Strauss & Mozart Concert – The Anniversary

As part of the concert series "Mozart & Strauss Concerts" by the Vienna Hofburg Orchestra, special emphasis is placed on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. However, in 2026, we will not only celebrate Mozart's 270th birthday but also the 245th anniversary of his "Viennese Freedom." In June 1781, Mozart made the bold break with his Salzburg employer to live in Vienna as one of the first free composers in history. Without this step, we likely would never have received his great Viennese operas such as The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, or The Magic Flute in the form we know them today. Under the direction of Daniel Auner, the Vienna Hofburg Orchestra will present a special selection of works from Mozart's time in Vienna, as well as popular pieces by the Strauss family, Emmerich Kálmán, and Franz Lehár.

The program: Under the direction of Daniel Auner, this concert will focus on Mozart's works from his time in Vienna starting in 1781. This will be complemented by works from Josef and Johann Strauss, lively arias and duets from operas and operettas by Emmerich Kálmán and Franz Lehár. In true Viennese tradition, as intended by Johann Strauss, the musicians have also prepared a few musical jokes to delight the audience.

Hofburg Vienna – Festsaal
The Festsaal is the largest hall in the Vienna Hofburg, covering almost 1,000 m². The impressive ceiling paintings by the artist Schramm depict the motto of Emperor Franz Joseph I, "Viribus Unitis" (With united forces). In the lower lunette and octagonal fields, Eduard Veith and Viktor Stauffer immortalized personalities from Austrian history. The Festsaal was originally designed as a throne room but was never used in that capacity, as the monarchy ended before its completion.