St. Stephen´s Cathedral Visit the inside and outside of this Viennese landmark. It was here that Mozart and Strauss both married and Emperor Franz Joseph was rumored to have entered into a marriage of conscience with his “friend” Katharina Schratt. In the course of the tour we hear about the embalming tradition of the Habsburgs, burial regulations in the 18th century, Mozart’s confirmation and the background to his burial in a so-called “pauper’s grave”. Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera) This monumental structure, the first one copmleted on the Ring Boulevard, opened in 1869 with a performance of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni”. On January 1,1892, the opera “Ritter Pásmán” by Johann Strauss was premiered here. The tour includes the auditorium, the vestibule, the interval rooms, Empress Elizabeth’s tea salon and if possible even the stage of this world-renowned opera house. Hear about the Opera Ball, the glittering high point of the internationally famous Viennese carnival season. It has become a tradition that Johann Strauss’ operetta “Die Fledermaus” is performed at the state opera on New Year’s Eve. Theater an der Wien The stage for numerous operettas by Johann Strauss – a notable exception being “A Night in Venice”. We will discover why on the tour! The Papageno Gate is a reminder of the founder of the theater Emanuel Schikaneder, the librettist of “The Magic Flute” – a friend and Masonic brother of Mozart’s. The hugely successful musicals “Elisabeth” (a musical rendition of the life of the empress) and “Mozart” were performed here. The Theater an der Wien is one of the oldest theaters in the city with an interesting and varied history. Today it is again one of Vienna’s three opera houses. Salzburg Mozart’s birthplace is on the famous Getreidegasse (inside tour possible). We visit the cathedral where he was christened and the Mozart family grave in the St.Sebastian Cemetery. See the house (mostly reconstructed) on Makartplatz where the Mozart family lived from 1773, the monument on Mozartplatz, the house in which his wife Constanze lived with her second husband, where his sister Nannerl lived as a widow and Nannerl’s grave in St.Peter’s cemetery . Many other places of interest include Mirabell Castle (one of the most beautiful wedding halls in Austria) with its gorgeous gardens, the festival performance house and the fortress. Fans of the evergreen film “The Sound of Music” about the famous Trapp family are also not forgotten on this tour. As a perfect end to a perfect day in Salzburg a Mozart dinner and concert can be included in the program. For further ideas please see Events.

Mozarthaus Vienna Visit the Mozart House in Vienna, the last-remaining and most elegant of Mozart’s apartments. It was here that he composed famous works such as “The Marriage of Figaro”. Haus der Musik (House of Music) In this interactive museum we experience the world of sound in new and exciting ways. With the help of a dice you can compose your own waltz or try your hand at conducting the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra – who then pass comment on your efforts! Or do you want to know exactly how Mozart might have looked? Phantom photos of him and his wife Constanze give us an idea. Besides Johann Strauss and Mozart, further show rooms are dedicated to many other Austrian musicians and the world famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Sammlung alter Musikinstrumente (Collection of Ancient Musical Instruments) This unique museum is the result of the Habsburg’s passion for collecting. Besides many interesting musical instruments from different epochs since the Renaissance several curiosities are on display. See a violin from the estate of Leopold Mozart, the only preserved original recording of the Johann Strauss Orchestra, Lanner’s violin portrait and much more. Friedhof St.Marx (St.Marx Cemetery) A visit to the only remaining cemetery of the Biedermeier period where Mozart was buried in a communal grave. Hear the truth about his reputed “pauper’s burial”. Central Cemetary The largest Viennese cemetery with a large number of graves and memorials in honor of famous people: Johann Strauss senior, Johann Strauss junior and his last wife Adele, his brothers Eduard and Josef Strauss and other notable personalities from Viennese cultural, economic and political life. See the monument to Mozart – his real communal grave is at the St. Marx Cemetery (see above). Tour of Mozart’s residences and scenes of his life in Vienna Mozart began his life as a freelance musician in Vienna with a proverbial kick up the backside (visit the scene of the crime!) and ended it near to St.Stephen’s cathedral – all is colorfully documented in this tour. If you wish, we can also visit the famous Mozart Statue in the Burggarten.