout the church. At the end of the mass they come down to the front of the alter and perform one song. It was an unbelievable experience for me and I was moved to tears several times (I am a big baby). The boys are charming and humble, I thanked one for his lovely performance and he posed for a photo with me.
You absolutely must pay and should buy you tickets in advance if you want a guaranteed spot. It is obviously a popular thing to do, and as it only happens once a week in a small venue, you should plan accordingly.
The theaters being closed in July and August is a tradition in the region. They need time to prepare new productions and there was no AC in the old days. I love music but detest tourist shows so when I must be in the region at that time of the year I check out the jazz theaters. In Budapest it would venues like the Opus Jazz Club or the Budapest Jazz Club, but I am certain that Vienna will have plenty to choose from. Trivia: what was one of the functions of those giant chandeliers in the opera houses.
I do not believe the Hofburgkapelle has regular parishioners. I think it is solely a venue for the Vienna Boys & Mens Choirs and the Vienna Orchestra Mass.
It seems to me that yes people in the balcony did go downstairs for Communion.
The Boys & Mens Choirs sing during the Mass. The Boys come down in front of the altar and perform one song at the end of Mass. They are available for photos afterwards.
