Classical music runs through the veins of this city. And not just those parts in the very centre. The AMADEUS Festival Vienna, for example, brings quality concerts to the 18th district.
- Top performers & surrounding activities
- Open-air concerts in former hospital grounds
- 2025 dates: Jun 26-29
- Book a concert experience* in Vienna
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Classical sound, Jugendstil surrounds
(Décor from an earlier event; photo courtesy of and © AMADEUS Festival Vienna)
Head northwest from Vienna’s centre, and you might eventually find yourself in the park-like grounds of the former Semmelweis women’s hospital, named for a pioneer in aseptic medicine. A bust of Ignaz Semmelweis (1818-1865) himself can still be found at the location.
The old hospital buildings retain their Jugendstil character and add a touch of turn-of-the-century charm to the area.
However, where once the discordant cries of newborn babies might have pierced the air, you’re likely to hear more melodious tones today…at least at the annual open-air AMADEUS Festival Vienna on the grounds and campus of what is now the AMADEUS International School Vienna.
(The entrance gates to the area hint at the cultured environment beyond)
The small, but prestigious, annual classical music festival has widened its scope since its beginnings in 2021.
A focus remains on public classical performances, of course.
Last year, for example, we had the Janoska ensemble, the final of a pianos&soul competition and an appearance by Ensemble “11” (which includes members of the Wiener Philharmoniker orchestra).
Italian violinist Lucilla Rose Mariotti performed on a 1709 Stradivarius, with more masterful violin coming from Nadja and Ljuba Kalmykova. And the surrounding programme included a family & fun day.
(The open-air stage; photo courtesy of and © AMADEUS Festival Vienna)
The festival takes a broader inclusive, creative and (dare-I-say) youthful approach to classical music.
This mirrors in part the event’s raison d’être; although its own project and event with ties to both the local district and wider Vienna, the festival reflects the school’s international orientation and strong arts and music component.
I imagine it does the students good, too, to witness top performers and experience event management on their own campus.
2025 highlights
The return of the Janoska ensemble and a violins&soul competition have already been announced for 2025 with a festival theme of Women&Culture.
Check the official website for full and updated info as schedules are confirmed.
Dates, tickets & tips
The 2025 AMADEUS Festival Vienna runs from June 26th to 29th. Last time out, tickets were available through the website.
The surrounding 18th district is a well-to-do outer suburb that drifts into rural hills and woodland at its edges. Not your typical tourist destination, given the lack of palaces and zoos.
Just up the road from the campus is the Durwahringbrücke bridge, opened in 1911. Stand on the bridge and look north for a view down a tree-lined street across to the Vienna hills.
A 20 minute walk further out from the festival takes you to the Geymüllerschlössel, for example. This external location of the MAK museum offers visitors the chance to explore a large Biedermeier-era house full of fittings and furniture from the early 19th century.
Walk on another 15 minutes or so and you find yourself in wine tavern (Heuriger) territory, with several such establishments lining Rathstraße and Neustift am Walde (home to an annual wine festival).
How to get there
Like just about anywhere in Vienna, the festival is well-connected to public transport.
Two tram routes pass just one or two streets away. For example, take the 41 to the Erndtgasse stop or the 40 to the Gersthof Herbeckstraße stop.
Both those trams leave from Schottentor station in the centre. They also meet up with the U6 subway at the Währinger Str., Volksoper station and the S45 city train at Gersthof station.
Address: Bastiengasse 36-38, 1180 Vienna