Mozart and his parents actually lived on the 3rd floor of this building. (where you see 3 open windows) We were not allowed to take photos inside, but the highlight of the tour were the displays of Mozart’s first violin and the family keyboard.
Photo by Andre Liem
Our evening concert on that same day was a collaboration with the Swedish choir and the African Musicians at the Mozarteum Auditorium near the Mirabell Palace. The African group played on traditional instruments and their style sounded similar to Caribbean music. We played during the second half of the concert and to be honest, we were so exhausted during this part of the concert and the auditorium was so warm, that most of us were asleep in the back rows of the hall. We all tried so hard to stay awake because this group was so fun to watch!
After the concert, we got a chance to meet the African musicians. Elena is never shy about asking for a group photo.
This view with the wide angle lens shows the height of the ceilings. Note the multiple organs.
We set up the stage underneath this organ between the connected domes. Imagine looking up at this view during a rehearsal. The colors and detail were amazing.
Directly following the concert at the Salzburg Cathedral, we load the bus and travel to Vienna for dinner and a concert (as the audience, not as performers) at the Wiener Musikverein. The Musikverein is the one of the premier concert halls in the world and home of the Vienna Philharmonic.
We enjoyed a performance by the Vienna Mozart Orchestra dressed in period costumes. The music was great and the performance was family friendly with various soloists and audience participation. We were seated on the edge of the balcony on the right.
Of course, no Mozart concert would be complete without Papageno.
We loved the lighting on the hall as we left the concert.
It is the morning of July 7th and we leave Vienna for a 45 minute drive to the tiny town of Eisenstadt, the location of the Estrhazy Palace. It always amazed me that our entire orchestra, parents and instruments fit comfortably into one double decker bus with a trailer.