Article by Program Consultant Candice Klinikowski.
At the Hofburg Palace in Vienna, Austria
“Music and everything I loved was in the stones of Vienna, and in people’s glances and their behavior, the way pure feelings are part of one’s very heart.”
– Sándor Márai, Hungarian writer
In the eastern end of Austria lies the musical gem of Vienna. This city, known for its waltzes and operas, is home to more famous composers than any other in the world. Every day, nearly 50 operas & 20 ballets are performed while 10,000 music enthusiasts are treated to live classical music nightly. The city is so music-focused that within the course of one year, Vienna hosts more than 15,000 events of various sizes and genres.
The Mozart Statue in the Burggarten, near the Hofburg Palace in Vienna
The Soul of Genius
“Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.”
– Marriage of Figaro, Mozart
The City of Music derived its history back in 1756 with the birth of Wolfgang Amadaeus Mozart. Mozart’s musical education began at age 4 with his father, a professional musician and music teacher. By age 5, Wolfgang was declared a child prodigy and performed his first European tour. He impressed the imperial family during a performance at the Austrian royals’ summer palace, Schloss Schönbrunn, at just 6 years old.
Here I am at the Schönbrunn Palace!
Mozart made Vienna his permanent home at age 25 & moved into Mozarthaus two years later with his new family. This is where he composed the famous opera, “The Marriage of Figaro” (Die Hochzeit des Figaro). You can now visit Mozarthaus, which has been turned into a museum dedicated to the composer. Other esteemed composers include Beethoven, Haydn & Schubert.
Die Wiener Staatsoper
“It is hard to describe the thrill of creative joy which the artist feels when the conviction seizes her that at last she has caught the very soul of the character she wishes to portray, in the music and action which reveal it.”
– Maria Jeritza, Austrian opera singer
Not only is Vienna home to prestigious composers, it also houses one of the most famous opera houses in the world, the Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera), due to its vast repertoire. The exterior of the opera house was planned by Viennese architect August Sicard von Sicardsburg while the interior was designed by decorator Eduard der Nüll. Construction took eight years to complete & the house opened on May 25, 1869 with Mozart’s Don Juan.
The Vienna State Opera House, or Wiener Staatsoper
Productions took place almost daily until 1938 when the Nazi regime overtook the city, forbidding the music. Further devastation occurred on March 12th, 1945 when the opera house was struck during a bombing. Fortunately, the main façade, grand staircase & Schwind Foyer evaded any harm but the reconstruction would take 10 years to complete. During this time, the Vienna State Opera operated out of two different venues, giving true meaning to the phrase, “the show must go on.”
The opera house reopened on November 5th, 1945 to Beethoven’s FIDELIO, which was broadcast across Austrian television in celebration.
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