The Constellation Choir & Orchestra / Gardiner

Performers:

The Constellation Orchestra
The Constellation Choir
Sam Cobb, soprano
Rebecca Hardwick, soprano
Iris Korfker, alto
Graham Neal, tenor
Jonathan Hanley, tenor
Alex Ashworth, bass
Jack Comerford, bass
Sir John Eliot Gardiner, conductor

Midsummer Night's Dreams
Nocturnal scenes full of spooks, magic and witchcraft rituals: Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy set them to music in a painterly way. In this concert, Sir John Eliot Gardiner leads the ensemble he founded, The Constellation Choir & Orchestra, through the incidental music to William Shakespeare's »A Midsummer Night's Dream«, which has just made the rounds in Germany in a translation by August Wilhelm Schlegel. While elves and fairies are up to mischief in an enchanted forest near ancient Athens, druids and witches populate the scenery in the second half of the concert. Pagan sacrificial rituals are the focus of Walpurgis Night, which takes place on the Brocken in the German Harz Mountains. Carl Zelter, who had received the commission from Goethe but did not feel up to it, asked his pupil Mendelssohn to set the text to music: »I want to compose it with orchestral accompaniment as a kind of great cantata«, he replied and wrote the composition, which is rarely heard today.

program

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Schauspielmusik zu »Ein Sommernachtstraum« op. 61 (1842)

Die erste Walpurgisnacht op. 60 (1831)

Place

Wiener Konzerthaus – A Temple of Music and Culture

The Wiener Konzerthaus is one of Europe's most prestigious concert venues and a cornerstone of Vienna’s vibrant musical scene. Since its opening in 1913, it has stood for musical excellence, stylistic diversity, and artistic innovation. With four magnificent halls – the Great Hall, Mozart Hall, Schubert Hall, and Berio Hall – the Konzerthaus offers exceptional acoustics and accommodates up to 1,865 guests.

From classical music and opera to jazz, world music, and contemporary compositions, the Wiener Konzerthaus is renowned for its diverse programming, featuring both international stars and emerging talents. Alongside the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, world-class orchestras, soloists, and ensembles grace its stage, making it an essential destination for music lovers.

Getting There by Public Transport

The Wiener Konzerthaus is centrally located in the 3rd district and easily accessible by public transport:

Subway:

• U4 Stadtpark station – about a 5-minute walk
• U3/U4 Landstraße (Wien Mitte) station – about a 10-minute walk

Tram:

• Lines 2, 71, D (stop Schwarzenbergplatz) – about a 3-minute walk

Bus:

• Line 4A (stop Schwarzenbergplatz)

Train:

• Wien Mitte/Landstraße (connection to CAT, S-Bahn, and subway) – about a 10-minute walk

With its excellent transport connections, the Wiener Konzerthaus is easily reachable for both locals and international visitors.
Wiener Konzerthaus – A World-Class Musical Experience.

As one of Vienna’s most important cultural institutions, the Wiener Konzerthaus seamlessly blends tradition and modernity, offering unforgettable concerts in one of the world’s most beautiful concert halls.