TV broadcast on December 17th in “Experience Stage”
Vienna (OTS) – On Thursday, December 7th, 2023, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra got in the mood for a contemplative Christmas for the third time since 2021 with a brilliant Advent concert in St. Stephen’s Cathedral; the musical event was recorded again this year by ORF III. In doing so, the orchestra, together with the broadcaster and the cathedral, is continuing a TV tradition that began successfully last year. The Frenchwoman Marie Jacquot took the podium for the first time. She led a diverse program with works for soloists, choir, organ and alphorn. In addition to Christmas classics such as “Es ist ein Ros entsprungen” and “O du glückre” there were contemplative highlights from Johann Sebastian Bach, Leopold Mozart, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Giacomo Puccini to Andrew Lloyd Webber. The Egyptian star soprano Fatma Said and the world-famous Slovakian tenor Pavol Breslik were featured as soloists. In addition, the Vienna Singing Club of the Society of Music Friends under Johannes Prinz created a Christmas atmosphere in the festively decorated cathedral. The TV broadcast under the title “From St. Stephen’s Cathedral: ORF III Advent Concert by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra” will take place on Sunday, December 17th, in “erlebnis Bühne” at 8:15 p.m.
In the audience or at the previous reception were, among others, ORF general director Roland Weißmann, Vienna Symphony director Jan Nast, city councilor for culture and science Veronica Kaup-Hasler, cathedral priest Toni Faber, ORF foundation board chairman Lothar Lockl, and the ORF III managing directors Kathrin Zierhut-Kunz and Peter Schöber as well as the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Alexander Wrabetz.
Peter Schöber, program manager ORF III:
“With the Vienna Symphony Orchestra’s Advent concert, we consciously want to convey contemplation, contemplation and warmth of heart to our audience. The unique program conducted by Marie Jacquot is designed to give people joy and confidence in turbulent times. From the most important church in the country with one of the world’s leading orchestras, right in the heart of the most livable city in the world, ORF III broadcasts this contemplative concert on the third Sunday of Advent at prime time. My special thanks go to our partners, especially the city of Vienna, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and our production partner Unitel.”
Jan Nast, artistic director of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra:
“Two sold-out concerts prove that our Vienna Advent has become an established institution in pre-Christmas Vienna for the third year now. Our first guest conductor Marie Jacquot has put together a great program in which our orchestra can show itself in all its diversity. And I’m happy that ORF III will bring this special concert to people’s homes.”
Toni Faber, cathedral priest of St. Stephen’s Cathedral:
“Especially in times of conflict, the concert creates a spark of hope for peace on a small and large scale.”