The First International Guest Performance of a Production by the Johann Strauss Society Vienna

 

The Classical Operetta Ensemble Vienna was only three years and five days old when it gave its first performance abroad. In the more than sixty-year history of the Johann Strauss Society of Vienna, it had never previously been possible to realize a guest engagement outside Austria, despite corresponding plans dating back to 1937. On 30th October 1999, however, at the invitation of the „Association of Austrians in Greece“, a concert was presented in Athens.  The event was made possible through the financial support of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and the Ringturm Capital Investment Company. The concert on the occasion of the centenary of the death of Johann Strauss was held under the patronage of the Austrian Ambassador to Greece, Dr. Hans Sabaditsch. The programme consisted exclusively of works by the „Waltz King“.

Three sopranos were engaged: Ingrid Katzengruber (lyric-dramatic soprano), Ulrike Vetter (coloratura soprano), and Susanne Fugger (soubrette). Peter Widholz, who was also responsible for the programme design, joined the vocal ensemble as tenor. The musical direction was in the hands of Herbert Prikopa, a long-standing member of the Vienna Volksoper. Through his involvement in countless radio and television productions as a singer, actor, and conductor, he was well known far beyond Austria’s borders. The presentation was conducted bilingually: Peter Widholz provided an introduction to each piece in German, which was then immediately translated into Greek by Dr. Kessaris.

Although the Johann Strauss Society of Vienna was aware of the fact that a Strauss concert abroad would primarily be expected to feature well-known and popular works by the waltz king, it did not neglect one of its principal objectives, namely the revival of unjustly forgotten compositions. Thus, the programme also included some rarities such as the „Bullfight“ from The Queen’s Lace Handkerchief and the „Dream Narrative“ from Princess Ninetta.

The concert hall was packed to bursting. Both Austrians living in Greece  and native Greeks had appeared, including numerous figures from business and politics. As the influx of audience members showed no sign of stopping, additional chairs were initially brought in. But when the hall became hopelessly overcrowded and people were still pushing their way in, the doors were finally opened so that those standing outside could also listen to the performance. After each piece, thunderous applause erupted – for the rarities as much as for the well-known compositions . The enthusiasm  generated by the event was also reflected in the press coverage:

„…a dreamlike evening of Viennese operetta“ (Naftemboriki, November 2, 1999)

„… thus, this evening in Psychiko was filled with musical magic and culture“ (Eleftheros Typos, November 3, 1999)

„Although 100 years have passed since the death of Johann Strauss, his music still captivates and moves people“ (Apogefmatini, November 5, 1999)

„ The Strauss Society’s first engagement abroad can  definitely be described as extremely successful. Never before has an event organized by the Austrian Association received such a great response from both compatriots and Greeks“ (German-language Athenian Newspaper, Novembrer 1999).

Thus, the Johann Strauss Society of Vienna could be certain that even in its first guest performance abroad, it had done justice to Johann Strauss and, moreover, had delivered a concert of historic significance in the context of its own history, an achievement it could be proud of.

 

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