Plus appréciés Attractions à Vienne

Built between 1874 and 1878 by Karl Hasenauer and Gottfried Semper, Burgtheater is one of the most famous theaters in the German-speaking world. "The Burg," as the Viennese have dubbed it, was never just a theater but also a sacred place where heated debates took place about the function of art and culture. Older people still remember the golden years of actors and actresses like Paula Wessely, Alexander Moissi and Helene Thimig, but modern times sees a diverse program of theater, concerts and special events, including the annual Vienna Literature Festival.

The magnificent Opernhaus am Ring, famous first and foremost for its annual high society ball, hosts productions of the very highest quality by the likes of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the State Ballet Company and a host of world famous opera singers and directors. However, the opera house started its days on a less auspicious note, with architect Eduard van der Nüll committing suicide in 1868 because of intense public criticism of his design. The Opera House opened with Mozart's Don Giovanni in 1869, and has been going strong ever since.

At the jubilee celebrations of Emperor Franz Josef on December 14,1898, the present Volksoper was officially opened as the Emperor's Jubilee Capital Theater after a strenuous ten months under construction. Primarily meant as a theatrical stage, after 1903 it became a traditional Opera house. However, it was only a year later that the title Wiener Volksoper appeared for the first time on the program. Due to excessive damage in World War II, it is now rated the third Bundestheater behind the Staatsoper and the Burgtheater.

Named after the banks of the Wien River, which once flowed beside it, Vienna's largest theater still retains its past glory. Its Empire Style design, a memorial Papageno gate and scenic surroundings make it a romantic venue to catch some stunning performances. Listen to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra bring Mozart and Beethoven back to life. Among other big names that grace the stage, are Angelika Kirchschlager, Rudolf Buchbinder, and Maurizio Pollini. With Mozart 2006 , the theater celebrates the 250th anniversary of the composer's birth. Music also takes on a humorous note with acts, such as "I Hate Mozart", so there seems to be something for all classical tastes here. Check the web site for upcoming events and tickets.

A visit to the Konzerthaus is a must for all classical music fans. Opened in 1913, it has outstanding acoustics and attracts some of the world's best orchestras. The Vienna Philharmonic traditionally starts the season on New Year's Day with a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Over the following 12 months, more than 700 different concerts take place in the four concert halls; the majority are classical, but there is also a handful of jazz and world music events such as the Internationale Musikfest. A highlight of the classical music season is the annual Frühlingsfestival (spring festival).

In 1870, the Stadtsaal served as a ballroom for the town events. Now, this historic structure is a popular event venue and showcases a wide range of events including cabarets, comedy shows, musical and theater plays. In case you feel hungry after the entertaining evening, you can hop on to the lounge and restaurant housed inside Stadtsaal. So, leave your worries at bay and allow yourself to be entertained by the spectacular acts hosted here.