Christmas in Vienna
Heralding the arrival of the holiday season on 20th and 21st December this year, Christmas in Vienna is a festive treat for any serious lover of music – something which has been enchanting audiences since it began in 1992. Over the years, the annual Christmas concert has seen the likes of Plácido Domingo, José Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti grace the stage of the Viennese Konzerthaus. Other world-famous musicians who have performed include Elîna Garanča, Juan Diego Flórez and Thomas Hampson. The 2019 concert will be no exception and feature many top talents from around the world.
Under the expert direction of Austrian-born Sascha Götzel, the concert will be held in the glorious Great Hall and will feature the highly-regarded ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra is well known for its exceptional and bold approach to music, frequently drawing from the classical and Romantic repertoire. It is also rightly seen as a forward-thinking ensemble which is just as capable taking on the modern masters and interpreting contemporary pieces.
Providing their choral expertise at this seasonal concert will be the Wiener Singakademie, a choir of some 150 years standing. From its inception until today, this illustrious choir has collaborated with most of the important conductors of the day, including some outstanding musical figures, such as Johannes Brahms. In addition, the Vienna Boys' Choir – which has around a hundred singers split into four groups - will be performing, augmenting the choral sound for certain pieces. Last but not least, the soloists Genia Kühmeier (soprano), Marianne Crebassa (mezzo-soprano), Michael Schade (tenor) and Bo Skovhus (baritone) will each add their special touch to this magical event.
With such great singers, two top-class choirs and a fantastic orchestra under a skilled conductor, this festive concert is not to be missed.