Classical Music Concerts and Dinners in Vienna

Austria's musical heritage and history is known the world over. The country was the birthplace of important historical figures such as Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Johann Strauss. Whether you are a classical music lover or just the slightest bit curious, a music concert in Vienna can be the impetus you need to discover a new passion. After all, what could be better than listening to some of the best performers in the world?

As you will soon realise, classical music in Vienna is part of the culture of its people, so enjoying an evening of music and concert is one of the bestthings to do in Vienna. Here are the most popular alternatives and my personal favourites - enjoy!

Schoenbrunn Palace is not only considered one of the finest palaces in Vienna, but also one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in all of Europe. Consequently, a visit to enjoy a concert evening in its fabulous grounds is one of the best things to see and do in Vienna in the evening. Due to the demand generated you will find several companies offering this experience to travellers, in a combined package that frees you from the need to plan the most important details linked to the evening.

• About the dinner: It is important to keep in mind that depending on the company you choose for the excursion, the dining establishment and conditions may be modified. Generally most tour packages offer a 3 or 4-course dinner in some of Vienna' s best restaurants located near the Palace. Some of the establishments frequently used for this service are: Café-Restaurant Residenz or Café-Restaurant Landtmann.
• About the concert: Concerts are usually given by the Schonbrunn Palace Orchestra, also known as the Vienna Baroque Orchestra. You will arrive inside one of the most beautiful concert halls in the city to listen to top Viennese musicians performing Mozart, Strauss or Vivaldi. Keep in mind that the concert programme may be modified according to the season, for example if you visit Vienna at Christmas time, you may find a concert more adapted to the festive season.

Please note that inside the music hall, seats are arranged by category, with VIP being the most expensive seats. It is advisable to coordinate in advance with the tour company to have concrete information about the tickets included in the price.

useful information

• Price: This type of experience is available from €80 per traveller; this is generally the price to pay for dinner and a general concert ticket. If you want a VIP ticket, please contact the company.
• Duration: You will need to book about 4 hours for the experience; you will have about 2 hours to enjoy the dinner and the concert will last approximately 1.5 hours. Depending on the company you choose, dinner may be scheduled to be enjoyed before or after the concert.

A visit to Schoenbrunn Palace is a must on any trip to Vienna, especially if it's your first time in the Austrian capital. This type of experience allows you to combine two of the best things to do inside the famous palace: a tour to admire the architecture and learn about the history of the place combined with the experience of a dinner and concert night.

Schönbrunn Palace and its beautiful gardens are the most visited tourist attraction not only in Vienna but in the whole of Austria; declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it was originally built as a summer residence for the emperors of the Habsburg dynasty, and as you can surely deduce, it is a place with an impressive history that housed figures of the stature of Marie Antoinette and Napoleon Bonaparte himself in its rooms.

About the guided tour...: this type of combined tours usually offer travellers a tour with an audio guide in their own language that allows them to go inside the Palace and appreciate, together with the narration, the most important aspects linked to the history and architecture of the place.

About the dinner: Although it may vary depending on the company you choose, generally a dinner of at least 3 courses is offered in a first class restaurant located very close to the Palace. Please note that the time of the dinner may be before or after the concert, depending on the itinerary previously set by the company.

About the concert: Classical music concerts are usually held in the hall known as the Orangerie inside Schoenbrunn Palace. The artists in charge of the performances are the talented musicians of the Palace Orchestra. It is important to keep in mind that the concert hall has seats graded by categories, some more expensive and others more economical.

useful information

• Price: This type of experience is available from €99 for an adult admission ticket; if you want a VIP ticket for the concert at Schoenbrunn it may cost extra.
• Duration: The minimum time you should book for this experience is 5 hours; as it includes several interesting activities to do in the city, I recommend it especially to those with a reduced itinerary who will be in Vienna for two days or three days.

Another way to enjoy Vienna's classical music dinner events and concerts is to attend the classical music events held at the Kursalon Hübner.

In addition to being one of the capital's main attractions, this building hosts an average of 500 concerts per year and welcomes an average of 200,000 visitors, many of them tourists who love classical music and similar events.

Please note that dinner and classical music events at the Kursalon sell out quickly, so it is advisable to bookin advance as soon as you confirm your travel date.

Completed in 1867, the Kursalon is one of Vienna's most elegant and prestigious concert halls. The building has a beautiful façade in Italian neo-Renaissance style, and its four halls host numerous events including classical concerts, gala dinners, balls, weddings, and classical ballet performances.

About dinner: Inside the Kulason is one of the best restaurants in the city; participants are usually offered a three-course dinner with several menus to choose from including traditional Austrian food; and almost always a drink such as wine to accompany it. However, keep in mind that some aspects may vary depending on the company with which you book the experience.

About the concert: It is necessary to confirm the programme in advance so that you know which works will be performed on the date of your trip. At specific times of the year, such as spring in Vienna or Christmas, concerts and performances may be more thematic. In the regular season you can expect to find a varied programme including the masterpieces of Mozart and Strauss, opera singers as well as world-class ballet dancers.

useful information

• Price: This type of experience is usually available from €100 per participant. The VIP ticket category may have a higher price as well as more facilities.
• Duration: You will need to reserve about 4 hours of your itinerary for this experience which takes place during the evening, usually around 6pm.

Musikverein is the name given to one of the city's most famous concert halls and the home of the Vienna Philharmonic, and is one of the most impressive concert halls in the world.

With a total of 6 beautifully decorated halls, it hosts numerous events throughout the year, including opera, ballet, classical concerts and much more. Consequently, an evening of dinner and classical music at the Musikverein may be the perfect way to end your excursion in this beautiful city.

The building, in neoclassical architectural style, was designed by the architect Theophil Hansen and opened in 1870. Its famous Great Hall, also known as the Golden Hall, is a famous chamber music hall that served as the impetus for classical music to flourish in Vienna; the famous Vienna New Year's concert is held here every Christmas.

About dining: The Musikverein has no restaurants in the complex, however due to its prime location you will find numerous top-notch restaurants in the surrounding area. Depending on the tour operator you choose, dinner may be scheduled at any of these luxurious establishments, the most common being the restaurant of the memorable Bristol Hotel.

About the concert: The performance programme may be modified depending on the time of the year, however one of the most famous and requested performances at the Musikverein is the concert dedicated exclusively to Mozart performed by the Vienna Mozart Orchestra, where the musicians wear allegorical 18th century costumes and wigs - truly spectacular!

useful information

• Price: The price to pay for this experience is over €100 per participant. VIP tickets to the concert hall will always cost a little more than general admission tickets.
• Duration: You will need to book a minimum of 4 hours for this experience; the concert lasts approximately 1.5 hours and the dinner an average of 2 hours in total.

If this is your first time at the opera or a classical music concert, consider the following tips to make your evening even more memorable.

More expensive is not always better

Although many might think otherwise when it comes to music venues, more expensive seats do not necessarily mean a better experience. Concert halls are intelligently designed spaces where acoustics are carefully considered, so the sound will be good wherever you sit. If you can't afford it, don't buy the most expensive tickets.

Arrive early

A big part of the fun of attending a classical concert in Vienna is the chance to soak up the atmosphere. The concert halls and palaces of this city are truly beautiful so it is totally worth arriving at least an hour before and getting to know the place. If the concert takes place at Schönbrunn Palace, a tour of the palace gardens is a must.

Keep quiet

One of the most important rules of etiquette during the concert is to sit, listen and enjoy in silence. If you have to speak during the performance, make sure it is in a whisper that does not disturb the other people in the hall.

Applause

There is a tradition to avoid clapping during performances but sometimes this rule is broken. If you are not sure when it is correct to applaud you can simply imitate the example of those around you.

Dress code

When attending a classical music concert, keep in mind that finding the right clothes for the event is part of the ritual and part of the fun. Take these tips as a general guide.

For the ladies: the time of the concert can greatly influence the clothes you wear; a morning concert allows for more relaxed clothing and even trousers; for an evening concert, a dress or skirt is usually recommended. Ankle-length or below the knee for younger women.

For gentlemen: for a daytime concert, trousers with a button-down shirt are usually sufficient, although jackets and ties are entirely optional, avoid wearing trainers. For the evening a blazer to match the trousers is a must and if you like the idea of a dinner jacket with a tie and bow tie is also a good plan.