Schoenbrunn Palace Concerts — Attraction in Vienna

Attended one of the Mozart and Strauss concerts. As soon as you enter you’re greeted with an ‘obligatory’ cloakroom. You’re cold? Well, it doesn’t matter. You HAVE to remove your jacket, whether you want to or not, and pay for the privilege. This is Austrian law (although I have been to other venues in Vienna where this is not applied), but let’s be honest it’s also a nice money-grab exercise to make an extra €400 a night. As it’s obligatory, I don’t know why they don’t just add a euro onto the ticket price and have done with it. Fast forward to the end of the evening and all this means is half the audience are stampeding to the exit before the final performance has ended (let alone the encore) as no one wants to be at the back of a 400 person cloakroom queue - especially when they only have two people working.

The concert itself was fine, and the musicians themselves good - although it was noticeable that many audience members left early, even before the cloakroom stampede. It certainly felt something was missing. Perhaps it would be nice to have had a compere or for a member of the orchestra to introduce each piece and give context for the operatic arias?

The venue - despite its history - is essentially now a glorified conference events space. So, unless you’re particularly enamoured by mirror ball lighting, it lacks much of an ambience. Furthermore, the A-C level pricing structure means (inevitably) that there are huge gaps left in the front and middle of the hall and then everyone (wanting to pay the base rate) is shoved in the back.

All of this contributes to the performance feeling more like background music, and for some patrons it clearly was - a row of tourists in front ALL feel asleep. And the row behind continued talking throughout. It was just a shame that the over-zealous coat inspector on the door didn’t apply her stern approach to them.

Many of the other reviews for the concerts seem great so maybe this was just an off night? But, having read the organisers messages to any other criticism, they’ll no doubt write their standard defensive reply. Maybe though it would be a good idea for them to stand on the door during a concert and ask why so many audience members have left...

For about 25 EUR more you can get good seats at the Vienna Opera if you plan ahead (which we did). This is a faux classy tourist trap; an octet with vocal accompaniment on a few pieces.

Nothing against the performers (some of whom were excellent), but you can really hear when a mistake is made. It stands out much more so than in a full symphony orchestra. But, overall, the performers are playful and enjoyable.

The management company holding these performances is not the best. The bathrooms in the Orangerie aren't unlocked until an hour before the performance. Before that time you will need to walk 10 minutes to the Palace and pay for bathroom use.

One is forced to check their jacket/coat before entering the performance space. It's not the money that makes this annoying; it's the principle. No other venue we've been to in Austria or elsewhere in Europe charges for coat check. I spent 225 Euro on three tickets to the performance; the least the management can do is let us use the bathroom and check our outerwear without cost. Some guests were inexplicably permitted to enter with their coats; one person even smuggled his drink inside.

As for the seating, there are no assigned seats; only assigned seating areas. I suggest you be there when they begin admitting guests in order to secure a decent seat. But note that there is no place to sit while you wait for admittance. There is a bar, but you will stand whilst you drink and wait. I much prefer assigned seats, which is the norm in more respectable venues across the world.

Overall, this is decidedly a tourist trap. There is no benefit to attending this concert versus any of the other tourist-oriented concerts held daily closer in to Vienna's CBD. In fact, I prefer those because they tend to be held in beautiful churches with wonderful acoustics.

I don't recommend this event. Faux classy is the best way to...

Unfortunately, my experience was far from pleasant. The main issue was the attitude of the audience. I was shocked to see numerous people taking pictures and recording videos with their phones during the performance. Some were even chatting, and others were checking things on Google. While I understand it's a tourist destination, the lack of respect for the music made it feel more like background music at a restaurant for tourists. Surprisingly, no staff members intervened or warned these disruptive audience members, despite it being blatantly obvious. Additionally, latecomers were allowed to enter during the performance without escort of the staff.

If this aligns with the organizer's concept, that's acceptable. However, if not, there's a pressing need for correction. While I believe it's common sense how to behave at a classical music concert, a more explicit announcement before the performance might be beneficial.

I've never had an experience where I wanted to leave in the middle of a performance. It was supposed to be an enjoyable evening but ended up being a source of accumulating stress. A disappointing outcome for what should have been a precious Vienna night.

(Below is added after the reply from the organier as I cannot reply under the comment) It was January 4, 2024. Moreover, I of course noticed that there was announcement not to take photos, videos and switch off your mobile phone etc, but I remember it was like "You are allowed to take a photo and record videos with your eyes, ears and heart... Please don't forget to turn on your mobile phone after the show". It is supposed to be funny, but it does not work where the majority of the people are tourists who do not understand German or...