“Strauss House” is not just a museum. Concerts will be held in it, and those who wish can take on the role of conductors
A new interactive museum dedicated to the Strauss musical dynasty has opened its doors in the Austrian capital, the Vienna Tourist Board announced in a December Press Release.
It pays tribute to the famous Austrian musical dynasty. Johann Strauss-father and his three sons remain in the world’s musical memory. Two generations of genius artists composed hundreds of marches, polkas, waltzes, mazurkas, operettas, ruling more than two centuries in ballrooms and theaters on all continents, the announcement states.
The museum is located in the building of the restored Casino Zögernitz, which opened its doors to the Viennese high society in 1837. In it, the great musicians performed their works in front of a sophisticated audience.
Nowadays, the museum wants to attract the young audience as well. The exhibition transports visitors to the 19th century. In one of the salons, the original piano of Eduard Strauss is on display, and on the walls there is information about the life of the musicians.
“Strauss House” is not just a museum. Concerts will be held in it, and those who wish can take on the role of conductors. Before attempting to conduct, they have the opportunity to measure their “waltz pulse”.
Information about the “Danube Waltz” and “Radetsky March”, their scores and the musical works themselves are accessible through the touch screen.
With the help of a multimedia installation, animated graphics and visual effects, everyone can immerse themselves in the spirit of the era. Of course, the museum does not lack a replica of the golden statue of Johann Strauss-son from the Vienna Stadtpark, which is an ideal place for selfies.
The heart of the “Strauss House” is the ballroom with a portrait of Strauss by Gottfried Helnwein, where concerts will be held from next year. The restorers have managed to revive the splendor of the bygone era with marble floors, opulent crystal chandeliers, original Viennese Thonet chairs, wallpaper and ceiling frescoes.
In the future, guests will be able to combine a visit to the museum with a breakfast named after Strauss or a fine dinner served with Strauss wine.
An interesting detail is that the audio guide was recorded by the great-great-great-grandson of Johann Strauss-father. A short film at the beginning of the visit presents the most important facts from the life of the musical family and the era in which they lived and worked.
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