Music Tips

Vienna Summer Opera. When Viennese opera houses close for the season an open air opera close by lets in an unexpected breeze of charm. At Klosterneuburg, a few July and August evenings transform the 900-year old abbey’s Imperial Courtyard into a musical theatre stage. In the past 25 years, its precious baroque façades have echoed tunes of Donizetti, Mozart, R. …

More than any other ball in Wien, the Vienna Opera Ball embodies social traditions of the old Imperial Austria. Not only does the Wiener Opernball constitute Austria’s largest meeting point for art celebrities, entrepreneurs and politicians but attracts celebrities from all over the world. Here is a guide of what to expect, an update on preparations under Covid-19 and how …

Guest Post, by Sam As old as the city is, some Vienna nightlife takes years off it. In case you find yourself in Wien, the nightlife is your best bet to get fully acquainted with the city. Since Vienna Unwrapped has talked about some of the best bars in Vienna  for the over 30s here I am going to take a look at …

Learning more about Viennese Waltz not just finetunes your ears and motor skills. You also get to know another UNESCO Immaterial Cultural Heritage. Like many young Viennese women I learned Wiener Walzer in dancing school when I was 15 and have since waltzed across a few Viennese ballrooms. To up your musical and ballroom dance knowledge this guide introduces you …

Curiously, classical music in plain daylight is harder to find than nighttime concerts in Vienna. If dinner, young children or simply sleepiness get into your way, visit Vienna daytime concerts. Most take place fairly regularly, either at lunchtime or in the afternoons or early evenings. 6 Ideas For Matinées and Lunchtime Concerts The most popular musical wake up calls are …

To enjoy classical Vienna concerts with small children pick events with the right format at the right time of day. Unless your kids are night owls they will probably be calmer during day-time concerts. As for the set up, also consider smaller ensembles of one to four musicians. Sometimes, a few instruments will captivate their attention more than a grand …

Grafenegg. For a fresh air of sophistication during a day trip from Vienna, head for Schloss Grafenegg. As a child I couldn’t get enough of the castle’s magical Christmas markets. Later on, my daughter and I enjoyed Grafenegg’s magnificent state rooms and a garden picnic in two of its deck chairs, on our way to Wachau Valley. And most recently, …

Vienna Music Experience. Where do you find the best classical music when in town? Honestly, it’s a bit like sightseeing: the best places to visit in my home city are easy to identify. But how do you get the most out of these places? And how do you get the most out of classical music, especially in the city of …

Beethoven in Vienna. Did Beethoven live in Vienna? In fact, Beethoven spent almost two thirds of his life in Austria’s capital. While Mozart spent just 10 years in Wien, Beethoven lived in the capital of music for 35 years. Becoming Viennese by choice, Beethoven’s nationality was actually German. With the Beethoven 2020 anniversary approaching fast, classical music fans should therefore …

What are the best music festivals in Vienna in 2023? As always in Vienna, do have your ear on the ground in this ‘city of music’. If you are serious about music why not pick a Vienna music festival and then treat yourself to a daily dose of gorgeous tunes? To help you do that I have pulled together a …