The Vienna Boy's Choir
July 18, 2010

The Vienna Boy's Choir or Vienna Choir Boys is one of the best known boy's choirs in the world. As it's roots go back to the 13^th century it is also one of the oldest boy's choirs. In the 15^th century the Vienna Boy's Choir formed part of the court music of Maximilian I of Habsburg to provide musical accompaniment to the church mass. In 1924 the "Vienna Boys' Choir" was officially founded and has evolved into a professional music group. Since 1948 the Palais Augarten has served as their rehearsal venue and boarding school.

The Vienna Boy's Choir consists of approximately 100 choristers between the ages of ten and fourteen, who are divided into four sub-groups, each named after an Austrian composer, i.e. Mozart, Schubert, Haydn, Bruckner, who once were attached to the choir. The Vienna Choir Boys are dressed in their well-known blue and white sailor suits.

In recent years the Vienna Boy's Choir have given concerts under various great conductors as Leonard Bernstein, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Herbert von Karajan and others. They tour throughout the world, but also perform in Vienna. As the Vienna Boy's Choir forms part of the Chapel Imperial it performs from mid-September til the end of June every Sunday in the Imperial Chapel. In addition to this the Chapel Imperial has one annual concert in the Musikverein, conducted by guests.

The Spanish Riding School
July 13, 2010

Enjoy the haute école movements of classical dressage performed by the Lippizans at the Spanish Riding School. The traditional training methods were developed at the Spanish Riding School and are based on Xenophon, a Greek commander. Several other people, amongst them Frederico Grisone, the founder of the first riding academy in Napals, influenced the training methods throughout the centuries.

The training of a Lippizan takes an average of six years. There are three fundamental skill sets taught to the stallions, which are forward riding (Straight riding), campaign school (Campagne) and high-school dressage (Haute école). During the haute école the Lippizans learn the "airs above the ground", the movement for which they are famous for.

The Lippizan is a breed of horse that dates back to the 16^th century, also the century to which the first Spanish Riding Hall dates back. Contrary to the common belief Lippizans are not white but gray horses with dark eyes. Lippizans are born black and become lighter as they grow older, with the process being completed at between 6 and 10 years of age.

The Spanish Riding School offers you various events to experience the Lippizans in action. You can watch one of the performances, the morning exercise or attend a guided tour. In addition to this you can enjoy a cup of coffee at the Spanish Riding School's café or buy some souvenirs at the souvenir shop.

The world famous Spanish Riding School is situated right in the heart of Vienna's first district at the Michaelerplatz 1.

How to get there by public transportation: Tramway 1,2,D,62,65 get off at Karlsplatz/Oper

                                                            Underground: U1,U2,U4 get off at Karlsplatz/Oper

                                                                               U3 get off at Herrengasse

                                                             Bus: 2A get off at Michaelerplatz

                                                                     3A get off at Habsburgergasse

Opening hours: Visitor Centre at Michaelerplatz:

         Tuesday to Sunday 09:00-16:00 hrs (in May, June, September and October the Visitor Centre is also open at Mondays)

         Fridays (when there is performance) 09:00-19:00 hrs

Lippizaner
June 25, 2010

Das ist unsere süße Dasha im Café Prückel in Wien. In diesem ehrwürdigen Alt-Wiener Kaffehaus fühlt sich Mensch und Hund Wohl. Übrigens: Für Dasha braucht man in Wien keinen Kamfphunde Führerschein.

Lippizaner hat Baby bekommen!

 

Wetter in Wien
June 25, 2010

Heute ist in Wien schönes Wetter