2025 is Strauss year in Vienna, and the Theatermuseum honours the great composer with a major exhibition covering his life and works.
- Includes rarely-seen items from his written estate
- View the original score to Die Fledermaus
- Full of delightful objects
- Runs Dec 4, 2024 – June 23, 2025
- Book a Strauss concert* in Vienna
- See also:
- Theatermuseum overview
- Strauss locations in Vienna
- One-time free entry with the Vienna Pass
Life, music & bats
(Johann Strauss II with a facsimile signature of his name and music; anonymous, undated print: Jos. Eberle & Co., Vienna © KHM-Museumsverband, Theatermuseum)
Vienna can be a little intimidating when it comes to musical history.
Other towns might boast of a connection to some renowned composer. And then Vienna casually mentions between sips of coffee that Beethoven and Mozart lived in the city at the same time.
Johann Strauss II is another local who left a lasting impression on the world of music.
Classic FM’s list of the 15 most famous tunes in classical music, for example, includes Strauss’s 1866 The Blue Danube (German: An der schönen blauen Donau), which has also made it into such diverse screen productions as Squid Game and 2001: A Space Odyssey.
(View of part of the exhibition; press photo: Jonas Thiller © KHM-Museumsverband, Theatermuseum)
Johann’s 200th birthday in 2025 brings numerous Strauss-related events to the city. And the Theatermuseum has one of the most prominent ones in collaboration with the Wienbibliothek im Rathaus (the city’s own library).
The Strauss exhibition tackles the composer’s life and works, which covers quite a spectrum, given Johann’s extensive travels, numerous public performances, business acumen, famous father and brothers, three wives, and over 500 works that also include 15 operettas.
Not a man you could accuse of laziness.
The exhibition has eight rooms, each dedicated to a theme. Examples include Die Fledermaus, family, dance venues of the time, the concert tours, the Blue Danube and the New Year’s Concert.
(The original score for the Die Fledermaus operetta features. Press photo KHM-Museumsverband © Wienbibliothek im Rathaus, Wien)
The overall impression is rather lovely: a joyous and varied mix of displays filled with delightful items…from Henriette Strauss’s earrings to letters from musical collaborators to ball dresses and old photos. And plenty of listening stations, too, for enjoying the music.
Notable exhibition highlights include the first public appearance of items from Strauss’s written estate.
Take, for example, just the Die Fledermaus section…
We see the original score (!) for the famous operetta, but also set & costume designs, photos of performers through the ages (including singers present at the 1874 premiere), and even original documents proving Strauss had help with the music from his librettist, Richard Genée.
An illuminating and entertaining exhibition in equal measure…
Dates, tickets & tips
Dive into the world of Johann Strauss II from December 4th, 2024 to June 23rd, 2025. An entrance ticket for or from the Theatermuseum includes the exhibition(s) within. The museum actually reopens with the exhibition after several weeks of refurbishment.
(Booking service provided by Tiqets.com*, who I am an affiliate of)
Vienna, inevitably, has much to offer when immersing yourself in the life, times and music of the Strauss family.
Many professional ensembles and orchestras put on evening performances of music by Strauss, Mozart and others in historical venues. These make for a nice taster of light classical music in a rather lovely ambience.
(The House of Strauss combines an exhibition with concerts and gastronomy)
Other institutions have permanent exhibitions tackling similar themes, though more in terms of infotainment. For example:
- The House of Strauss offers an interactive exhibition and weekly concerts in a restored hall where Strauss himself performed
- The Johann Strauss Museum has a lovely immersive multimedia exhibition
And I have a whole article pointing you at the numerous locations covering Strauss’s music, his life, and various memorials, museums, statues and more.
Finally, should you wish to refresh yourself with a coffee and cake after the Theatermuseum but keep the music theme, then Cáfe Mozart is a three minute walk away.
How to get there
Follow the travel tips at the end of the main Theatermuseum article.
Address: Lobkowitzplatz 2, 1010 Vienna