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Jonas Kaufmann

 

In the Strauss Anniversary Year 2025, in which the world of music commemorated the 200th birthday of Johann Strauss, the Golden Johann Strauss was given to the world-famous Kammersänger Jonas Kaufmann by the President of the Johann Strauss Society of Vienna. On 5th September 2025 the opera singer received the internationally renowned and highly-coveted prize, which is referred to by the media as  the „Waltz Oscar“. The presentation ceremony, by various media considered as the highlight of the Strauss Year, took place in the Marchfelderhof Restaurant in Deutsch-Wagram, where this award has been traditionally presented annually. On this special occasion, four former awardees were also present to express their ongoing commitment to the Johann Strauss Society of Vienna and to personally welcome the newest recipient into their circle. Jonas Kaufmann was awarded the Golden Johann Strauss at a significantly younger age than any previous recipient.

Owing to the high prominence of this year’s award winner, who appeared together with his wife Christiane Kaufmann, the influx of distinguished guests and media representatives was greater than ever before. The Vienna State Opera was represented by opera singer Kurt Rydl and the Volksoper by Helga Papouschek. Particularly well represented was the Austrian acting elite, led by the grande dame of the Theater in der Josefstadt, Kammerschauspielerin Marianne Nentwich, alongside  Gaby Jacoby, Edith Leyrer, and Gerhard Ernst. Among the political guests were Anton Mattle, the current Governor of Tyrol, who had travelled from Innsbruck especially in honour of Jonas Kaufmann, and the former Minister of Defence and President of the National Council, Dr. Werner Fasslabend. The business sector was prominently represented by Dr. Hans Peter Haselsteiner. The distinguished guest list was rounded out by numerous notable figures, such as Helga Rabl-Stadler, former President of the Salzburg Festival.

To welcome  Jonas Kaufmann, a 35-piece brass band performed in front of the Marchfelderhof. This was followed by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque on the facade of the restaurant, in memory of this special event ( see cover photo). The evening continued with a six-course gala dinner in the Goblin Hall. As befitted such a distinguished guest, the meal was accompanied by first-class musical performances: Barbara Laister-Ebner, the world’s most prominent zither virtuoso since her appearance at the Vienna Philharmonic’s 2018 New Year’s Concert, Univ.Prof. Rainer Küchl, longtime concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Prof. Margit Fussi, internationally renowned piano accompanist ( University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna ), and the Johann Strauss  Concert Schrammeln, with Rainer Küchl as concertmaster, delivered music by Johann Strauss at the highest artistic level.

Jonas Kaufmann was visibly moved and being presented with the Golden Johann Strauss, gave a speech in which he also paid tribute to the compositional work of Johann Strauss and his family.

 

Excerpts from  press reports:

In the year of the 200th birthday of Johann Strauss  (son), Vienna and beyond are commemorating the waltz king with numerous events. The brilliant highlight of the anniversary year was, in the past week, the awarding  of the „Golden Johann Strauss 2025“ – affectionally called the „Waltz Oscar“ – by the Johann Strauss Society of Vienna (Leadersnet Austria, 13 September 2025)

Probably the most famous tenor of today has received a further reward: Jonas Kaufmann was presented with the „Golden Johann Strauss“ 2025. In the Marchfelderhof Restaurant, he accepted the award from the Johann Strauss Society of Vienna – accompanied by a large society turnout, a festive dinner, and waltz music. „I thought I already knew all the great stages of the world“, Kaufmann joked as he entered, accompanied by a brass band. „But I’ve never experienced a stage like the one here at the Marchfelderhof.“ Together with his wife Christiane, he accepted the award which has previously been given to such prominent figures as Zubin Mehta, Riccardo Muti, and Otto Schenk. Numerous celebrities offered their congratulations, including entrepreneur Hans Peter Haselsteiner, Salzburg Festival President Helga Rabl-Stadler, and the Governor of Tyrol, Anton Mattle. Marchfelderhof owner Peter Grossmann also unveiled a marble plaque in honour of the future artistic director of the Erl Festival. Musical highlights included the performances by Rainer Küchl, former concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as harp and zither music. At the finale, Austria’s secret anthem, the „Danube Waltz“, rang out and made guests such as stage icons Marianne Nentwich and Helge Papouschek as well as society figures Birgit Sarata, Kurt Rydl and Dieter Chmelar cheer. For Kaufmann, Strauss  remains immortal:“ There is not a single melody that is weak“. (News,online, September 10, 2025)

At the festive finale, the Johann Strauss Concert Schrammeln performed Austria’s unofficial anthem, the „Blue Danube Waltz“. The thunderous applause showed how deeply the guests were moved. Among them were Werner Fasslabend with his wife Martina, Sissy and Max Strauss, pianist Helmut Deutsch, and Mayor Markus Mentl-Weigl. Esteemed figures who had already received the award, such as Prof. Werner Resel, Thomas Schäfer-Elmayer, and Bernhard Heher, were also thrilled. „This evening cannot be surpassed – a challenge for every furure Johann Strauss memorial year!“ (Wiener Bezirksblatt, online,  September 8, 2025)

The highlight of the Johann Strauss commemorative year was the award presentation of the Golden Johann Strauss 2025- affectionately referred to as the „Waltz Oscar“- to Jonas Kaufmann in this unique setting . „Since its foundation in 1936, the Society has been regarded worldwide as the leading authority in the authentic preservation of Johann Strauss‘ work“, President Peter Widholz proudly emphasized. ( oe24, online, September 8, 2025)

 

Television Report

The online broadcaster TV 21 compiled the following film report (please  click on the link below):

 

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