The Best Concert Seats in Vienna Dear International Living Reader, Vienna is romantic, cultured, and sophisticated, with a charming café culture and a wealth of imperial history. But this gracious city is best known as a music-lover's paradise. Once home to Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss and Schubert, this city's music scene lives on in world-famous orchestras, choirs, conservatories, and daily concerts. Classical music in particular is so intertwined with Viennese culture that it would be a shame to spend time here without experiencing live music in one of the city's many elegant venues. Even without advance booking, you should be able to catch a concert in Vienna; hawkers in operatic costumes can usually be found selling last-minute tickets around tourist attractions. But it is better to arrange your concert tickets before you arrive so that you can choose the dates, times, and types of music that you really want, instead of taking whatever happens to be available at whatever ticket price is left. Here are my recommendations for where, and how, to book in advance: * The Musik Verein, home to the famous annual Viennese New Year's Day Concert. Music is played here nearly every day of the year in various halls (saals) with varying ticket prices. My favorite is the ornate Brahams Saal, with gilded walls, molded ceilings, and many glittering chandeliers. You can make advance reservations online with a credit card and pick your tickets up at the box office. For more information, contact the Musik Verein: e-mail: tickets@musikverein.at; website: www.musikverein.at. *Schonbrunn Palace, former summer home of the Hapsburgs. Concerts here feature works by the most popular composers of Vienna, including Mozart, who played here at the age of six. We booked tickets to include dinner at the Residenz Restaurant, on the left of the main palace entrance, and had a formal three-course meal, exquisitely served and presented with luxurious trappings (though drinks are extra, unless you add them to your package beforehand). For more information about Schonbrunn Castle and other venues, visit www.viennaconcerts.com. Vivienne Mackie
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