Attend two spectacular performances – Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Puccini’s La bohème – in Vienna’s celebrated State Opera House
Relish the playing of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and Artis-Quartett in the city’s glittering Musikverein
Stay at the five-star Hotel Bristol, located just a few minutes’ walk from our music venues and bursting with historical charm
“The operas were terrific and the seats excellent”
“It was an excellent five day tour. The arrangements before the tour took place were exceptional”
“A magical tour which combines Vienna’s culture with classical music”
- ACE customers on the 2022 Opera in Vienna tour with Richard Wigmore
“Vienna is a handsome, lively city, and pleases me exceedingly”
– Frédéric Chopin
Vienna has probably inspired more music than any other city. Rich in history, culture and romance, it was the capital of a vast multi-ethnic empire for several hundred years. Many of the world’s most celebrated composers lived and created works of musical genius among the city’s glorious surroundings.
Our winter tour to Vienna offers performances based in the city’s opera house, which enjoys a famous heritage all of its own: Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth attended the inauguration of ‘Vienna Court Opera’ in 1869, and in the 20th century the site underwent extensive restoration following bombardment during WWII. Over the years ‘Vienna State Opera’ – as it became known – developed rewarding relationships with composers including Gustav Mahler and Herbert von Karajan, and today’s visitors appreciate a uniquely historical yet forward-looking atmosphere.
We are delighted this year to be attending two of the most famous operas in the world: Mozart’s timeless work of romance, comedy and enchantment, The Magic Flute, and Puccini’s deeply evocative La bohème, filled with glorious melodies that bring its passionate and poignant narrative to life. Meanwhile at the sparkling Musikverein – where we also plan to take a guided tour – we will enjoy concerts with the award-winning Artis-Quartett and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, who bring us works including Pavel Haas’s atmospheric String Quartet No 2 and Bruckner’s majestic and ‘Romantic’ Symphony No 2.
Complementing the performances, daytime visits will take in musical sites including the Beethoven Museum, as well as Vienna’s architectural and artistic treasures from the sweeping Ringstrasse to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, which houses one of the best fine art collections in the world. There will also be an opportunity to experience the delights of Vienna’s celebrated Christmas markets, magical yet temporary wonderlands, whose presence in the city dates back to the Middle Ages.
We are delighted that the group will stay throughout at the glorious five-star Hotel Bristol, based in a beautiful historical Art Nouveau building with Art Deco interiors originally opened in 1892. With elegant, classically decorated rooms, the hotel is situated next to Vienna State Opera and a five minute walk from the Musikverein.
This tour will be led by Richard Wigmore, MA, AGSM, a writer, broadcaster, lecturer and former professional singer. In addition to leading tours for ACE, Richard frequently appears on BBC Radio 3’s Record Review and contributes to Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine among other journals.
6
£3295
OPVI-23
