Waltz cult: Vienna festival year honors Strauss with a unique happening!

Waltz cult: Vienna festival year honors Strauss with a unique happening!

It was a very special evening in the Vienna Konzerthaus when the “Save the Last Waltz for Me” event took place on Friday. On this June 7th, 2025, exactly 126 years after the funeral of the Waltz King Johann Strauss Sohn, visitors were treated to an impressive happening. Oskar Haag and Oliver Welter were responsible for the concept and direction, while the dramaturgical pen was handled by Tomas Zierhofer-Kin. Fritz Ostermayer revealed the eulogy and thus set the emotional framework for the evening.

The evening began with a moving film about Johann Strauss, which was shown at the composer's grave. Performances ranged from a rare appearance by Naked Lunch, who performed their first concert in seven years, to a new song by the talented Der Nino from Vienna, performed in three-four time. A highlight was the performance by Peaches, who presented a number with Strauss motifs together with Clara Breakfast. Verena Altenberger also impressed with a speech performance, while Yury Revich improvised musically. To round off the evening, Lars Eidinger, as DJ, ensured the perfect end to the event - but the only technical problem was that the microphones and cameras didn't always work.

Johann Strauss 2025: A comprehensive year of celebration

“Waltz, Vienna and joy of life” – this is how Roland Geyer, the festival’s director, describes the legacy of Johann Strauss. The composer's 200th birthday will be celebrated in 2025. The cultural program promises no fewer than 65 productions and three exhibitions spread throughout the city. From classical concerts to creative, non-classical performances – everyone will find something that appeals to them here. The events will take place at 69 different locations in Vienna, which once again underlines the diversity of the formats on offer.

The program is divided into three pillars: “PUR”, “MIX” and “OFF”. The “PUR” line promises top-class performances, including an “operetta pasticcio” by the Vienna Philharmonic under Franz Welser-Möst. The “MIX” line offers a playful approach to Strauss’ work, including premieres by Jacqueline Kornmüller and the Nesterval theater ensemble. The “OFF” column, in turn, is dedicated to unconventional projects, such as the media artwork “LichtStrauss” by Victoria Coeln in the city park.

A final chord for the festive year

The celebrations will culminate with a resumé gala “By(e) Strauss” on December 31, 2025 at the Theater an der Wien. Nikolaus Habjan will celebrate the legacy of the great composer together with surprise guests. The comprehensive cosmopolitanism of the Strauss Festival year shows that Johann Strauss is not just a name, but an attitude to life that is deeply rooted in Viennese culture. Even if the Waltz King was not always directly referenced, the love of music is an integral part of life in Vienna.

For all those who would like to be inspired by the diversity of the program, the festival year offers the opportunity to rediscover Johann Strauss from many perspectives. And so all that remains to be said is that Viennese joie de vivre is particularly popular this year - in keeping with the spirit of our immortal Waltz King.

For more information visit the website of Pulse24, courier and Johann Strauss 2025.