Summer party with “Schattenwesen” – wien.ORF.at

In terms of content, an arc should be drawn from French Romanticism to Impressionism. “For the first time we have included the work of Lily Boulanger in the programme,” announced Daniel Frochauer, Director of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. “A moving depiction of nature by the young composer and first woman winner of the famous Prix de Rome in 1913.”

This composition will be devoted to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This was signed 75 years ago and reinforced 30 years ago at the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights with a concrete program of action (for human rights). Froshawar stressed that “a clear commitment to human rights is more important today than ever before.”

“Shadow Objects” on the facade of the palace

The program also includes works by Hector Berlioz and Maurice Ravels – such as his most famous work, “Bolero”. The youth troupe of the Vienna State Ballet will dance to the stage’s tune – and appear as “shadow beings” on the facade of the palace. At the end of the concert, as is customary, there will be a tribute to the city of Vienna with the waltz “Wiener Blot” by Johann Strauss.

French-Canadian conductor Yannick Nzeit Seguin conducts the Summer Night Concert for the first time. It is also the debut of Latvian mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča – as the soloist singing three arias from Carmen Georges Bizet, Sappho Charles Gounod and Camille Saint-Saëns Samson and Delilah.

Strollers and animals are prohibited

After New Year’s Eve, the Summer Night Concert is the world’s most broadcast classic event. This year it can be seen in more than 80 countries. The concert starts on Thursdays at 8:30 pm. Visitors are highly advised to arrive by bike or public transportation. Bicycle parking spaces will be set up on the Schönbrunn Palace Bridge.

Hietzinger Tor and Meidlinger Tor should only be used to access the palace gardens, with exceptions for invited guests and people with reduced mobility. It is forbidden to take chairs, picnic blankets and strollers with you, as escape routes must be kept clear. Animals are also not allowed to the concert.

The Greens demand a quota for women

The Vienna Greens criticized beforehand that the ceremony would again be officiated by a man. Since the beginning of the Summer Night Concerts in 2004, no single woman has performed, and Elena Granet is the fifth soloist in nearly 20 years. The Green Party is therefore calling for the City of Vienna’s funding of the concert to be linked to gender quotas in the future.