This beautiful building from the early 18th century once hosted works by Mozart when the ink on the sheet music had only just dried. Palais Auersperg remains one of Vienna’s baroque jewels.
- Originally built in 1710
- Strong musical connections to the likes of Mozart and Gluck
- Used as an event/concert location in modern times
- Book a concert experience* for Vienna
- See also:
- Concert venues in Vienna
- Baroque Vienna
- Mozart locations
A baroque palace
(Queueing for a concert at the palais)
Palais Auersperg began life around 1710 as Palais Rofrano. The change in name came about toward the end of the same century following the building’s purchase by Prince Johann Adam Auersperg.
At one point, the palais fell into disrepair, but coffee magnate Alfred Weiss (subject of a 2022/2023 exhibition at the Jewish Museum) bought the premises in the mid-1900s and had them turned back into an architectural delight and society hotspot.
Today, the palais is one of many gorgeous historical buildings in Vienna not open to the public as such. At the time of writing, it serves as an event location.
(Palais Rofrano as Palais Auersperg was then known, around 1725; drawn by Salomon Kleiner, engraved by Johann August Corvinus, and published by Johann Andreas d. Ä. Pfeffel; Wien Museum Inv.-Nr. 15694; excerpt reproduced with permission under the terms of the CC0 licence)
Mozart, Gluck and WWII
Like many city townhouses, Palais Auersperg played its particular part in Austrian history.
Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth danced here, for example, and one of the leading groups in the Austrian freedom fighter movement met inside as World War II drew to a close.
On the music side, a former occupant – Field Marshall Joseph von Sachsen-Hildburghausen (1702 – 1787) – was a patron of Christoph Willibald Gluck.
The Field Marshall employed Gluck as Kapellmeister (musical director) for several years. And we know that in 1786, for example, Palais Auersperg hosted at least one performance of Mozart’s opera, Idomeneo.
We can’t be sure, but it seems likely that Mozart would have graced the occasion with his presence. It’s more certain, however, that he made alterations to the work specifically for the palais production.
Those were the days when formal concert venues like the Musikverein did not exist. Instead, musical performances often took place in the private homes of the rich and aristocratic.
(A little like Beyoncé penning a new song and then turning up at your house to give a rendition.)
The names of one or two rooms reflect this musical connection. The Rosenkavaliersaal, for example: they say one of the main characters in Richard Strauss’s opera, Der Rosenkavalier, took its inspiration from the family who first built Palais Auersperg.
And today?
The tradition of live classical music continues at the palais with regular Imperial Gala performances* featuring musicians from the Vienna Mozart Orchestra, as well as singers and ballet dancers.
(A lithograph of the composer Christoph Willibald Gluck by Rudolf Hoffmann, printed by Joseph Stoufs and published by F. Paterno around 1850–1860; Wien Museum Inv.-Nr. W 2209; excerpt reproduced with permission under the terms of the CC0 licence)
Tickets & visitor tips
As mentioned, the palais is not open to the public outside of the (many) events within. The Imperial Gala Performances take place several times a week, depending on the season and also has the option to include dinner.
(Booking service provided by Tiqets.com*, who I am an affiliate of)
For more baroque architecture to view, have a look at my introduction to the era. The overview links to many Viennese palaces, townhouses and churches from that time period.
How to reach Palais Auersperg
The palais is quite central and very close to such sights as the parliament building, the Rathaus, and the Museumsquartier (so not hard to find).
Subway: the nearest station is Volkstheater on the U2 and U3 lines. Take the station exit leading away from the city centre and walk up Museumstraße.
Tram/bus: the Auerspergstraße tram stop sits more or less at one end of the building and is served by the 46 tram line.
Address: Auerspergstraße 1, 1080 Vienna | Website (event location)