Visiting the Strauss & Mozart Concert
When Is the Best Time to Attend?
- The main season runs May–October, overlapping with Vienna’s long summer evenings and festival energy.
- Shoulder-season dates in April and November offer lighter crowds while preserving the full 40-piece orchestral line-up.
- December features special Advent and New-Year programmes—these sell out weeks ahead; book early if you plan a holiday trip.
What Should You Know Before Arriving?
- Doors open 30 minutes before the 18:30 curtain; aim to be seated 10 minutes prior to the first down-beat.
- Performances last about 90 minutes including a brief intermission—ideal before or after dinner.
- Dress code is smart-casual; evening attire is welcome but not obligatory.
- Cloakrooms are complimentary; oversized luggage and selfie-sticks are not allowed.
- Photography is permitted only during applause; video recording is prohibited.
- Wheelchair seating and companion places exist in all venues—request them during booking.
The Concert Experience — Programme Highlights
- Lively Strauss waltzes such as The Blue Danube and effervescent polkas like Feuerfest.
- Favourite Mozart overtures and arias—from The Magic Flute and Don Giovanni to The Marriage of Figaro.
- Operetta gems by Kálmán and Lehár that add Viennese charm and a touch of humour, including the orchestra’s traditional “musical jokes”.
Seating Layout & Ticket Categories
- VIP — premium-centre rows or front-row balcony; often paired with a complimentary programme, venue tour, or CD.
- Category A — front and mid-parquet or first-ring boxes offering a balanced view of stage and hall.
- Category B — rear-parquet or side balcony; budget-friendly yet excellent thanks to the halls’ famed acoustics.
No matter the category, online vouchers convert to seat numbers at the entrance, so you avoid any ticket-window wait.
Orchestra & Soloists
Up to 40 musicians share the stage with internationally recognised opera singers and ballet soloists drawn from Vienna’s foremost opera houses, producing the shimmering Viennese sound for which the city is renowned.
Iconic Venue Spaces
Ceremonial Hall — Hofburg Vienna
A neoclassical throne room finished in 1806, once used for imperial balls and Emperor Franz Joseph’s annual foot-washing ceremony. Today its crystal chandeliers and Corinthian columns form a majestic frame for Strauss’s waltzes.
Festival Hall — Hofburg Vienna
The Hofburg’s largest hall (≈1,000 m²) showcases frescoes bearing Emperor Franz Joseph I’s motto “Viribus Unitis” and gallery portraits of Austrian historical figures. Originally planned as a throne room, it now hosts gala concerts and New-Year events.
Mozart Hall — Konzerthaus Vienna
With 704 seats and world-class acoustics, this intimate chamber is a favourite recording venue for top orchestras. Balcony and stalls seating ensure every phrase—whether a delicate woodwind solo or a thunderous brass fanfare—resonates perfectly.
History & Significance
Johann Strauss II premiered many of his waltzes in the capital’s dance halls, while Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart spent his most productive decade in Vienna, redefining the classical concerto and opera. Their music has become the city’s cultural calling-card, echoing nightly from salons, cafés, and concert halls.
Haus der Musik — Classical Concerts
Set within Vienna’s interactive sound museum, Haus der Musik hosts intimate evening concerts that bring chamber music to life just steps from the State Opera.
Performances typically feature small ensembles or soloists, creating a close-up experience where every detail of the music is heard with clarity.
Visiting Haus der Musik Concerts
- Season: Concerts run year-round, with additional dates in spring and summer.
- Arrival: Doors usually open 30 minutes before start time; plan to be seated 10 minutes early.
- Duration: Around 70–90 minutes including a short interval—perfect to pair with dinner nearby.
- Dress: Smart-casual is standard; evening wear is welcome but optional.
- Accessibility: Step-free access is available; contact in advance for wheelchair spaces and companion seating.
Programme Highlights
- Mozart serenades, divertimenti, and beloved arias in chamber arrangements.
- Sparkling Strauss waltzes and polkas tailored for smaller ensembles.
- Viennese classics by Schubert, Haydn, and Beethoven; occasional solo piano or violin recitals.
- Popular encores that celebrate Vienna’s musical heritage.
Seating & Ticket Categories
- Premium/Front Rows: Reserved seating with the clearest stage view.
- Standard/General Admission: Unreserved seats; arriving early helps you choose your preferred spot.
Mobile vouchers are scanned at the entrance; in many cases, seat numbers (if applicable) are assigned on arrival.
Venue Notes
Address: Seilerstätte 30, 1010 Vienna. The concert space is cosy and acoustically focused—ideal for chamber works.
Many guests enjoy combining a daytime visit to the museum with an evening performance in the same building.
Getting There
- Underground: U1/U2/U4 Karlsplatz (exit “Oper”) or U1/U3 Stephansplatz; both are about a 5–10 minute walk.
- Tram/Bus: D, 2, 71 to Schwarzenbergplatz; short walk along Seilerstätte. Bus 2A serves nearby stops.
- Taxi: From Stephansplatz, the ride is typically under 10 minutes in light traffic.