November 2019

For the SECOND year in a row, our federal capital of VIENNA was ONCE MORE able to top the ranking of the "THE WORLD’S MOST LIVEABLE CITY" determined by the "Economist Intelligence Unit"!
The "Economist" compared 140 metropolises worldwide. Factors such as security, infrastructure, cultural and educational offerings, health care and the environment played a decisive role.
Adaptation to climate change was also examined for the first time.
Vienna scored 99.1 out of a possible 100 points in the current ranking.
In the global ranking, Vienna is ahead of Melbourne, Sydney (Australia) and Osaka (Japan)!

On October 23 - at 11:48pm - it finally happened!
Baby ANASTASIA has seen "light of day"!!
Whether with a loud welcome greeting, or with a quiet one - we do not know
Anyway, she is 54 (!) cm tall and weighs 4.160 (!) grams!

The proud new parents were BEAMING when Baby ANASTASIA greeted the new world WITH JOY AND HAPPINESS!
HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS, Mrs LOREDANA!
(and of course also to the DADDY!)

Shopping in Vienna is a hit all year round!
Within a few minutes walk from HOTEL AUSTRIA, you will not only find the exclusive shopping streets Kärntner Straße, Graben and Kohlmarkt, but also many typical old-style Viennese boutiques, designer shops and old antique shops. After returning from shopping, unwind over a coffee break with a piece of freshly baked Viennese pastry.

We have prepared – a very special “SHOPPING PACKAGE” FOR YOU:

o    Welcome Gift
o    2 nights in a standard or comfort double room
o    A generous gourmet buffet breakfast
o    Original VIENNESE COFFEE BREAK incl. coffee or tea and a piece of traditional Viennese pastry

Ms Maricel JAYME
Kitchen & Floor

Ms Maricel was born under the sign of the Leo. With her independence, so typical for this sign of the zodiac, she is boosting our team and has become a great support for everyone. Always in a good mood, she ensures a good start to the day with the breakfast service and on the floor.

Ms Maricel comes from the Philippines, but has been living in Austria for several years. In her private time, she loves to sing - and very well so - and spends her free time with long walks.
Her motto: Through my commitment, a smile and a few friendly words for our guests, we can enable the best possible start to a new day.

Paintings by Caravaggio, sculptures by Bernini along with further masterpieces from the early Roman Baroque period will be shown together for the first time in a unique exhibition. The exhibition “Caravaggio & Bernini” presents the revolutionary art of 17th century Rome.

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610) was a true rebel of his time. With his paintings he rebelled against the Renaissance style and its pursuit of the ideal beauty. His palette was earthy instead of garish, his models common people from the streets of Rome. Prostitutes posed for his Madonnas, and his heroes were youthful villains. Caravaggio’s revolutionary paintings full of drama combined with his unconventional lifestyle caused a sensation time and again.

The works of sculptor and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) were more restrained, but no less avant-garde for their time. His sculptures and statues seem to stand on every corner in Rome. Hardly any other European sculptor has shaped this epoch as much as he has. Bernini is regarded as the epitome of the Baroque.

What the two world-famous masters have in common is their realistic depiction of nature. While in the Renaissance well-proportioned portraits and lifelike landscapes shaped the style, Caravaggio and Bernini followed the emotions of the figures when depicting bodies. Connecting reality and sentiment was completely newand it became a hallmark of the Baroque period. The exhibition “Caravaggio & Bernini” at the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna (Art History Museum) shows how intense emotions suddenly became a theme for painting and sculpture. Around seventy masterpieces are on display. Among the many international loans there are also works that have never before been shown in public, including some sculptures by Bernini and a painting by the probably most famous female painter of the 17th century: Artemisia Gentileschi.

In order to make your visit to the special exhibition as pleasant as possible, visitors are required to book a ticket for a fixed time slot. It is only possible to enter the special exhibition during this reserved time slot. However, there are no restrictions as to how long one can remain in the exhibition area. To give visitors of the Art History Museum more time to explore the special exhibition, its opening hours have been extended.

Caravaggio & Bernini, October 15, 2019 - January 19, 2020
Mo, Tu, We, Fr 09:00-18:00, Th, Sa, Su 09:00-21:00
Note: The extended opening hours only apply to the special exhibition “Caravaggio & Bernini”. The other collections and special exhibitions at the Art History Museum are accessible during regular opening hours (Mo-Su 10:00-18:00, Th 10:00-21:00).
www.khm.at

He is considered to be the co-founder of informal art in Austria and is one of the most influential artists of the present day: Arnulf Rainer celebrates his 90th birthday in December. To mark the occasion, the Albertina is dedicating a comprehensive tribute to the artist.

His intensive search for new approaches to painting and new artistic strategies have made Arnulf Rainer one of the most influential living artists of the present day. In particular, his overpaintings made the artist, who was born in 1929 in Baden near Vienna, famous around the world.

Rainer overpainted his own and other artists' paintings, self-portraits and photos with charcoal and ballpoint pen. At the beginning of the 1960s, he was even handed down a court sentence for the public overpainting of an award-winning picture. Due to his radical concealment of often religious symbols, Rainer remained controversial for years. In December, the artist celebrates his 90th birthday. The Albertina is joining in the celebrations by honoring Rainer with a tribute made up of the many objects in its own collection.

The exhibition includes important works from Rainer's early period, his photographic works and overpaintings, the crosses and veiled paintings of the 1980s and 1990s, through to his most recent works of the present day. It's a show that once again underscores the huge significance of Arnulf Rainer for art history around the world after 1945.

Arnulf Rainer - A Tribute, September 27, 2019 – January 19, 2020
www.albertina.at

In his paintings, the French artist Pierre Bonnard made the play of colors the pillar of his creative process. Among his artistic idols was Paul Gauguin, whose use of strong colors he emulated. The Bank Austria Kunstforum Wien is showing a comprehensive retrospective.

The French Post-Impressionist Pierre Bonnard put color at the forefront of his oeuvre as the central means of expression and creation. Not only moods, but also spaces and entire compositions. The painter developed models about the contrast and harmony of warmer and colder hues. Kunstforum is showing the first comprehensive retrospective about the oeuvre of Pierre Bonnard in Austria. The exhibition focuses on Bonnard’s works that were created after his first visit to the Côte d’Azur in 1909 as a result of his deeply felt experience of the Mediterranean light. This changed Bonnard’s color palette, who up to that point had largely lived in Paris and central France. The glowing colors define his paintings until his late period.

When it came to colors, the artist was a true perfectionist. As his gallerist, Jean Dauberville, told in an interview, “Bonnard was never happy with the outcome. One day he visited an exhibition of his paintings at the Musée de Luxembourg and had his mind set on touching up one of the works. To this end, he had poured paint into a small Mediterranean scallop. Shortly before closing time, when the guard was not looking, he dabbed some paint on one of his paintings with his finger. Suddenly the guard turned around and caught him in the act. Of course, nobody would believe him that he was really Pierre Bonnard himself. So, they locked him into the office of the conservator’s office until somebody came and let him out.”

Pierre Bonnard – the color of memory, October 10, 2019 – January 12, 2020
www.kunstforumwien.at

Misjudged in his lifetime, Richard Gerstl now numbers among the most important representatives of Austrian Expressionism with his portrait and landscape paintings. The Leopold Museum is dedicating a comprehensive show to the artist.

The Austrian painter Richard Gerstl (1883 to 1908) did not have much time to bring his artistic talent to bear. He took his own life at 25 years of age. Nevertheless, he created an extremely modern oeuvre in the few short years he had. Gerstl is considered to be the first Austrian Expressionist, who created innovative works with his style even before Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka appeared on the scene. His secluded lifestyle and refusal to show his paintings in exhibitions makes his work assume the position of outsider when viewed by the rest of the world. Twenty-five years after the last monographic exhibition in Austria, the Leopold Museum dedicates a comprehensive presentation to the artist which is based on the impressive works of its own collection.

Gerstl was just 20 years old when he painted a portrait of his naked upper body set against a dark blue background. He was scrawny, had stomach problems, and was said to have had a brittle nature. He was his own most constant motif. What it was that interested him about himself and his own face remains a puzzle. A central, indeed almost fateful role in his life was played by his close contact with the group of musicians around the composer Arnold Schönberg. However, this friendship came to an abrupt end in the summer of 1908 when it came out that Gerstl was having a love affair with Mathilde Schönberg. The painter lost all contact with the Schönberg group and fell into depression, having grown lonely and completely isolated. In the night of November 4 to 5, 1908, the young painter finally ended his life in his own studio. Gerstl's work subsequently fell into obscurity until it was presented to the public by the Viennese art dealer Otto Kallir-Nirenstein 20 years later. Nowadays, the most extensive collection of Richard Gerstl's works can be seen in the Leopold Museum.

Richard Gerstl / Inspiration – Legacy, September 27, 2019 - January 20, 2020
www.leopoldmuseum.org

A cappella singing at its best – that's what Voice Mania, the international concert festival of vocal acrobatics presents from November 8 to December 1. This year, 30 groups offer high-class acoustic entertainment without instrumental accompaniment for the twenty-second time. It's all about grooving, humming, rocking, clapping, flicking, jazzing, fooling around – and singing, of course!

The opening event of Voice Mania is Balcanto. Artistes sing, belt out and swing in a potpourri of music ranging from pop to classical from balconies in Vienna city center. In addition, A Cappella to go – vocal accompaniment on Graben – gets you in the mood for the Voice Mania Specials. The festival then continues for 23 days at the Metropol, Theater am Spittelberg and at the MuTh – Concert Hall of the Vienna Boys' Choir.

Maybebop (D) surprise with a new unerring everyday wit, Ringmasters (SWE) offer polished barbershop music, Cadence (CAN) unfold melodic homeland beauties, and Pust (N) enchant with soulful Nordic sound. The a cappella youngsters of The Quintessence (GE) combine phenomenal Georgian folklore with classical and jazz. Premieres are celebrated by The Face Vocal Band (US) with a warm Rocky Mountains sound, Irmelin (SWE) with mystic yodelers, and the whiz kids Quintense (D) with pop and rock. The kitchen table session of the spontaneous singer Solala (SWE) is bizarre.

The Long Night of the A Cappella on November 30 offers celebratory triple enjoyment: Slixs (D) mark ten years as vocal bastards, while Gema 4 (ISR, CU) have been serving up pearls of Cuban music for 25 years. Rock4 (NL) smash all records with Queen anthems.

The local scene keeps up unmistakably with the top acts and as an Austrian collection. It ranges from the LALÁ Vocalensemble with the purest harmonies to downright groovy contemporary songs from Heaven Sent Cat, Bye Maxene with pop-swing and Velvet Voices with velvety-smooth soul to the pop-rock party of Das wird super. The Academy Singers and V.O.I.C.E – Vienna Pop & Jazz Choir Experience convincingly leave clichés about choral singing behind. Vocal acrobatics are brought into the mix by Rhythm4.

22nd Voice Mania 2019, November 8 - December 1, 2019
Various venues
Tickets and information: www.voicemania.at

Vienna is always worth a trip, but at Christmas time the city radiates a very special kind of magic. Who can resist the tempting aroma of home-made punch, sweet treats, and children's shining eyes when they see the countless lights? But where can we find the biggest Christmas wonders? Here are six of our favorite Viennese Christmas markets!

In childhood, Advent lasted an eternity. In adulthood, it is all over much too quickly, what with all the rushing about and crazy shopping. Fortunately, Vienna has some very special places to escape the hustle and bustle. The air here is heavy with the fragrance of enticing things. Of punch, mulled wine, tea, cookies, and roasted almonds. The Viennese Christmas markets radiate an unmistakable charm.

Stroll about gently or spend a few hours with friends sampling your way through the various punch booths in the cozy pre-Christmas hustle and bustle – the enchanting Christmas markets in Vienna make it possible. Quite incidentally, you might also find one or two gifts for your loved ones at home at a handicrafts stall. From mid-November to Christmas, many of Vienna's most beautiful and famous squares are transformed into true Christmas wonderlands.

We had a look around Christmas Vienna, eagerly tasted punch and cookies, and compiled a list of six of our favorite Christmas markets.

Christmas Market Schloss Schönbrunn
We begin our journey through Advent in Vienna in front of one of the city's most famous sights. The imposing Schönbrunn Palace provides the perfect setting for the Christmas Market Schloss Schönbrunn and its more than 80 booths. The exclusive assortment includes traditional handicrafts, pretty Christmas decorations, and toys. Sweet, spicy and hearty temptations are waiting on every corner and enchant the huge square in front of the palace with their enticing aromas. Empress Sisi would no doubt also have indulged in a sweet sin!

Art Advent on Karlsplatz
The impressive backdrop of the Karlskirche (Church of St. Charles) isn't the only thing that makes this Christmas market special. For 25 years now, the organizers have relied on the best, regional quality in all areas. High-quality, individual handicrafts and exclusively organic food and drink await the visitors to the booths. All around the hustle and bustle at the booths there is an extensive supporting program with musical acts, exhibitions and a petting zoo for children big and small.

Old Viennese Christmas Market on Freyung
The Christmas Market on Freyung stands for pure Christmas tradition. It can be traced as far back as 1772. In the heart of Vienna, around 60 operators offer high-quality handicrafts and idyllic treats on their booths. One of the highlights is definitely the walk-in Christmas tree bauble pavilion. The supporting program on Freyung also keeps everyone satisfied. The time until Christmas Eve just flies by!

Christmas Village on the University Campus
A visit to the large courtyard of the University Campus is worth it, especially at Christmas time. The Christmas Village on the University Campus attracts countless visitors to the courtyard of the former General Hospital every year. Around 50 booths offer everything the Christmas heart desires. Handicrafts, lots of gift ideas, and culinary pleasures create a fantastic atmosphere, together with countless lights, enticing aromas and the right music. A go-to event in Advent, even without a student ID!

Christmas Market on Spittelberg
In the run-up to Christmas, the narrow Biedermeier lanes on Spittelberg transform into an enchanting, rustic Christmas village. No two booths are the same. Each is unique in its own way, which is precisely what makes up the special charm of this Christmas market for so many people. More than 100 exhibitors offer their Christmas goods in the romantic lanes. Still got room for a small bag of roasted almonds after a raclette sandwich? For sure, together with a delicious berry punch!

Vienna Christmas World on Rathausplatz
The Vienna Christmas Dream extends over City Hall Square and the surrounding parkland. From the large archway at the entrance, to the many booths and the atmospheric lighting in the parks, City Hall Square transforms into a gigantic sea of lights. Every conceivable sweet treat, classic and exotic kinds of punch, and hot soups in bread quickly let us discard any thoughts of going on a diet! Two further highlights around the traditional Christmas market make the Vienna Christmas Dream a reality. One is the 3,000 m² ice rink with its many trails through the park, the other the fun-fair rides with carousel and more.