Opera & Art in Vienna

A FOUR NIGHT HOLIDAY | 15 MAY & 22 JUNE 2023

Vienna was the undisputed centre of musical life from the mid18th century until the early years of the 20th. As the capital of the vast Habsburg empire, the city attracted an impressive list of composers, artists and musicians, while its streets were adorned with grand architecture and magnificent palaces accommodating world-class art collections. We will explore the best of the city’s art galleries and museums, from Old Masters at the Kunsthistorisches Museum to the works of the Vienna Secessionists at the Leopold and the Belvedere, as well as including a performance at the splendid Vienna State Opera.

the itinerary

On arrival we transfer to the 5* deluxe Hotel Bristol in the centre of Vienna where the tour is based.

We start our visit at the Belvedere Palace with its collection of works by Austrian artists, including Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss. Afterwards we will drive round the Ring, which encircles the old city and is lined by the great buildings of state. Later we visit the Leopold Museum with its collection of works by Austrian artists including Klimt, Schiele and Kokoschka.

Today we visit the Mozart House where he wrote Le Nozze di Figaro and which is now a museum dedicated to his life in Vienna. We will also go to the Stefansdom Cathedral and then to the Kunsthistorisches Museum to see the Old Masters there.

The day is spent at the Hofburg - the palace from which the Habsburg empire was managed. Later we visit the Austrian Museum of Applied Arts (MAK), a rich collection of the decorative arts including furniture, textiles and jewellery with rooms dedicated to Biedermeier, art nouveau and arts & crafts.

We will depart for the airport at noon for the flight back to London.

TOUR INFORMATION

DEPARTURE DATE & PRICES

DATE PRICE SINGLE SUPP

15 May £2,362 £496

22 June £2,550 £596

Our prices are per person, based on the shared occupancy of a twin/double room. Supplement for single occupancy as shown.

FLIGHT DETAILS

Flights with British Airways: Depart Heathrow 10.20, arrive Vienna 13.50 Depart Vienna 16.45, arrive Heathrow 18.05 Flight times subject to change – regional departures available on request.

WHAT WE INCLUDE

• Return flights • Four nights’ accommodation with breakfast • Two dinners & two lunches • One opera ticket (stalls) and synopsis • All sightseeing, entrance fees and gratuities • The services of a Kirker Tour Leader

MUSIC PROGRAMME

Please choose one of the following two operas. If you would like to attend a second performance, tickets cost £230 (face value €195). 17 May: Don Pasquale by Donizetti First performance given at the Theatre-Italiens, Paris on 3 January 1843. Conductor Francesco Lanzillotta leads the Italian baritone Michele Pertusi in the title role, American reigning queen of coloratura. Brenda Rae as Norina, the Canadian tenor Josh Lovell as Ernesto and Michael Arivony from Madagascar, currently a member of the Opera Studio at the Vienna State Opera. 18 May: Tosca by Puccini First performance given at Teatro Costanzi, Rome on 14 January 1900. Margarethe Wallman’s much loved classic production was first seen more than sixty years ago in 1958. Giampaola Bisanti conducts a starry trio of singers - Maria Agresta, Piotr Beczlala and Bryn Terfel. 23 June: Madama Butterfly by Puccini First performance given at La Scala, Milan on 17 February 1904. Sonya Yoncheva sings the role of the betrayed Cio-Cio-San and Charles Castonovo is Pinkerton, the man who destroys her. Anthony Mingella’s production comes to Vienna by way of London and New York. 24 June: Double Bill Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni First performance given at Teatro Costanzi, Rome on 17 May 1890. Daniel Harding conducts Asmik Grigorian as the wronged Santuzza and fast rising Chilean superstar Jonathan Tetelman is Turiddu, the man who pays with his life for deception. Pagliacci by Leoncavallo First performance given at Teatro del Verme, Milan on 21 May 1892. Asmik Grigorian sings the role of Nedda and Yonghoon Lee is Canio.