PROGRAMME

Johann Sebastian Bach
Gavotte

George Frideric Handel
“Pifa” from Messiah
Aria “Rejoice Greatly” from Messiah

Antonio Vivaldi
“Largo” from Winter

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Laudate Dominum
Ave verum corpus

Anton Bruckner
Locus iste

Franz Schubert
Ave Maria

Arcangelo Corelli
Pastorale from the Christmas Concerto

as well as the most beautiful Austrian and international Christmas carols

Program subject to change!

Get in Christmas mood with the most beautiful Christmas carols and festive music at Capuchin Church, location of the world-famous Imperial Crypt.

In the heated church the Christmas concerts span a majestic arc of festive trumpet music, selected texts and the finest Christmas carols - what a wonderful way to prepare for the approaching Christmas in a contemplative and joyful way.

Capuchin Church is centrally located near the State Opera in Vienna's city centre and is known for the Imperial Crypt, which served as the Habsburg burial site for centuries. Its modest interior is also its major asset - visitors are fascinated by the wooden furnishings.

Combo-Ticket: Combine your concert visit with the most famous crypt in the world, the Imperial Crypt. The burial place of the Habsburgs since 1618 lets you feel 400 years of Austrian and European history. Marvel at the tombs of famous rulers, such as Emperor Franz Joseph and his beautiful wife Elisabeth "Sisi", the impressive double coffin of "Empress" Maria Theresa and Franz I Stephan of Lorraine or the modest copper coffin of the reform emperor Joseph II. Last admission to the crypt is at 17:30, so it is wonderful to combine it with the concert.

Emperor Quartet Vienna & friends

"The idea is to do justice to the history of the Habsburg dynasty with our music," says Hartmut Pascher, artistic director of the ensemble. "Over the centuries, the Habsburgs have always been patrons of music and artistic life. Although there were members of the imperial house who did not care much for music, we must not overlook all those Habsburgs who not only promoted music but also actively pursued it themselves. We find good and excellent musicians and even composers in the ranks of the Habsburg family."

It is important to keep this musical tradition alive. That is why the Emperor Quartet Vienna was formed, where great experience meets young esprit, where masterful interpretation is passed on to the next generation, where the joy of making music together spills over to the audience, and where programs are prepared and arranged with great attention to detail.

The musicians of the quartet are experienced chamber musicians who have been members of renowned string quartets and piano trios for many years - many of them teach at universities and music schools - soloists with great successes in international competitions, and graduates who have studied with the experienced members of the ensemble. The quartet can be expanded with wind and vocal soloists, which significantly enriches the repertoire.

Kunst & Kultur at the Kapuzinerkirche

Reviews

Schedule in October 2026