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
- 2024 dates: June 27-30, 2024
- …with a theme of Diversity
- See also:
Classical sound, Jugendstil surrounds
(Décor from the 2022 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. In 2023, the Vienna Boys Choir, the Janoska Ensemble, and pianists Ferhan & Ferzan Önder gave open-air evening concerts.
But the surrounding programme included an art exhibition, a family & fun day (with robots and a magic show, for example), the final of a violins&soul competition, and an official poster selected through an international prize design competition.
(The open-air stage in 2022; photo courtesy of and © AMADEUS Festival Vienna)
As such, the festival takes a broader inclusive, creative and (dare-I-say) youthful approach to classical music.
This reflects 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.
Dates, tickets & tips
The 2024 AMADEUS Festival Vienna is set for June 27th to 30th. Tickets are normally available through the website (see below).
The Janoska ensemble, design competition, and art exhibition return in 2024. A pianos&soul competition is planned, as well as an appearance by Ensemble “11” and music performed on historical instruments from the Goh family collection (which includes such names as Antonio Stradivari).
Check the official website for the full and updated programme, once available.
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.
However, 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, for example, 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