THE VIENNA RING

2ND TOUR ADDED

Der Ring des Nibelungen at the Vienna State Opera under the baton of Philippe Jordan. Plus The Queen of Spades with Anna Netrebko, Sonya Yoncheva in recital and Beethoven 8,9 at the Konzerthaus, Staatskapelle Berlin at the Musikverein. The incomparable Sacher Hotel.

This tour is cultural treasure at every step, with one of the finest hotels in our catalogue, impossible to get tickets for unforgettable performances, off-the-beaten-path tours and a perfect mix of fine dining and the best local cuisine. And Tour Director Richard Koegl will take care of you the entire way.

Vienna is the City of Music, yes, but so much more. Its museums and galleries provide some of the best visual art experiences to be had anywhere, and countless cafés each have their own charm, history and loyal patrons.

Here we attend what is sure to be the highlight Wagnerian experience of 2025-- the Sven-Eric Bechtolf production of Wagner's epic Der Ring des Nibelungen at the Vienna State Opera, under the baton of one of the most exciting conductors on the planet--Philippe Jordan. The stellar cast includes the brightest operatic star on the planet right now, Lise Davidsen. As well, we hear the previous queen of sopranos, Anna Netrebko, in the Queen of Spades, and the stellar Sonya Yoncheva in recital at the glorious Konzerthaus. We also hear Beethoven's Symphonies No. 8 & 9 in the same venue, and the Stattskapelle Berlin at the venerable Musikverein.

Our home in Vienna is the peerless Sacher, the quintessential Old World hotel, directly across from the Staatsoper.

To reserve your space, click here.

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THE VIENNA ‘RING’

Conductor Philippe Jordan

Director Sven-Eric Bechtolf

JUNE 20

DAS RHEINGOLD

Wotan - Iain Paterson

Donner - Clemens Unterreiner

Froh - Jörg Schneider

Loge - Daniel Behle

Fricka - Monika Bohinec

Freia - Regine Hangler

Erda - Noa Beinart

Alberich - Jochen Schmeckenbecher

Mime - Michael Laurenz

Fasolt - Ilja Kazakov

Fafner - Kwangchul Youn

JUNE 22

DIE WALKÜRE

Siegmund - Andreas Schager

Hunding - Kwangchul Youn

Wotan - Iain Paterson

Sieglinde - Lise Davidsen

Brünnhilde - Anja Kampe

Fricka - Monika Bohinec

JUNE 25

SIEGFRIED

Siegfried - Andreas Schager

Brünnhilde - Anja Kampe

Der Wanderer - Iain Paterson

Alberich - Jochen Schmeckenbecher

Erda - Noa Beinart

Mime - Michael Laurenz

Fafner - Kwangchul Youn

Stimme des Waldvogels - Ileana Tonca

JUNE 28

GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG

Siegfried - Andreas Schager

Gunther - Clemens Unterreiner

Hagen - Falk Struckmann

Alberich - Jochen Schmeckenbecher

Brünnhilde - Anja Kampe

Gutrune - Regine Hangler

Waltraute - Szilvia Vörös

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JUNE 21 - Konzerthaus

Sonya Yoncheva

with Francesco Ciampa and the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic Orchestra

Richard Wagner, Giuseppe Verdi, Antonín Dvorak, Giacomo Puccini

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JUNE 24

PIQUE DAME

Hermann - Yusif Eyvazov

Tomski und Pluto - Alexey Markov

Jeletzki - Boris Pinkhasovich

Gräfin - Elena Zaremba

Lisa - Anna Netrebko

Polina und Daphnis - Elena Maximova

Conductor - Timur Zangiev

Direction - Vera Nemirova

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JUNE 26 – Konzerthaus

The Concert of Nations

Jordi Savall , conductor

PROGRAM

Ludwig van Beethoven

Symphony No. 8 in F major, op. 93

Symphony No. 9 in D minor, op. 125

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JUNE 27 – Musikverein Staatskapelle Berlin Christian Thielemann, conductor

Erin Morley, soprano

PROGRAM:

Richard Strauss – Orchesterlieder

Anton Bruckner – Symphony No. 6 in A major

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ITINERARY

Wednesday, June 18

Independent departures for overnight flights to Vienna.

Thursday, June 19

Arrival in Vienna and transfer to the iconic Sacher Hotel, the Gold Standard for "Old World" 5-Star hotels, in the heart of Old Town Vienna’s pedestrian Kärntnerstrasse, directly beside the Vienna State Opera. This evening, we gather for introductions before our Welcome Dinner in the hotel.

Friday, June 20

Following breakfast (included each day), we enjoy a walking tour of the Old Town, including Mozart sites and Stephansdom (St. Stephen’s Cathedral), Austria's most eminent Gothic edifice and home to a wealth of art treasures, some of which can only be seen during a guided tour. Following the tour, we enjoy a traditional Viennese lunch at the famous Figlmuller. This evening, we attend our first performance at the Vienna State Opera: Das Rheingold conducted by VSO Artistic Director Philippe Jordan.

Saturday, June 21

This morning, we meet for a private tour of Schönbrunn, the former summer residence of the imperial family, considered one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Europe. The Habsburgs resided here the better part of each year. Emperor Franz Joseph, who later married the enchanting Sisi and reigned from 1848 to 1916, was born here in 1830. The monarch spent his last years entirely in the palace, which became the property of the new Republic of Austria only two years after his death. Today, the palace is part of UNESCO’s cultural heritage due to its historic importance, its unique grounds and its splendid furnishings. This evening, we meet for an early dinner and then make our way to the glorious Konzerthaus for a recital by Sonya Yoncheva, with Francesco Ciampa and the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic Orchestra (Wagner, Verdi, Dvořák, Puccini).

Sunday, June 22

Today we explore the Imperial Hofburg Palace, which, for seven centuries—until 1918—was inhabited by the Habsburg family and was the centre of its empire. We see the Gothic Imperial Chapel, a remnant of the Imperial Palace during the Middle Ages, where the Vienna Boys’ Choir performs during High Mass on Sunday. We will also visit the stunning Imperial Library. This evening, we attend a performance of Die Walküre at the Staatsoper where we dine during the intervals. Opera’s current diva extraordinaire, soprano Lise Davidsen, is Sieglinde.

Monday, June 23

This morning we depart on a full-day excursion by rail to Budapest, where we tour the city highlights including Castle Hill, the Liszt Academy and the Magyar Opera. After late lunch/early dinner, we return to Vienna.

Tuesday, June 24

Enjoy the full day at leisure to explore Vienna on your own. In the evening, we meet for a cocktail reception before crossing the street to the Vienna State Opera for a performance of Tchaikovsky’s Pique Dame with superstar soprano Anna Netrebko.

Wednesday, June 25

Today we tour the Albertina Museum, which holds works by all of modern and contemporary art history’s great artists. From French Impressionism and Fauvism to works of Expressionist artist groups and the Russian Avant-Garde, as well as numerous masterpieces by Picasso, Kiefer, and Lassnig, the Albertina is home to all of the pioneering artistic ideas of the modern era and the present. Late lunch is included. Tonight, we make the short walk to the Staatsoper for Siegfried (Andreas Schager, Anja Kampe).

Thursday, June 26

Today we tour of the superb picture gallery at Upper Belvedere Palace, summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663 - 1736). The gallery shows a marvellous collection of Austrian as well as international art from the last two centuries: the highlight is "Vienna around 1900 and the Art of the Classical Modern" featuring the largest collection of Klimt paintings (including his gilt pictures The Kiss and Judith), and a number of works by Egon Schiele. Tonight we gather for an early dinner before moving to the Konzerthaus for a performance by Le Concert des Nations and La Capella Nacional de Catalunya conducted by Jordi Savall. We hear Beethoven’s 8th and 9th Symphonies, the latter featuring Lina Johnson (soprano), Olivia Vermeulen (mezzo-soprano), Martin Platz (tenor) and Manuel Walser (bass).

Friday, June 27

This morning we tour Mozart Haus, where the prodigy of prodigies lived and composed, and then Strauss Hall in the former Casino Zögernitz, where all four Strauss composers—Johann Strauss the Elder, Johann Strauss the Younger, Josef Strauss, and Eduard Strauss—once performed. This evening, we dine at the famous Café Imperial before an unforgettable performance at the Musikverein by the Berlin State Orchestra under the baton of Christian Thielemann. Soprano Erin Morley will sing selected works by Richard Strauss, and then we hear Bruckner’s Symphony No. 6 in A major.

Saturday, June 28

This morning we attend a Gala Performance by the world-renowned Lipizzaner Horses at the Spanish Riding School followed by a Farewell Lunch at the beautiful Palmenhaus. Tonight it is our final performance: Götterdämmerüng (Regine Hangler, Falk Struckmann, Szilvia Vörös).

Sunday, June 29

Transfers to the airport for departure flights are included.

TOUR INCLUDES

• Top Category seats for at least 6 performances including at least 5 operas and two concerts

• 10 nights Deluxe accommodation at the Sacher Hotel Vienna

• Full breakfast daily, 4 lunches, 5 dinners and 1 reception 

• Private tours as listed

• Airport-hotel transfers 

• On-site Tour Direction

• Comprehensive Tour Guidebook

FLIGHTS

Flights are not included in tour pricing. Flights should be booked to arrive in Vienna on June 19 (early afternoon latest), and depart on June 29.

TRANSFERS

We provide airport/rail station—hotel transfers for arrivals and departures within within 3 days of the start/end of our tour. We also provide transfers for group meals and performances that are beyond a 10 minute walk.

MOBILITY

There is minimal walking with some stairs and cobblestones during the guided tours. As for all of our tours, we are happy to accommodate you regardless of your mobility level. Please make clear your mobility concerns at the time of registration. We provide transfers for group meals and performances that are beyond a 10 minute walk.

INSURANCE

We strongly recommend that all tour members purchase cancellation insurance upon registration. We can assist you with this, though you are welcome to purchase a policy at your own discretion. For more information about our travel insurance, click here.