We are interested in attending a couple of classical music concerts in Vienna in October and would appreciate advice about where to go. Which orchestras or ensembles are particularly good, and which venues are particularly worth seeing? Any useful advice -- for example, about where or when to get tickets -- is appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by
New York
1203 posts
I am going to Vienna in September and I bought tickets to see three musical performances. This may or may not help you as I have not gone yet. But maybe you would like to know about this.
I bought a ticket to see Vienna Royal Orchestra Concert www.musicofvienna.com On this special evening the Vienna Royal Orchestra Concert takes place at the large fest hall of the Haus der Industrie instead of at the Imperial Hall. In the best Viennese tradition the Vienna Royal Orchestra will perform selected classical masterpieces, accompanied by two pairs of dancers and selected singers of international renown.
website www.musicofvienna.com is the website I used.
I also bought a ticket for The string quartet Mozart Ensemble presents selected works of viennese classic chamber music in the familiar atmosphere of the richly decorated Sala Terrena at the convent of the Deutscher Ritter Orden. The same place where Mozart himself, under the supervision of bishop Colloredo used to work and lodge. I bought the ticket on line.
And I bought a ticket to see the Spanish Riding School performance. -- No this is not a classical musical concert, but I think it may be worth mentioning as it is supposed to be a wonderful performance. I bought a ticket directly from their box office and called the box office directly.
I bought one ticket for Die Fledermaus - at the Volkopera. Again I bought the ticket directly at the Volkopera box office. I called the box office in Vienna. Now Die Fledermaus is I believe not being performed in October but you may want to check out the Volkopera to see what they will be showing. Again, not a classical musical concert.
I almost bought a ticket to a concert in one of the churches. It looks really good, but I just did not have the time for this concert. You may want to check out church concerts as they can be very good. You can buy the ticket on line or you can wait till you get to Vienna and if you have free time, buy the ticket there.
I went directly to each venue and bought the tickets either on line or directly called Vienna and bought a ticket. They email you the ticket and you print it out and then go to the venue with your e ticket.
I hope this helps.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5382 posts
In Vienna, there are tourist concerts and then there are world class concerts. Many famous venues will host both types, so it can be hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. If you can provide your exact dates, it would be easier to make recommendations.
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1528 posts
In Vienna there are two top orchestras: WIener Philharmoniker and Wiener Symphoniker.
Wiener Philharmoniker are based at Musikverein, and are actually a selection of players from Staatsoper doing a few concerts on their own; they consider themselves the top orchestra of the world (Berliner Philharmoniker do not agree) but due to their reduced activity tickets for their few concerts may be difficult to get.
Wiener Symphoniker would be one of the top orchestras as well, were not for the competition of Philharmoniker in their own city. They are based at Konzerthaus and highly recommended. RSO (Radio Symphony Orchestra) is not bad either.
Both Musikverein and Konzerthaus host a lot of concerts - the halls are rented literally by the hour, so they host concerts going from the very top to not particularly distinguished. Brahmssaal at Musikverein is a chamber music hall.
Opera has three venues: Staatsoper is one of the top opera house of the world, it has a very intense activity and is also highly recommended. The orchestra in the pit is mostly composed of Wiener Philharmoniker members.
Volksoper does mainly operettas and light operas. I cannot think anything better than attending an operetta at Volskoper.
Theater an der Wien is an indipendent opera house, its activity is not as dense as Staatsoper or Volksoper but they have a lot of experimental or baroque production, so the quality is as good or occasionally higher than the two main houses.
These are the main concert and opera circuits - I am talking of the top ones, not including the tourist circuits.
Posted by
OP
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
29 posts
Emily,
We will be in Vienna for the evenings of October 14 through October 20. We are interested in wheat, rather than chaff. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5382 posts
Vienna Boys Choir Mass on Sundays
Tonkünstler-Orchester Niederösterreich at the Musikverein on Oct. 15 and 16
Le Nozze di Figaro at the Vienna Staatsoper on 15, 18 and 21 Oct.
That's the good stuff.
Posted by
St. Louis MO
731 posts
How do you get tickets for mass when the Vienna Boy's Choir sings?
I would be all in the the Marriage of Figaro!
Posted by
Green Bay
20085 posts
At the Imperial Chapel in the Hofburg. Click the information icon to get to the ticket website.
Edit - Clicking through everything in German, you get to this in English:
http://www.hofmusikkapelle.gv.at/downloads/InfoE_payment.pdf