“Straussmania”: Popculture of the 19th century

Panel Discussion at Carnegie Hall As part of a panel of experts of cultural history and art– which he helped put together – Oliver Rathkolb joins a discussion with Larry Diamond, Daniel Froschauer, Nadine Rossol und Franz Welser on the arts and what they can tell and predict about their time, as well as its…

Photo-Exhibition The photo exhibition “Hans Sima – a political life” reconstructs the life and political work of Carinthia’s governor Hans Sima using selected photographic highlights. Professor Oliver Rathkolb and Dr. Petra Mayrhofer are curating the photo exhibition together with Dr. Andreas Kuchler, Director of the Museum of the City of Villach. It provides insights into…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 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…

In 19th century Vienna, the enjoyment of music was not reserved for the elite educated bourgeoisie. Rather, a diverse music scene existed in the public sphere. Bands played in the parks and gardens, and beggar musicians provided acoustic background music in the backyards. Barrel organ players were part of the street scene – and even…

The New Dreher Beer Hall (Neue Dreher’sche Bierhalle) in Vienna’s third district not only offered a popular concert venue for well-known Viennese bands, it also provided the stage for the premier performances of the New Vienna Women’s Orchestra (Neue Wiener Damen-Orchester).  This group of eight female musicians was led by violinist, conductor and pianist, Josephine…

Vienna Wieden was once home to the Johann Strauss Theater, whose eventful history leads through just five decades and from the operetta temple to the Scala Theater. Even Josephine Baker once performed here with her revue. Most recently, the theater became a stage for political plays of left-wing orientation and staged, for example, the controversial…

Vienna of the 19th century offered first class musical variety and with it made the Strauss family superstars. This is also where the globalization of the waltz began to go viral. Dances became major events; entertainment became a spectacle. Though the social contrasts were great, mainstream character and escapism dominated popular culture offerings.

The eventful year 1848 brought a bourgeois revolution to Vienna. Johann Strausssenior and junior were involved on both sides musically, but for one Strauss hisinvolvement was, meanwhile, quite momentous. A piece of musical history was(presumably) written the Blue Bottle Inn (Gasthaus Zur Blauen Flasche) in thedistrict of Ottakring. Interestingly, caterwauling (Katzenmusik) played acacophonous supporting role…

The Vienna of the 19th century produced a tremendous variety of music. To this day, however, one name in particular is associated with it: The Strauss family of musicians shaped Vienna’s music and entertainment culture for decades. Johann Strauss and his sons, above all Johann Strauss Son, became the first superstars of the international music…