Classical concerts in the Minorite Church - Schedule, Program & Tickets

The Minorite Church is not only home to Vienna's Italian community, it is also one of the oldest and most musically valuable churches in Vienna. It is located directly behind the Hofbug in Vienna's 1st district and the 14th century building can be easily recognized from a distance by its striking gabled roof and church tower, which somehow seems to be missing its spire. After the church tower was destroyed for the second time during the Turkish sieges, the broken helmet roof was simply replaced by a flat roof.

The Minorite Church, which is particularly impressive due to its great acoustics, is not only home to the Italian church community, but is also a focal point for all art and classical music fans. Among the regular concerts, the performances of Vivaldi's Four Seasons and Mozart's Requiem, his most striking masterpiece from the late 18th century, performed by the Mozart Boys' Choir, are particularly noteworthy. Vivaldi was never really able to gain a foothold in Vienna, was probably never really happy here and died impoverished. At the time, he was denied the attention he deserved, but today the regular performances of his Four Seasons in the Minorite Church have become an integral part of Vienna's concert calendar.

Another regular guest at the Minoritenkirche is, of course, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra, one of the world's leading chamber orchestras since its foundation in 1946, continuing a long tradition of playing in one of Vienna's most venerable and impressive churches. The annual highlights are the renowned Christmas and New Year's concerts, which take place throughout the month of December and into January.

Not only the music there will transport you to another time, but also the many important ecclesiastical art treasures. On the north side of the building is an impressive mosaic by the Italian Giacomo Raffaelli, a replica of Leonardo da Vinci's famous wall fresco. However, it doesn't need a Swiss Guard to protect it from thieves, as it weighs 20 tons.

The neo-Gothic stained glass windows above the organ transform the incoming sunlight into a sacred, yet colorful and life-affirming baroque glow. The organ itself is one of the proudest examples of late baroque Viennese organ building. It was built in 1786, using even older pipes from a previous organ. It is still almost in its original condition, but is now awaiting loving restoration and is unfortunately unplayable in its current state.

If you not only want to listen to classical music in an authentic setting, but also experience it, then a concert in the Minorite Church is a must during your stay in Vienna.

Subject to change without notice.