2025 is Strauss year in Vienna, and the Theatermuseum honours the great composer with a major exhibition covering his life and works.
- Includes rarely-seen items from his written estate
- View the original score to Die Fledermaus
- Runs Dec 4, 2024 – June 23, 2025
- Book a Strauss concert* in Vienna
- See also:
- Theatermuseum overview
- Strauss locations in Vienna
- One-time free entry with the Vienna Pass
Life, music & bats
(Johann Strauss II with a facsimile signature of his name and music; anonymous, undated print: Jos. Eberle & Co., Vienna © KHM-Museumsverband, Theatermuseum)
Vienna can be a little intimidating when it comes to musical history.
Other towns might boast of a connection to some renowned composer. And then Vienna casually mentions between sips of coffee that Beethoven and Mozart lived in the city at the same time.
Johann Strauss II is another local who left a lasting impression on the world of music.
Classic FM’s list of the 15 most famous tunes in classical music, for example, includes Strauss’s 1866 The Blue Danube (German: An der schönen blauen Donau), which has also made it into such diverse screen productions as Squid Game and 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Johann’s 200th birthday in 2025 brings numerous Strauss-related events to the city. And the Theatermuseum has one of the more prominent ones in collaboration with the Wienbibliothek im Rathaus (the city’s own library).
(The Die Fledermaus operetta premiered in the Theater an der Wien in 1974)
The Strauss exhibition tackles the composer’s life and works, exploring his lifestyle, familial relationships and output.
Which covers quite a spectrum, given Johann’s extensive travels, numerous public performances, business acumen, famous father and brothers, three wives, and over 500 works that also include 15 operettas.
(Not a man you could accuse of laziness.)
Notable exhibition highlights include the first such public appearance of items from Strauss’s written estate.
One such item is the original score for Die Fledermaus (The Bat), supplemented by designs and objects from stage productions of the operetta.
I’ll add more details once I’ve had the chance to visit.
Dates, tickets & tips
Dive into the world of Johann Strauss II from December 4th, 2024 to June 23rd, 2025. An entrance ticket for or from the Theatermuseum includes the exhibition(s) within.
(The museum actually reopens with the exhibition after several weeks of refurbishment.)
Vienna, inevitably, has much to offer when immersing yourself in the life, times and music of the Strauss family.
Many professional ensembles and orchestras put on evening performances of music by Strauss, Mozart and others in historical venues. These make for a nice taster of light classical music in a rather lovely ambience.
(The House of Strauss combines an exhibition with concerts and gastronomy)
Other institutions have permanent exhibitions tackling similar themes. For example:
- The House of Strauss offers an interactive exhibition and weekly concerts in a restored hall where Strauss himself performed
- The Johann Strauss Museum opens early November with its own multimedia exhibition
And I have a whole article pointing you at the numerous locations covering Strauss’s music, his life, and various memorials, museums, statues and more.
Finally, should you wish to refresh yourself with a coffee and cake after the Theatermuseum but keep the music theme, then Cáfe Mozart is a three minute walk away.
How to get there
Follow the travel tips at the end of the main Theatermuseum article.
Address: Lobkowitzplatz 2, 1010 Vienna