Breathing Curiosity
Johann Strauss II, born October 25, 1825, Vienna, Austria, “the Waltz King,” is the composer famous for his Viennese waltzes and operettas.Strauss was the eldest son of the composer Johann Strauss I. Because his father wished him to follow a nonmusical profession, he started his career as a bank clerk. He studied the violin without… Continue reading Johann Strauss II *X 25 1825 The Life You Give
In the wake of such influential studies as Allan Janik and Stephen Toulmin's Wittgenstein's Vienna (1973) and Carl Schorske's Fin-de-siècle Vienna: Politics and Culture (1979), scholars from diverse fields have come to recognize that in the years from about 1890 to 1918 the imperial city of Vienna comprised a unique historico-cultural nexus. The fact that… Continue reading Twentieth Century Vienna Fruits
Celebrate with us, listening to this masterpiece on November 20 at 11pm EST in the Opera, Blood, and Tears Club, on Clubhouse. Monument by Kaspar von Zumbusch, commemorating Beethoven’s Fidelio in Vienna, where it premiered. CHARACTERS FLORESTAN, a Spanish Nobleman……………………………TenorLEONORE, his wife, in male attire as FIDELIO…….………….SopranoDON FERNANDO, Prime Minister of Spain…………………….BassPIZARRO, Governor of the… Continue reading “Fidelio”, Ludwig van Beethoven’s only Opera, premiered on this day in 1805
In 1988 I visited the magnificent city of Vienna for the very first time. For the following twelve years I sat in about ten of their traditional Coffeehouses, most of which have been in operation at least 80 years, some over a century. Café Hawelka was my most frequent choice. It was opened in 1939… Continue reading Dissecting Hospitality — the guest always sits with a drink at hand
Hermann Nitsch — Painter, Performance Artist, born in Vienna, August 29 1938
Lithograph in 1859 by Josef Kriehuber
William Martin Joel / May 9, 1949, in Hicksville, NY (Photo: Michael Putland/Getty Images)
Today I continue to celebrate life in details but also in the joy that adds two men to the spirit of celebratory thankfulness — music. Besides the birthday of Philip Glass, there is plenty of reason for celebrating two hundred and twenty-four years today. Franz Peter Schubert, the young man who composed the “Winterreise” (Winter… Continue reading Two hundred and twenty-four years ago, Schubert
Storytelling à la Norway, in the words of Henrik Ibsen. “Peer Gynt” his five-act play, set to the music of the incomparable Edward Grieg, interpreted as an expressive evening of ballet and movement, is loosely based on the Norwegian fairy tale. Beautiful music and sounds Poetic pictures Surrealism ... It pleasantly points out that, while… Continue reading I’m back in Vienna!
Today I will be in the most magnificent city on this planet. The Metropolitan Opera in New York is playing operas I am not interested in, so I will not be here. Today, mind and ears will be in Vienna. To my wonderful friends in Vienna, do not try to meet me, for I will… Continue reading Today I am in Vienna!
Sila Blume 