Has anyone been to the Vienna Walzer Orchestra Performance In the Figaro hall of the Palfly Palace? I am considering buying tickets for our trip in October but it sounds a little hokey and touristy. Or do you have a recommendation for a great concert in Vienna?
What about The Mozart House?
Posted by
Sammamish, WA
403 posts
If you are interested in a serious concert, the Vienna Musikverein is the home of the best classical music in Vienna. Tickets will be expensive, but the quality of the Vienna Philharmonic is among the best in the world. There are many other groups offering crowd-pleasing concerts. These tend to be a bit touristy, but the quality is usually pretty good. They can be perfectly enjoyable unless you are a purist, in which case you should go to the Musikverein.
Keep in mind that the Vienna Opera has one of the best symphonic orchestras in the world. The members of the Vienna Philharmonic are chosen from the opera orchestra. Seeing an opera is an extraordinary experience which includes outstanding musical performance.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
There's nothing wrong with the for-tourist-only ensembles that abound in cities like Vienna, Salzburg and Prague, especially if you don't regularly listen to classical music. Their performances are more than competent. However, they tend to play a fairy restricted repetoire of crowd-pleasers for a the cost of a cheap ticket. Expect a lot of "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik", "The Four Seasons" and Strauss waltzes. If you want to hear the likes of Mahler or Sibelius, though, go with the Vienna Philharmonic and anticipate paying a lot more.
Posted by
Stuttgart, Germany
3049 posts
The Mozarthaus is not the best put together museum, and it's kind of pricey. But it's Mozart's HOUSE so for me it was worth it, just for the historical significance. Just don't expect to learn too much.
Posted by
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A.
127 posts
I attended a good program of classical quartets at the Mozarthaus, but the place is a dump. The entrance is the sole point of entry and exit , the chairs are of a cheap wooden cafe style (that are not really acceptable. I think that the place is a fire trap.
Posted by
Atlanta
967 posts
If you are in Vienna on a Sunday morning, you can check to see which masses are being sung in the major churches. There is usually some glorious music to choose from.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
"If you are in Vienna on a Sunday morning, you can check to see which masses are being sung in the major churches." Good point. Ditto for Prague.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
517 posts
You have received some excellent advice from everyone. I would only add: Don't forget that during the opera season they have incredibly inexpensive standing tickets at the famous Staatsoper. Schedule can be found at:
http://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/Content.Node/home/index.php