INTERVIEW: It’s time to ‘Salute’ Vienna
Photo: Salute to Vienna features a waltz to Johann Strauss’ “Blue Danube.” Photo courtesy of Andy Trimlett.
Salute to Vienna is the annual musical celebration of Viennese culture. The cultural spectacular features orchestral music from the Strauss Symphony of America, operetta singing and plenty of dancing, all set to the tune of memorable waltzes and classical pieces.
The seasonal event is inspired by the tradition of Neujahrskonzert, Vienna’s famous New Year’s concert performed by the Vienna Philharmonic. Since not all audience members in Canada and the United States are able to travel to Vienna for the holidays, this “Salute” brings the musical wonders of the European nation to North America.
Salute to Vienna, produced by Attila Glatz Concert Productions, began in 1995 in Toronto. Over the last 25 years, the production has grown into a touring juggernaut, visiting 20 cities in North America. This year, the concert experience stops Monday, Dec. 31 at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, New Jersey, among other locations.
At the helm of the experience is Marion Glatz, one of the producers and chief architects of Salute to Vienna. Recently, she exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What’s new for Salute to Vienna this year?
Salute to Vienna has always something new. While it is an 80-years-old tradition in Vienna and now all over the world through the television broadcast from Vienna, the live rendition of the world-famous, original Salute to Vienna is featuring a new program and a brand-new cast each year.
For instance, this year’s soprano, Iva Schell, has appeared on the Salute to Vienna PBS special, which was filmed in Vienna about five years ago. That TV show has also featured Iva’s late husband, the Oscar-winning actor Maximilian Schell.
The tenor is Martin Piskorski, a young and talented Austrian tenor with an amazing voice. This year’s conductor is Christoph Campestrini from Vienna, a very outgoing and charming maestro who makes the whole concert lots of fun by engaging the audience several times during the concert.
To complement all that beautiful music, we have wonderful dancers from Europa Ballet, Austria and also champion ballroom dancers to perform the ‘Blue Danube’ waltz.
Why is it important for your company to keep this Viennese tradition going every year?
We feel that there is a message through this great music that the [Johann] Strauss dynasty create, because it makes everyone feel good and leaves you positive vibes for the coming year. The tradition in North America is celebrating its 25th consecutive year.
How do you select your soloists for the concerts each year?
There are many activities that are going on during the year to secure the artists. We are bringing about 150 conductors, singers and dancers from Europe to perform the concerts in our 24 cities. Firstly, we evaluate the artistic success of the concerts, and if one cast performed exceptionally, we move them to some other cities for the following year.
Some of them are not available, so we need to find new talent. Each year we travel to Europe attending various summer festivals and concerts to seek out the best talent specializing in Viennese music by the Strauss era.
Fortunately many young people are studying this music [in] universities and conservatories because they are so popular. There are plenty of theatres that are doing full productions of operettas, like Die Fledermaus and Merry Widow, and, of course, New Year’s concerts are being performed everywhere right up until Valentine’s Day.
So, we have a long way to go, but it is comforting that this uplifting music is so much alive around the world.
Do you see dedicated audience members coming back every year?
Since the staying power is so strong for the past 25 years, we can proudly state that our return ration is about 30-40 percent year after year. This is a remarkable achievement in just 25 years of producing these concerts.
Obviously we need new audiences, too, and happy to see younger faces, even kids are coming to the concerts with parents and grandparents because the program is so vibrant and entertaining.
When do you get to properly celebrate your new year? Does rest only come in February?
We celebrate multiple times by attending our concerts. Usually we can see two to three productions because most of the concerts are happening in the same time in another city.
In fact, in the past few years, Salute to Vienna became the largest simultaneously produced concert series in North America. Nothing compares with the feeling when we are sitting in a sold-out concert hall hand in hand and listening to this inspiring music, and seeing the smile on the audience faces.
We get very emotional, and it always brings tears in our eyes.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Salute to Vienna is currently playing throughout North America, and it will stop Monday, Dec. 31 at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Click here for more information and tickets.
