Review: SALUTE TO VIENNA at Van Wezel

A cherished tradition, The Vienna New Year's Concert (Neujahrskonzert der Wiener Philharmoniker) is an annual concert of classical music performed by the Vienna Philharmonic on the morning of New Year's Day in Vienna, Austria. The orchestra performs the same concert program on 30 December, 31 December, and 1 January but only the last concert is regularly broadcast on radio and television (aired on PBS). The tradition of a New Year’s concert goes back to 1898.  The intention of the concert is to let all your troubles of the past year go and to embrace the coming year! With its message of hope, joy and happiness, Salute to Vienna recreates the concert “Neujahrskonzert”.

The show that we see today is the creation of the great musical minds of husband-and-wife team, Marion and Attila Glatz. Marrying together European dancers and a full symphony orchestra this show is a celebration of music. In 1995, this show premiered in Toronto, and has continued to be performed annually in more than 20 cities throughout North America. After 28 years, and having been performed for over one million people, this has become a mainstay for the celebration of the New Year for many throughout North America. 

Led by the playful conductor Andras Deak, we are taken through the highlights of Johan and Eduard Strauss, Mozart, and Rossini. Every song was introduced with the story and history of the piece, accompanied by ballet dancers, or the phenomenal voices of coloratura soprano Katarzyna Dondalska and tenor Franz Gurtelschmied. “Les oiseaux”, which translates to “Doll Song” was introduced as one of the most difficult soprano parts ever written. In its delivery Dondalska was nothing short of hilarious, acting out as a doll that had been overwound and seemingly making jest of the high trills and leaps that were throughout the piece. Deak got in on the joke coming in with a key to wind up the doll!
It was impressive just how much enjoyment all the performers seemed to be having, amidst playing some exceptionally difficult pieces. This show is a perfect overview of the joy and pleasure that opera and symphony can bring! Salute to Vienna hit the mark of bringing happiness and good cheer to send out 2023 and look forward to a bright future in 2024.

In the Glatz’s message for this year’s program they state that “this celebration reminds us all of how important it is to find reasons to connect with one another, to indulge in things that bring us joy”. All of this was accomplished with this concert, and I already can’t wait to see it again next year!

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