Culture and Entertainment
Zuletzt aktualisiert (Mittwoch, 09. September 2009) von karocz
Find out what there is to do and see in Vienna!
Vienna is commonly considered to be one of the cultural capitals of the world. In fact, the Vienna State Opera is one of the best opera houses worlwide, and the Burgtheater has an excellent reputation throughout the German speaking world. But maybe you will find your favourite evening programme in one of the smaller theatres. Check out the programme in daily newspapers, monthly theatre programmes, or online.
With your student ID, you can often get reduced tickets (EUR 6-11) half an hour before a performance starts at publicly owned theaters (e.g. Burgtheater, Akademietheater, Theater in der Josefstadt, Kammerspiele, Volksoper), and standing places for EUR 1,50 (Burgtheater and Akademietheater). To be sure, enquire beforehand to see whether you should line up earlier than that.
The digit before the street name refers to the district number. (7 = 7th district “Neubau” etc.) To find addresses, just refer to http://maps.google.com and enter the street name and number plus post code (for 7, 1070; for 16, 1160, etc.).
Scroll below to see more info on:
• Burgtheater
Modern performances of old and new plays of various styles.
1, Dr.-Karl-Lueger-Ring 2 | +43 1 514 44 2959
• Theater in der Josefstadt
Vienna’s charming old theatre with high quality productions.
8, Josefstädter Straße 24 – 26 | +43 1 427 00 300
• Volkstheater (People’s Theatre)
Modern performances of old and current plays
7, Neustiftgasse 1| +43 1 52 111
• Schauspielhaus
Modern and innovative performances
9, Porzellangasse 19 | +43 1 317 01 01
• Raimund Theater
Musical performances.
6, Wallgasse 18 | +43 1 588 85
• Ronacher
Musical performances.
1, Seilerstätte 9
Performances in English and en français:
• Vienna’s English Theatre
Hosts performances in English, and occasionally in French.
8, Josefsgasse 12 | +43 1 402 12 60
• International Theatre
9, Porzellangasse 8 | +43 1 319 62 72
• Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera)
Arguably one of the most renowned opera houses world-wide, the Haus am Ring stages approximately 50 different operas and 20 ballets every season, which runs from 1 September to 30 June. For cheap standing places you have to queue up approx. 2 hours before the beginning on the left side of the building (Operngasse), and even earlier if you aim to see “super stars” such as naturalized Anna Netrebko.
In September and October 2009, selected performances are being broadcast live on an LED video wall on Herbert von Karajan Platz (on the western side of the Opera).
1, Opernring 2 | +43 1 514 44 2959 | U1, U2, U4 Karlsplatz (exit Oper)
• Theater an der Wien (Theater on the Wien river)
Used to stage musical productions for several years, but in 2006, the 250th anniversary year of Mozart's birth, the house presented a series of major Mozart operas and it has since become a full-time venue for opera and other forms of classical music under the direction of Roland Geyer, whose three main areas of focus are on Baroque opera, contemporary opera, and Mozart. Highly recommended!
6, Linke Wienzeile 6 | +43 1 588 85 | U1, U2, U4 Karlsplatz (exit Sezession)
• Volksoper (People’s Opera)
Opera, operetta and musicals. For a musical lesson on Viennese humor, go and see Strauss’ famous Fledermaus operetta. Unlike Staatsoper, Volksoper is usually not sold out and upon presentation of your student ID, reduced tickets (EUR 10) can be purchased 20 min before the performance starts.
9, Währinger Straße 78 | +43 1 514 44 3670 | U6 Währinger Straße - Volksoper
www.volksoper.at
• Wiener Musikverein
This house stages the best classical concerts in Vienna in a number of different concert halls, among them the famous New Year’s Concert in the Golden Hall. Standing tickets are also available.
1, Bösendorferstraße 12 | +43 1 505 81 90 | U1, U2, U4 Karlsplatz (exit Musikverein)
www.musikverein.at
• Konzerthaus
Very broad repertoire – classical, baroque, jazz and contemporary music.
3, Lothringerstraße 20 | +43 1 24 20 02 | U4 Stadtpark
www.konzerthaus.at
• Tanzquartier Wien, Halle G
Contemporary dance performances.
7, MuseumsQuartier, Museumsplatz 1 | +43 1 581 35 91 | U2 Museumsquartier
www.tqw.at
Though famous for classical music, Vienna features excellent jazz clubs.
• Jazzland
Vienna’s oldest jazz club, not far from Bermudadreieck.
1, Franz-Josefskai 29 | +43 1 533 25 75 | U1, U4 Schwedenplatz
www.jazzland.at
• Porgy & Bess
Jazz and music club with a varied program, staging Austrian and international acts. Recommended.
1, Riemergasse 11 | +43 1 512 88 11 | U3 Stubentor
www.porgy.at
• Tunnel Vienna Live
Cosy restaurant with live music in the basement every night, most nights for free. Jam sessions every Monday, check out their website for more info.
8, Florianigasse 39 | +43 1 947 57 20 | Tram 5, 33, 2 Albertgasse, Bus 13A Lederergasse
www.tunnel-vienna-live.at
• Café Concerto
Down-to-earth bar with live music (blues, jazz, singer-songwriter) on three different floors.
16, Lerchenfelder Gürtel 53 | +43 1 4064795 | U6 Josefstädter Strasse
www.cafeconcerto.at
In summer (late June/early July), even the Vienna State Opera is turned into a jazz venue during the Jazz Fest Wien festival.
There are about 100 museums and galleries in Vienna. A complete list can be obtained for free at any tourist information. Here are just a few special tips:
• Museumsquartier (MQ)
Museumsquartier is a recently finished museum complex hosting different kinds of independent museums. All together, it is one of biggest museums of Europe. The main focus is on contemporary art and art of the past century.
• Architektur Zentrum Wien (Center of Architecture)
• Art Cult Center “Tabakmuseum” (Tabacco Museum)
• KUNSTHALLE wien (exhibitions of contemporary arts)
• Leopold Museum (painting by Klimt, Kokoschka and Egger-Lienz)
• MUMOK Museum moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig Wien (modern art)
• ZOOM Kindermuseum (Children’s Museum)
7., Museumsplatz 1| 0820 600 600
www.mqw.at
• KunstHausWien
Permanent Hundertwasser exhibition. Regular exhibitions of avant-garde and classic modern artists.
3., Untere Weißgerberstraße 13 | +43 1 7120 95
www.kunsthauswien.com
• Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum)
The "Kunsthistorische” is one of the leading museums in the world. A wide range of master pieces illustrate the history and development of art. It also features a widely renowned Breugel collection. We advise you to visit the Egyptian exhibition as well. And please don’t forget to look at the building!
1., Maria-Theresien-Platz
www.khm.at
• Museum für angewandte Kunst (Museum of Applied Arts/Contemporary Arts)
Highlights: selection of works from the Wiener Werkstätte, 20th century architectural models, Bentwood furniture (M. Thonet), etc.
When you go there, please check out the "Frankfurter Küche”. It was the first modern kitchen, designed by the Austrian star architect Margarethe Schütte-Lihotzky.
1., Stubenring 5
www.mak.at
• Bank Austria Kunstforum
A small museum organising exhibitions of international art mega stars. Nature, Music, Technology.
1., Freyung 8
Nature, Music, Technology
• Haus des Meeres (House of the Ocean)
6., Esterházypark
www.haus-des-meeres.at
• Naturhistorisches Museum (Museum of Natural History)
1., Maria-Theresien-Platz (just across from Kunsthistorisches)
• Haus der Musik (House of Music)
An interactive museum, HDM invites you to a discovery trip into the world of music.
1., Seilerstätte 30 | +43 1 516 48
www.hausdermusik.com
• Technisches Museum (Museum of Technology)
14., Mariahilfer Strasse 212 | +43 1 89998 6000
www.tmw.at
There are a lot of cinemas in Vienna, and in fact, especially the Megaplexes are getting more and more. Therefore the German speakers of you will have a great choice, for the others we list the cinemas that show films in original version and the most charming cinemas of the city. You can find the programme in the daily newspapers such as Presse or Standard, or under www.film.at (which also offers a search engine that lets you look for OV performances only).
Important abbreviations:
OmU Original version with German subtitles
OmengU Original version with english subtitles
OV Original version
In some cinemas you get a discount with your student ID or the EURO<26 card.
Telephone reservation or sometimes even online reservation are possible and you should do this especially on Mondays and weekends. The ticket prices depend on which row you choose but in general they are between EUR 6 (first few rows) and EUR 9 (last few rows). On Mondays and in many cinemas also on Wednesdays, tickets are cheaper than usual.
Cinemas showing original versions
• Artis International
American Blockbusters in the first district. Located between Judenplatz and Hoher Markt.
1., Schultergasse 5 | +43 1 535 65 70 | U1, U3 Stephansplatz
www.cineplexx.at
• Burg Kino
Regular performances of “The Third Man” and American Movies.
1, Opernring 19 | +43 1 587 84 06 | U1, U2, U4 Karlsplatz
www.burgkino.at
• Filmcasino
European films and American B-Movies.
5, Margaretenstraße 78 | +43 1 587 90 62 | U4 Pilgramgasse
http://filmcasino.at
• English Cinema Haydn
American Blockbusters.
6, Mariahilferstraße 57 | +43 1 587 22 62 | U3 Neubaugasse
Votivkino
European Films and American B-Movies.
9, Währingerstraße 12 | +43 1 317 35 71 | U2 Schottentor
www.votivkino.at
• Künstlerhaus
Old and impressive.
1, Akademiestrasse 13 | +43 1 505 43 28 | U1, U2, U4 Karlsplatz (exit Bösendorferstraße)
www.kuenstlerhaus.at/kino
International Bookshops and Press
• Morawa
Maybe the best and biggest bookshop in town. They have an incredible offer of international press.
1, Wollzeile 11 (Flagstore)
and at other locations
• Gerold & Co
Books in English, French, Spanish and Italian.
1, Graben 31
• Big Ben Bookshop
9, Servitengasse 4a
• American Discount
7, Neubaugasse 39
• La Libreria (Spanish)
18, Genzgasse 128
• Bateau Livre (French)
9, Liechtensteinstraße 37
International press is available at most of the tobacconists, a wider range is offered in the train stations. At WU library, you can read the world’s most important newspapers free of charge. Also, some traditional coffee houses such as Café Hummel provide a good choice of international press to enjoy for free along with your Melange or Einspänner.