I'd really like to go to some sort of concert/preformance when we're in Vienna this September. I've found 2 places, but I'm afraid they might be "tourist-only" kind of things.

Has anybody been to a concert at either of these?
Orangerie Schönbrunn
Kursalon Wien

Is either of these a good choice? Is there another choice I haven't found?

~Liz

Hello Liz:

You might check out this site:

http://viennaconcerts.com/

If you enjoy opera, the State Opera in Vienna is a fine choice. Gradyghost

There are operetta performances in Baden, which is about an hour by local train south of Vienna. We quite enjoyed "die Zirkusprincessen" at the Staadttheatre in Baden's Kurpark. The quality of singing, dancing and language-transcending performance is quite high. We were able to travel there in the early afternoon, walk around Baden, have a ham sandwich and beer in town, stroll to the Kurpark, see the performance and return by the evening train by about 11-11:30 pm, in time for a pizza and beer near our hotel. We were able to purchase tickets in advance on the web. I can't find the link to the Staadttheatre, but here's a baden link. http://www.operettaheaven.com/Operet...n_Austria.html

Thanks, but what I'm looking for is a critique of the places I mentioned, or other Strauss concerts NOT aimed at American tourists, and in Vienna.

~Liz

The Orangerie Schönbrunn is a very simple venue - this a former winter arden for keeping varios plants of the ardens sfe in the winter. Mostly flat floor, so those toward the rear have less than great view.
Music is Ok but certainly nothing special. If you are a great strauss fan perhaps not the best place. Yes, aimed for the tourists.

The Kursalon a little better. Very nice venue, in the park and a mixed show of music and dance. Music better than the Orangerie in my opinion.
In Vienna, beware of the people selling concert tickets dressed in " period " costumes and often finding you very near tourist sites like the Hofburg, Stephansdom etc.
High pressure ticket sales tactics to mostly overpriced and less than reat concerts.
have a look to the Volksoper -
They offer some Struss Operettas in September . Also good offerings of Lehar and Zeller.
Excelent music and ensemble there.

www.volksoper.at

Operetta in Baden is good but this is often offered in summer - the summer season will end in the very beginning of September.

You can also look to offeringsd of the Musikverein

www.musikverein.at

or State Opera

www.st

Just noticed that the State Opera website was partially deleted. Also sorry for the spelling errors above,- perhaps just too long of a weekend as Thursday was a Holiday here and many make the most of the longer weekend possibilities.

correct site

www.staatsoper.at

But it does not seem to have something that you look for.But have a look.

I should add that the Kursalon built in the 1800s was a place where Struass actually performed - so a part of his history.
In the StadtPark nearby is the famous Strauss Statue seen in so many photos.

Thank you molker! That's exactly the imformation I was hoping for.

~Liz

I went to a concert at the Kursalon in Dec. 07. I really liked it. The outside was all lighted up for the holidays and was magical looking but apart from that I really enjoyed the concert and as I sat there you could imagine you were really listening to Strauss.

You are welcome

Die Fledermaus by Strauss offered numerous times during September at the and classic operetta by Strauss and if possible to visit, I highly recommend it.

Fantastic music a little dancing, some comedy makesa great evening -
usually with english language subtitles too or program gives a good summary -

elberko - are you looking for J Strauss or R Strauss?

We're back from our trip!

I was leaning towards going to the Musikverein, but the concern the night we were able to go was not in the main hall, so we opted for the Kursalon. Yeah, it was touristy, but we really enjoyed it! A really nice evening in Vienna.

~Liz

Great that you take some time to make these comments as the question of the concerts seems to arise relatively often.