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Brass band
Post from 05/09/2012

This is how summer sounds

A brass band passes through the village road whilst the sun is shining brightly, the hunting horn and tuba echo, the way is lined with people wearing costumes and in the evening there is a folk dance that takes place in the village square. This is the picture many associate with Austria. The Alpine Republic is though far more musically diverse. Particularly in the summer when many tourists visit Austria there are a number of events that take place which make use of the sunny weather and are held outside. We would like to introduce you to some of the most popular and unusual events that will show you Austria from a completely different side.


Lake festivals

The world famous Bregenzer Festspiele (Bregenz Festival 18th July to 18th August 2012) attracts an array of visitors each year anew with its program. The lake stage, globally the largest of its kind, is set up in Lake Constance and offers a different range of productions which include operas, operettas and musicals. This year the opera “Andrea Chénier” is being brought to the stage with the “The Magic Flute” from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart following in the next two years. As the accommodations in Bregenz are generally booked up quickly it is recommended to consider an apartment in the surrounding Bregenz Forest. You will be in the midst of a picturesque mountain landscape but at the same time very close to the cultural highlights.

Less on the radar but equally attractive is the Seefestspiele in Mörbisch at Lake Neusiedl (12th July to 25th August). Mörbisch is known for its operetta productions with the “Die Fledermaus” (“The Bat”) from Johann Strauß on the program for this year. Next to cultural highlights Lake Neusiedl and Burgenland offer an elegant ensemble of nature and culture. Beyond the cultural program explore the unique landscape around the lake with its flora and fauna. It is the only Endorheic Lake in Central Europe. From here it is a stone’s throw to Hungary.


Festivals

Former granary as holiday house
Former granary as holiday house

In Carinthia the Carinthische Sommer (Carinthian Summer) offers a diverse program of operas, chamber concerts, serenades, organ concerts and stage plays in July and August. The “Music Theatre Day for Children” that takes place at the same time is particularly great for families. Over a ten day workshop an own play is rehearsed and later performed. The venues of the festival are in the towns of Villach and Ossiach both situated directly at Lake Ossiach. You are able to choose from around 100 holiday apartments and houses around the lake. Those interested can spend their vacation in a house that has been typically furnished in alpine style. How about this lovingly restored granary? Grain is not stored here anymore but instead you can spend a good night in such an accommodation!

At Traunsee the Salzkammergut Festwochen Gmunden are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. From mid July a varied program is offered for six weeks which comprises of arts and photographic exhibitions, concerts for children, readings, films, jazz and African music that will not only excite music lovers. The region around Traunsee and the neighbouring Attersee is also a lovely destination in the summer as one is able to combine cultural highlights with excellent water sport activities.


Brass music


The small village of Ort in Innkreis plays host to Woodstock of Brass Music where at the end of June brass band groups from across the globe come here to perform. Next to the bands from the Alpine Republic that offer a more well known repertoire there are also groups which provide a different interpretation including some exciting musical experiments. This festival is popular with fans of brass band music. If you don’t feel like camping then why not consider renting a holiday apartment in Upper Austria.

Holiday house in Schladming
Holiday house in Schladming

Schladming and Haus in Ennstal in Styria are the hosts of a further event highlight for brass band enthusiasts which take place in the second week of July. From all over the world more than 40 orchestras with around 2,500 musicians come together to indulge in their passion. In addition to concerts that are held in various settings there are also different competitions which run in different categories. Lust for a holiday will surely be created when you take a look at this house that has several holiday apartments. In the summer the balconies with blossoming flowers will welcome you!

Street festivals

From the end of July until the beginning of August the nine day festival La Strada takes place in Graz. The city is turned into a large stage that enchants its visitors. Next to open air events there are theatre productions performed in unusual settings like for example in a court building.

During July the Innsbrucker Promenadenkonzerte (Innsbruck Concerts) in the courtyard of the Imperial Palace (Kaiserlichen Hofburg) offer free concerts for all. Next to regional orchestras there are international groups that perform and show off their skills. Innsbruck is at the heart of Tyrol and also refers to itself as the “Capital of the Alps”. The city is embedded in the Inn Valley and surrounded by a number of attractive holiday villages. Towns such as Kühtai, Sellrain, Maurach am Achensee and Zell am Ziller are not only popular holiday destinations in the winter but also very frequently visited in the summer months. Here you are able to enjoy the nature and take a deep breath of fresh air. A customer had a similar experience who wrote following review for a holiday apartment in this area: “In a lovely location at the edge of the forest and quiet except for the pleasant ripple of the stream.”

Residence at Wörthersee
Residence at Wörthersee

A very different type of event is the World Bodypainting Festival 2012 in Pörtschach at Wörthersee. Next to the World Championships in different categories of body painting there are a number of international bands that perform here and attract particularly a young audience. Wörthersee in Carinthia is also highly popular with water sport enthusiasts during the summer period. Bathers can be found along one of the many lidos and with 25-26° degrees the lake is ideal in the summer both for more sensitive people and children. You are able to select from about 80 holiday apartments and houses that are spread around the Wörthersee. Partly they provide a great view towards the lake like this studio for 2 people.