Arrive in Vienna on suggested flights and make your way to the hotel. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your travel arrangements, including flights, a private hotel transfer, accommodation before or after the tour and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

In the late afternoon, join your tour leader Scott Curry and fellow tour members for a welcome briefing, followed by dinner.

(D)

After breakfast, join Scott for a pre-performance talk about tonight’s performance. Then, join a private guided walking tour of the “Innenstadt” (old town). Discover the history of eminent buildings such as the Albertina Museum, the imperial Hofburg Palace and the Liechtenstein City Palace, a baroque palace with rare art collections and serene gardens.

Enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant followed by the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

In the evening, walk to the Vienna State Opera to attend a performance of Das Rheingold, conducted by acclaimed Swiss conductor Philippe Jordan. Alberich is sung by German baritone Jochen Schmeckenbecher and Scottish bass-baritone Iain Paterson sings in the role of Wotan.

(BL)

In the morning, enjoy a private, guided backstage tour of the Vienna State Opera. Discover the history and countless anecdotes of this eminent landmark of the Habsburg capital. Experience the grandeur of the main auditorium, known for its acoustics and opulent design, and take a behind-the-scenes look at the areas typically off-limits to the public.

Afterwards, stroll through the vibrant open-air Naschmarkt, and enjoy the afternoon at leisure to relax or explore Vienna at your own pace.

This evening, attend a performance at the Musikverein by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra under the baton of conductor Manfred Honeck, with acclaimed Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos.

ARTISTS
Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Manfred Honeck (conductor), Leonidas Kavakos (violin)

PROGRAM:
Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony No. 7 in A major, op. 92
Erich Wolfgang Korngold – Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D major, op. 35
Lera Auerbach – new work

(B)

After a pre-performance talk with Scott, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant followed by the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

In the evening, attend a performance of Die Walküre. Heldentenor Andreas Schager appears as Siegmund and Norwegian soprano Lise Davidsen as Sieglinde. The German-Italian soprano Anja Kampe takes to the stage as Brünnhilde.

(BL)

Today, embark on a journey to the Wachau Valley, a picturesque region nestled along the Danube River that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Celebrated for its terraced vineyards, medieval castles and charming villages, the Wachau Valley encompasses several towns and villages, including Krems, Dürnstein, Spitz and Melk.

Enjoy lunch at a local winery before returning to Vienna for an evening at leisure.

There is an opportunity to attend an optional ballet performance at the Vienna State Opera (not included in tour price and pending availability; additional cost applies).

(BL)

After a pre-performance talk in the morning, transfer to Jarosinski & Vaugoin silversmiths, whose on-site museum is dedicated to the history and art of silver craftsmanship. Founded by the Jarosinski & Vaugoin family in 1847, the museum showcases a collection of historical and contemporary silverware.

After lunch, the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.

In the evening, walk to the Vienna State Opera and attend a performance of Tchaikovsky’s opera Pique Dame with Russian-Austrian soprano Anna Netrebko in the role of Lisa.

(BL)

In the morning, transfer to Mozarthaus for an extended pre-performance talk, followed by a private guided tour of the house dedicated to the life and work of Mozart and where he lived between 1784 and 1787.

Spend the early afternoon at leisure before attending a performance of Siegfried. The roles of Siegfried and Brünnhilde are sung by Andreas Schager and Anja Kampe respectively.

(B)

In the morning, transfer to Baden bei Wien for a guided tour of this charming spa town located south of Vienna. Nestled in the scenic Vienna Woods, Baden bei Wien has been renowned for its thermal springs since Roman times. The town used to be a popular destination for aristocrats and artists, including Beethoven, who visited Baden frequently for therapeutic purposes. Enjoy a tour of Beethoven’s house, where the composer wrote portions of his famous Ninth Symphony, before lunch at a local restaurant.

In the evening, transfer to the Konzerthaus for a performance by Le Concert des Nations and La Capella Nacional de Catalunya conducted by acclaimed Spanish conductor Jordi Savall.

ARTISTS
Le Concert des Nations, La Capella Nacional de Catalunya, Jordi Savall (conductor), Lina Johnson (soprano), Olivia Vermeulen (mezzo-soprano), Martin Platz (tenor), Manuel Walser (bass).

PROGRAM:
Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony No. 8 in F major, op. 93
Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony No. 9 in D minor, op. 125

(BL)

In the morning, visit the Johann Strauss Apartments, dedicated to preserving the legacy of the “Waltz King” and his contribution to Vienna’s musical heritage. The apartments, where Strauss composed many of his iconic waltzes and operettas, are decorated to evoke the ambiance of 19th-century Vienna.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Then, in the evening, walk to the Musikverein for a performance by the Staatskapelle Berlin conducted by Christian Thielemann and featuring American soprano Erin Morley.

ARTISTS
Staatskapelle Berlin, Christian Thielemann (conductor), Erin Morley (soprano)

PROGRAM:
Richard Strauss – Orchesterlieder
Anton Bruckner – Symphony No. 6 in A major

(B)

After a morning at leisure, join Scott and fellow travellers for a special farewell lunch before the final performance of The Ring cycle, Götterdämmerüng. Gutrune is sung by Regine Hangler, Hagen by German bass-baritone Falk Struckmann and Walltraute by Hungarian mezzo-soprano Szilvia Vörös.

(BL)

Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your travel arrangements, including extra nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour, an airport transfer and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

(B)