Journey 11C3: The Three Capitals...Vienna3

Cap 'n Baldy here!

A big day in Vienna ... let's get going!

    We start each day with a great breakfast ... we need the fuel for the day!

       I am learning some interesting things in touring with Maggie ... for example ... German in Vienna is not the same as German in Germany ... it's sort of like American English as compared to British English. In fact, when an Austrian speaks on German TV, subtitles are frequently used. Another thing ... neither the Germans nor the Austrians can understand what the German-speaking Swiss are saying!
      Here is another tidbit we learned at Schoenbrunn ... most folks in Maria Theresa's time did not wish to touch water ... water carried disease! Two or three baths in a LIFETIME was the norm! I think this horrific situation is beyond the comprehension of most of us now... another thing we can be grateful for today is clean water!

     Today, we are having a real musical adventure! We are singing for Mass and a recital in St. Stephen's Cathedral ... where Haydn, Mozart, Brahms, Schubert and Beethoven have performed! This is where the Big Dogs have done their work ... musical standards are obviously high as a result! Liz had to send recordings to the cathedral for evaluation prior to our being allowed to sing here!

                                Pre-performance preparation and rehearsal ...

 

    In the Choir Loft at St. Stephen's ... our Mass performance and recital are a joy and a success ... many people listen to our recital after Mass ....Barbara is third from the far end in the second row; I am third from the far end in the top row ...

 Construction at St. Stephan's commenced in 1136 ... the church was heavily damaged by fire late in World War II ... restoration is a never-ending process since the church is built of sandstone which discolors in a few years ... above is the "clean side" ...

 

                                                 Clean and Dirty in sharp contrast...

     Restoration work is done behind screens ... local companies support the work ... one such company was an underwear manufacturer ... the church drew the line against racy advertising on the screens ...

                    St. Stephan's Square is a busy place on a summer afternoon ...

    A cool Pedi cab driver looks for customers ... as y'all can see, we need to be on constant  lookout for tripping hazards!

    Ahhh ... after our performance, a touch of HOME ... Pike Place Blend and a Chicken Ciabatta Sandwich ... the young barista speaks English like a Californian ... maybe she is one!

Coffee with the Coffees... Dennis and Joyce ... chillin' at Starbucks -- in Vienna!

 

    We spend a couple of hours at the Museum of Music ... although we are very tired, we opt for a presentation on famous musicians Beethoven, Mozart, Johann Strauss and Schubert ... the docent is excellent and the tour is well worth our effort ...

 

    An original score page by Mozart at the Museum for Music ... he did in fact write his music down without making any revisions!

 

    Dr. Carol Saunders and Sharon Smith rest a bit before our tour of the Museum of Music ... an INTERACTIVE museum ... where, if I so desire, I might conduct the digitally-represented Vienna Philharmonic and have the digitally-represented musicians yell at me if I do it wrong!

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 We climb up stairs to the fourth floor apartment of Dr. Jutta Unkart-Seifert, head of the European Cultural Initiative for the Younger Generation. Her reception of our group is worth the climb ... she hosts us to dinner and presents a welcome certificate to our leaders, Liz Virkler and Dr. Chris Cook ... we sing for our supper!

 

 

     Goldilocks and Betsy Cook collaborate on a Grand Selfie in Dr. Jutta's delightfully eclectic living space ...

                                                Modern art pieces are everywhere!

    Debbie Kurth stares down the Big Fish at Dr. Jutta's place ... the strange critter keeps charging at the aquarium glass wall!

               Becca Tierce plays with one of Dr. Jutta's five totally mellow cats! Though a pleasure for some members of our group, these beloved animals are an issue for others who suffer severely from being allergic to cats!

 

      It is now time to go to our hotel and get some rest! We travel to the Czech Republic tomorrow!

 

     Affectionately,

 

 

     Baldy aka Bob