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<<  -- 6 --  David Wilkins    A VERITABLE WONDER

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Dietfried Bernet conducts the constantly varied orchestral palette with sureness but occasionally allows it to be unforgiving of the lighter singers. The house orchestra could not be expected to have the unmistakable glow of their Vienna Philharmonic counterparts in the city centre but they are a fine ensemble only lacking in the ultimate sheen of string tone.

John Uhlenhopp as Count Heinrich caged (it's a metaphor, stupid!) resisting all that Heidi Brunner's Eva wishes to bestow while the townsfolk grab an eyeful. Photo © Volksoper Wien/Dimo Dimov
John Uhlenhopp as Count Heinrich caged (it's a metaphor, stupid!) resisting all that Heidi Brunner's Eva wishes to bestow while the townsfolk grab an eyeful. Photo © Volksoper Wien/Dimo Dimov

It is a veritable wonder to have seen these two operas, neither a masterpiece but both deserving of more attention, on successive nights in a house that felt it owed them serious and dedicated exposure. Famed for Lehar, Kalman and the three-four-time Strauss, the Vienna Volksoper can be proud of this excursion along the backtracks. Guess what -- they're off up the mountains soon for what, unbelievably, will be the Viennese première of The Sound of Music. Where did I put my wimple?

The monument to Johann Strauss (one of the doyens of the Vienna Volksoper) in the Stadtpark (City Park) in Vienna
The monument to Johann Strauss (one of the doyens of the Vienna Volksoper) in the Stadtpark (City Park) in Vienna

Vienna, of course, remains a joy to visit at any time. There is currently a major Rubens exhibition at the Albertinum. You can, if you have the head for such things, ride the Prater Park's Big Wheel any day of the year and try to remember that quip about cuckoo clocks. The pretty horses do pretty things in the Hofburg. You can visit the consulting rooms where dear Doctor Freud listened to all those mucky stories that so inspire opera directors. Above all, the city is a yellow brick road of musical associations. Walk through the doors of St Stephen's Cathedral and just start to count the names of the greats who have done so before you. Take an abacus!

Copyright © 28 November 2004 David Wilkins, Eastbourne UK

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David Wilkins travelled to Vienna with Austrian Airlines who fly direct from many cities worldwide. He stayed at the very comfortable Hotel Strudlhof which is a short walk from the Volksoper. Wonderfully helpful press assistance was provided during this trip by Ines Griesser of the Vienna Tourist Board and by Karin Mrkvicka at Austria Tourism UK. Special thanks also go to Sabine Haberl, Presseabteilung, Volksoper Wien.

There are further performances of Alexander von Zemlinsky's King Candaules on 2 and 14 December 2004, and of Franz Schreker's Irrelohe on 1, 5 and 17 December 2004 at the Vienna Volksoper.

Eine Nacht in Venedig by Johann Strauss will be performed at the Volksoper on 18 January, 1 February, 5, 16 and 27 March and 12 and 18 April 2005. There are performances of Die Fledermaus on 3, 29 and 31 December 2004, 1, 11, 14 and 19 January, 7 March, 1 and 20 April, 30 May and 10 and 28 June 2005, and Wiener Blut ('Vienna Blood') on 4 and 10 December 2004, 12 and 22 January, 6 and 23 February, 4 March and 9 and 28 April 2005. Full details of all these performances at the Vienna Volksoper website.

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