The Choir Summer break is a time when choir members put their song sheets away. As an alternative, surrounding oneself by the many Vienna music attractions is a joy to behold.
Vienna music attractions in Stadtpark
As a matter of fact, it’s impossible to avoid the Vienna music attractions. Wherever you look, the presence of some of the greatest composers of all time still surrounds you.
In the municipal Stadtpark are statues of famous Viennese composers. Beethoven, Johann Strauss ll, Schubert, Bruckner and more, are all there.
Where’s Mozart I hear you ask? His magnificent statue is at the Palace Garden in Vienna.
Statue of Johann Strauss ll in Stadtpark Vienna
Strauss, dubbed ‘the waltz king,’ still has a profound influence on Vienna. I lost count of the number of times I heard versions of the ‘Blue Danube.’
Each time played by proficient street and park performers.
Not to mention every one trying to convince me to part with some of my euros. Preferably of the paper variety.
Furthermore, I also lost count of the number of wall plaques on almost every street in Vienna. They show that Ludwig van Beethoven had once resided at that particular property.
Beethoven Statue
German born, Beethoven moved to Vienna in his early twenties. His presence in Vienna is all-embracing.
He lived at more than 80 dwellings during the rest of his life there. It must have been a postman’s nightmare.
Vienna Opera House
Moreover, a visit to the Vienna Opera House is a must. A Tour Guide informs us that it’s the only Opera House in the world to perform a different opera on each day of the week.
The logistics are difficult to comprehend. We saw a team of 125 energetic stage hands prepare the sets and lighting rigs for that day’s performance.
Vienna Music Attractions at the Opera House
Our tour started at 10:15am and, at that time, the stage was bare.
An hour later the stages were fully set for a rehearsal. Ready for the performance of Wagner’s Götterdämmerung at 4:00 pm. Quite staggering!
Also nearby are more Vienna music attractions. The Musikverein is the home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
This concert hall also hosts the traditional Vienna New Years Day concert. The popular televised concert is now broadcast to over 90 countries.
‘The Third Man’
At the entrance to the Prater amusement park is the iconic ferris wheel. It featured dramatically in the Orson Welles movie ‘The Third Man.’
‘The Third Man’ Ferris Wheel
As a result, it’s hard to look at the ferris wheel without hearing the distinctive zither soundtrack to the film. Get yourself a comb and some tissue paper, and give it a go!
Written and performed by Anton Karas, also known as ‘The Harry Lime Theme.’ the recording became a world-wide hit for the virtually unknown Karas.
In summary, I was overwhelmed by the sheer extent of the Vienna music attractions.
Now, a time for confession. Every holiday has an ‘if only’ moment.
Furthermore, I had the opportunity to go and see the world famous Vienna Boys Choir.
A poster states that the choir would be singing at the Holy Mass in the Hofburg Chapel on Sunday at 8:00am.
What an opportunity. A chance of a lifetime, too good to miss.
If only I had set the alarm clock correctly!
Goodnight Vienna.
This revised Blog was previously published 5 years ago. Ed.
