This may be a nearly impossible question to answer because it is so personal but if you could go see either an operette or a concert in Vienna, which one would it be.
I love classical music concerts and go to a few every year (in Montreal) but have yet to go to an opera so that is really interesting to me. The concert halls seem so beautiful though…
Any thoughts?
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Firstly, it depends when you go - in July and August the opera houses are closed and there are fewer classical concerts on in the city. There are some things on through the summer but they%26#39;re usually at different venues.
The rest of the time - September through June - there%26#39;s loads of music on all the time. The Vienna tourist office website has a database of events where you can plug in your travel dates and see what%26#39;s on during your stay - see:
www.wien.info/wtv/eventdatenbank-e.html
Note this runs up to the end of June 2009 at the moment- the programme for September 2009 to June 2010 will not be available until April/May this year.
How do you choose? I generally try to squash in as many music events as I can when I%26#39;m in Vienna. My personal preference is German-language operetta followed by some classical music / some opera. I choose by piece/performer as a rule.
If you%26#39;re in Vienna and you only have time to go to one event, it might be worth trying an opera or operetta, if you%26#39;ve not been to one before. Call me a philistine but the Musikverein Goldener Saal does nothing for me - except that the acoustic is great! You can easily do tours of the Musikverein and/or Staatsoper if you%26#39;re interested in seeing the grand interiors and hearing about the history of the buildings - they%26#39;re generally very interesting. But when there%26#39;s music to be heard I%26#39;m not that bothered about my surroundings, provided the seats are comfortable!
One thing to bear in mind - if you decide to try an opera, each seat at the Staatsoper has a mini screen with subtitles in English and German, if required. In the Volksoper, there is a surtitle screen above the stage giving an English synopsis of the action, which is used for operetta and musicals. It doesn%26#39;t seem to be used for opera in the Volksoper, however, whether sung in German or another language. I%26#39;m not sure of the reasoning behind that! But that%26#39;s something to bear in mind if you want a translation of the action. Personally, I prefer not to look at subtitles when listening to music, but usually you will have a choice.
Everyone has their own favourite things, and what you can hear depends what%26#39;s on when you%26#39;re there. But I think even opera duffers like me can enjoy Mozart%26#39;s Magic Flute or Figaro, and probably anything by Puccini is suited a novice (I like Puccini; I%26#39;m a novice - there you go!) Generally operetta is lighter and more cheerful - and also nice and soppy. Apart from a few standards like Fledermaus and Merry Widow, operetta aren%26#39;t often produced in other places so it%26#39;s something special to hear as part of a trip to Vienna. The Volksoper is the main house for operetta, though in July and August this year, when the Volksoper is closed, the Musiktheater at Schoenbrunn has production of Der Vogelhaendler, which is great fun. I%26#39;ll be making a special trip to hear that!
rol
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Rol, it totally grieves me to say this, but you%26#39;re a philistine! ;-)
Seriously, though, what a wonderfully comprehensive guide to the Vienna music scene and Opera for Beginners.
Norman
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Wow! Thank you for that response.
I will actually be in Vienna next week and can not afford the prices at Staatsoper. I was worried that I would miss out by going to Volksoper but I think the operetta is something I want to experience. The pictures from Staatsoper look so beautiful but maybe a tour will be enough.
Once I am there I will try and see if I have time to experience a classical concert (or two!)
Thank you again.
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Very glad to be of help - if you don%26#39;t mind taking recommendations from a self-confessed philistine ;)
Some good stuff on at the Volksoper next week - on Sat 21 and Sat 28 February both, there%26#39;s Magic Flute (heard that recently and it was great). On Tues 24 there%26#39;s Fledermaus, a real Viennese classic and an excellent cast of the VO%26#39;s top singers for that show (snort, wish I could go!) Thu 26 is Merry Widow, another Viennese classic - pretty good cast again though the Danilo is not my first choice (she said sniffily).
You can book tix online at www.volksoper.at (choosing seats from a seating plan); tix can be collected from the evening box office to save fussing about postage.
So I think you%26#39;ll be spoilt for choice!
rol
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Have you considered standing room tickets for the Staatsoper? They cost €3-€4 and are very popular giving the chance to see Grand Opera with good views for incredibly cheap prices.
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My friend living in Vienna took care of looking for tickets and such. I am very happy to say that we will be going to Volksoper next week on Tues 24 to see Fledermaus! Can%26#39;t wait!
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That%26#39;s great - I hope you have a fun night!
r
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I just returned from Vienna and I was able to see an opera (The magic flute) and a concert (Vienna Philharmonic) becuase I did standing room only at the Philharmonic on a sunday morning at 11:00. It wasn%26#39;t bad, and it was very busy in the standing room only. Go early and find a spot to lean. I was surprised how crowded it was. So, if you have budget concerns (and I am not sure why you are choosing between concert vs. opera) there is away around and you can do both. However, if you only have one night, or some other time constraint, then it does get down to personal preference.
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