Norbert Rubey

Extensive concert tours of the family dynasty carry the fame of the Viennese waltz and especially of the Strauss family throughout Europe in the 19th century. All the Strausses go on tour abroad, the family business flourishes. Eduard Strauss is particularly restless. Last but not least, the third-born Strauss son receives more recognition far from home. (Full text on ORF Topos)

https://topos.orf.at/straussmania-eduard-strauss-europa100

Herbert Zotti und Susanne Schedtler

Biedermeier Vienna is not only crazy about waltzes, folk music is also experiencing a peak at this time: the legendary “Schrammeln” play music to listen to as a quartet and are extremely successful with it across all social classes. Their musical headquarters at that time was in Dornbach. The “Güldene Waldschnepfe” becomes the stronghold of Schrammel music. (Full text on ORF Topos)

https://topos.orf.at/straussmania-goldene-waldschnepfe100

Manfred Permoser

The Viennese of the Biedermeier era were so waltz-crazy that a resourceful businessman even had a cowshed converted into a magnificent dance establishment. With success, Carl Schwenders’ “Colosseum” entertainment paradise attracts dance enthusiasts in droves. Musically, they are offered only the best. The most sought-after ensembles of the city perform, including, of course, the bands of the Strauss brothers. (Full text on ORF Topos)

https://topos.orf.at/straussmania-schwender-colosseum100

Isabella Sommer

Entrepreneurs were not the only ones to create all the opulent entertainment establishments where the Viennese danced in 19th century Vienna. In Baumgarten, today’s 14th district of Vienna, the city council once decided to build a venue. It was used very successfully for various events. And even the early television is connected with the “Baumgartner Casino”. (Full text on ORF Topos)

https://topos.orf.at/straussmania-casino-baumgarten100

Manfred Permoser

Around 1830, the Viennese were spoiled for choice when it came to venues for the ultimate in musical enjoyment and dancing. Two resourceful entrepreneurs nevertheless deliver a new attraction: a “slide” with a music pavilion at the Tivoli on “Grüner Berg”. The establishment is highly successful, thanks in part to the choice of music. Two Strauss´s perform with their “Piecen”. (Full text on ORF Topos)

https://topos.orf.at/straussmania-tivoli100

Cornelia Szabó-Knotik

If the offer was attractive enough, the Viennese waltzers in the Biedermeier era also liked to go to the suburbs. A resourceful entrepreneur once had the idea of converting a disused brickworks into an amusement park in the countryside. With success. For several years, the Alte Landgut in Favoriten offered an unbeatable combination of Viennese waltzes and a colorful bouquet of attractions. (Full text on ORF Topos)

https://topos.orf.at/straussmania-altes-landgut100

Cornelia Szabó-Knotik

Even in Alsergrund, today’s 9th district of Vienna, the public once danced to music in three-four time. In the pub “Zum Weißen Schwan,” for example, Johann Strauss’s father was the bandmaster on several occasions. He even became an event organizer on his own account in this entertainment establishment. But also the fancy decoration should attract the Viennese to dance in the Rossau. (Full text on ORF Topos)

https://topos.orf.at/straussmania-weisser-schwan100

Isabella Sommer

Pomp and pageantry in the Apollosaal

The Apollosaal on Schottenfeld was an opulently furnished entertainment establishment in 19th century Vienna. Anyone who crossed the threshold of the location was drawn into the spell of the magnificent rooms – complete with marble columns, artificial ponds, waterfalls and real trees. All this shone in the glow of thousands of candles, while the Viennese turned to the music in a waltzing rhythm. (Full text on ORF Topos)

https://topos.orf.at/straussmania-apollosaal100

Zum Großen Zeisig

The restaurant “Zum großen Zeisig” (today: 7., Burggasse 2) was a popular dance and folk singing venue in the 19th century. The house “Zum großen Zeisig”, located on Spittelberg at the Burg-Glacis, was built in 1698 by the court trellis-maker Fabian Fritz, who sold it in 1711 to the innkeeper and carter Mathias Zeissel. During the battles in 1809 the house was severely damaged, then rebuilt and provided with a large hall. The inn established there actually carried the sign “Zum goldenen Adler”. (German full text)