Vienna celebrates Beethoven - Philippe Jordan and the Vienna Philharmonic

When Bach was in the service of Prince Leopold in Coethen, he had his own orchestra and was contracted to compose a great deal of instrumental music. This gave him an opportunity to try new techniques and to develop his own instrumental style. The six Brandenburg Concertos belongs to these masterpieces for a small ensemble. This joyously infectious performance of these famous landmarks in the history of music by the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra demonstrates both the musical satisfaction and the high professional standard that can be reached with period instruments. The performance was given in the Bach Anniversary Year 2000 – 250 years after his death – in the elegant Hall of Mirrors at Coethen Castle. The Freiburg Baroque Orchestra’s members all have virtuoso skills. They take the spotlight gracefully for solos but also play with the true ensemble spirit required by the music. Their decision to perform without a conductor revives an eighteenth century practice.

In 2020, for the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth, Philippe Jordan and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra recreated the mythical evening of December 22 1808, when the composer presented his Sixth Symphony, also known as his Pastoral.

The Vienna State Opera is staging Otto Schenk's production of Gaetano Donizetti's "L'elisir d'amore" (The Elixir of Love), which combines humor and drama with a happy ending. Maria Nazarova sings the role of Adina and Bogdan Volkov sings the role of Nemorino. Already extremely popular during Donizetti's lifetime, this opera buffa tells the story of the young farmer Nemorino, who is in love with the wealthy landowner Adina. With the help of a love potion from the charlatan Doctor Dulcamara, he hopes to win her heart.