Wien Østerrike Culture
Vienna has been one of the most important centres of culture since Middle Ages. It is most famous, however, as the musical capital of Europe. Viennese theatre, opera, classical music enjoyed unique dominance over the development of culture in Europe.
Among the esteemed maestros, being the city's pride, are Strauss, Schubert, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Schönberg and Mahler. Here Mozart created his operas, and Strauss composed the Blue Danube waltz and such operettas as Der Fledermaus (The Bat).
The city's venues are rated among the best in the world, and feature luxury and grandeur of imperial Habsburg epoch. Among them are Staatsoper and the Burgtheater, some of the most important theatres in the German-speaking world. Volkstheater Wien and Theater in der Josefstadt are also very popular. Multitudinous smaller theatres serve as venues for arthouse plays, experimental performances and cabaret.
Classical concerts have probably the richest traditions in the city. Wiener Musikverein is the home of Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The repertoire is to great extend dedicated to the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Strauss. Many churches in the historical part of the city feature choirs, masses with classical music and organ. Volksoper is the city's main stage for operetta performances.
The comprehensive spectrum of art galleries would fascinate any visitor. Kunsthistorischen Museum covers the period from 1600s to 1900s. Other collections, such as Albertina Collection, highlight more specific periods. The city was the birthplace of Art Nouveau movement, whose Baroque roots granted the trend almost endless variety of flowing and curving lines and fluctuating colours.
Now it is swirling cosmopolitan art centre, attracting young talents from all over the Europe. The city's unique artistic ambiance and rich history provide unique setting for exchange of ideas and intriguing artistic competition.