Vienna concerts, opera, operetta, theatre and sightseeing tours

Schönbrunn Palace Vienna

Great Gallery

Measuring over 40 metres by 10 metres, the Great Gallery provided the perfect setting for court functions such as balls, receptions and banquets. The tall windows and the crystal mirrors facing them on the opposite wall together with the white and gold stucco decoration and the ceiling frescoes combine to form a total work of art resulting in one of the most magnificent Rococo interiors in existence. The central panel of the ceiling frescoes by the Italian artist Gregorio Guglielmi shows the prospering of the monarchy under the rule of Maria Theresa. Enthroned at its centre are Franz Stephan and Maria Theresa, surrounded by personifications of monarchical virtues. Ranged around this central group are allegories of the Habsburg Crown Lands, each with its resources.

Since the foundation of the republic the room has been used for concerts and official receptions. In 1961 the legendary encounter between the American president John F. Kennedy and the Russian head of state Nikita Khrushchev took place in this room.
Address:

Schloss Schönbrunn
A-1130 Vienna

Schönbrunn Palace Vienna

Orangery

The Orangery Schönbrunn offers the most suitable ambience for the Palace Concerts. For as long as the time of the Habsburgs the Orangery was a place of musical and artistical festivities. During one of these events, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri competed in a musical contest at court. A contest still considered unique in
music history.
Address:

Schloss Schönbrunn
A-1130 Vienna

Schönbrunn Palace Theatre

Since the 17th century occiasional drama performances took place in the park of Schönbrunn, but there was no permanent building until Empress Maria Theresia commissioned Nikolaus Pacassi to construct the Palace Theatre. It opened in 1747 in the western side wing of the Palace where then the empress watched her children dance, perform and stage tableaux vivant.

When Napoleon established his headquarters in Schönbrunn, the theatre was renovated. It reopened in 1809 with Racine’s "Phaedra". At the time of the Congress of Vienna singers of the Kärntnertor theatre performed there for the royal majesties then present in Vienna.
The theatre was used during the summer months under the reign of Ferdinand I when the Burgtheater (court theatre) performed mainly comedies.
 

Address:

Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunner Schlossstraße 47
1130 Vienna