First Stop Vienna, Part 1

Love the hair LVB

The first stop on my great adventure will be Vienna.  With only three weeks away to the start of my journey, I've been learning about the city, its attractions and history.  

This first of two posts on Vienna will concentrate on music, opera and theatre.

Vienna is a city of contrasts; imperial grandeur with magnificent  palaces, impressive museums, imposing churches, and the home to classical music to the current contemporary architecture and charm.  Vienna was the born home or creative home to the greatest composers of all time; Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Haydn, Strauss and Brahms. 

Composers

My friend Kathleen, a trained opera singer, said Mozart is her man but for me it is Beethoven. Why Beethoven over all the rest?  As a heavy metal music fan, Beethoven is the heaviest and most abandoned composer.  His 5th symphony should only be listened to at 11 (those in the metal world will know what I mean).

He lived during a time of social change and died at the age of 56 in 1827. Beethoven was born in Bonn, Germany and moved to Vienna in 1787 to study with Mozart. After meeting with Beethoven, Mozart said, "Keep your eyes on him (Beethoven); someday he will give the world something to talk about." 

Beethoven was an innovator, expanding the scope of symphonies by combining vocals and instruments in a new way.  His personal life was marked by a struggle with deafness and a domineering drunken father.  Some of his most important and extensive musical works were written during the last 10 years of his life when he was completely unable to hear.  

His first recital was even a bit of a subterfuge by his father. Wanting his son to "one up" Mozart as a musical prodigy, Beethoven's father said his son was aged six when in fact he was seven.  Throughout his life Beethoven consistently said he was born in 1772 instead of 1770.  

Opera

Staatsoper

All my research has said The Staatsoper is a "must see" attraction. The Staatsoper is the Vienna State Opera House opened in 1869 with Mozart's Don Giovanni.  Hit by World War II bombs in 1945 it was almost entirely distorted.  It reopened in 1955 with new technology but the basic 1869 design with three box circles and two open circles were maintained.  

The opera house seats 2,880 and is the focal point of the Vienna Opera Ball, a highlight on the social calendar for Vienna's creme de creme. Since I'll be visiting in summer, I'm sure there will be a concert I can take in. 

Theatre

There are several theaters in Vienna. The Burgtheater is one of the most important theaters in the world, and choosing the director was determined on political and culture traditions of the time.  Plays are still scrutinized by the public and will trigger positive or negative reactions.  The Raimundtheater is named after the Austrian playwright Ferdinand Raimund, specializing in operettas.  The Vienna English Theatre was founded in 1963 and is the oldest English-language theatre in Europe. The Schauspielhaus has been offering literary readings, light operas and contemporary dramas since 1978.  

Burgtheater

My Vienna Part II post will provide insight on Vienna's rich culture and history. If you like my blog, please subscribe to it by clicking on the link in the right nav bar and be sure to check out my favorite links for travel and ESL information. Wiedersehen für eine Zeit.