STAGE TUBE: A SALUTE TO VIENNA Premieres on PBS Today

A SALUTE TO VIENNA is one of the most lavish song and dance gala concert specials ever produced for public television featuring the superstars of Viennese operetta. The visually spectacular special is hosted by world-famous mezzo soprano Frederica von Stade and Academy Award-winning actor andVienna native Maximilian Schell. Special guests include The Vienna Boys' Choir; Russell Watson, Great Britain's largest-selling, classical-crossover tenor; dancers from the Association of the Vienna State Opera Ballet; the Symphony Orchestra of the Volksoper Vienna under the direction ofinternationally-knownStrauss Conductor Peter Guth; an international cast of top singing stars including sopranos Daniela Fally, Iva Milhanovic and Alexandra Reinprecht; tenors Dmitry Korchak and Tilmann Unger; baritone, Daniel Serafin, as well as many leading stars from the acclaimed Budapest Operetta Theater. A SALUTE TO VIENNA is part of special programming premiering on PBS stations beginning today, August 3, 2013 (check local listings).

Viewers will fall in love with the music of "Waltz King" Johann Strauss Jr., as ballet dancers glide across the stage to the sounds of "The Blue Danube" performed by the Vienna State Opera Ballet and the Symphony Orchestra of the Volksoper, Vienna. This special concert features the beautiful compositions of Johann Strauss Jr., Franz Lehár, Imre Kálmán, Robert Stolz, Carl Zeller, Sigmund Romberg and Giuseppe Verdi.

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A SALUTE TO VIENNA was taped live on April 25, 2013 at the glittering Wiener Konzerthaus inVienna, Austria and is filled with many enchanting moments including the wonderful performance by Frederica von Stade of "Vilja Song" from The Merry Widow. Other highlights include the rousing Strauss "Thunder and Lightning Polka," the delightful voices of The Vienna Boys' Choir, and the entire cast performing the finale,"Champagne is King"from Die Fledermaus, topping off an enthralling evening.

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A SALUTE TO VIENNA is a co-production of KPBS Public Broadcasting and Attila Glatz Concert Productions. KPBS serves the San Diego community with news and entertainment programming that respects our audience with inspiring, intelligent and enlightening content. KPBS delivers this content via multiple outlets, including television, radio, and digital media.