Salute To Vienna New Year's Concert Comes To Van Wezel

Usher in the New Year with the dazzling spectacle of the Salute to Vienna New Year's Concert on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at 7 p.m. Inspired by the annual Viennese "Neujahrskonzert", this stunning celebration blends acclaimed European singers and dancers with full orchestra in a fresh, new program each year. Step into Vienna's golden age and spend the evening caught up in the joy, grandeur and music of a time past but not forgotten at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall!

The Strauss Symphony of America will be under the baton of Viennese conductor, Bernhard Schneider. Schneider is also master of ceremonies, involving the audience through story-telling and gentle humor. Dresden-based soprano Peggy Steiner and Viennese tenor Michael Heim perform with members of the National Ballet of Hungary and International Champion Ballroom Dancers. The program includes overtures, waltzes and selections from operettas Die Fledermaus, Merry Widow and Gypsy Baron. Co-founder Attila Glatz notes, "The Blue Danube Waltz and the Radetzky March close every concert!"

Marion Glatz notes that the popular music from nearly 150 years ago was meant to entertain: "When I was a girl, the Neujahrskonzert brought us together around the radio and then later the television set. It wasn't heavy or serious, but it was a time where we all paused to listen to some of the most romantic and nostalgic music that we loved from operettas." Now grandparents themselves, the Glatzes say they are even more keenly aware of the importance of taking stock as the new year turns over. "The beauty of this concert is that it magically suspends us in time and allows us to look both backward and forward," smiles Marion.

"We are very proud that our work fosters culture-sharing between Europe and North America," Attila Glatz says. Preserving the heritage of the European-style performance is crucial to the value of the Salute to Vienna concerts. Produced since 1995, Salute to Vienna New Year's Concert will ring in the New Year in 24 cities across the USA and Canada this season. Attila Glatz was a concert pianist before they launched a concert production business over 30 years ago after immigrating to Canada. They now split their time between their business headquarters in Toronto and their beloved Vienna, where they travel each year to hire soloists and conductors.

Tickets are $44.45- $86.18. Purchase at VanWezel.org, the Box Office or by calling 941-953-3368. Groups of 10 or more should contact (941) 363-2025. This performance is sponsored by WUSF Public Media.