HOFMUSIKKAPELLE

Hofmusikkapelle (Hofkapelle) court orchestra, Vienna. Its primary function was the musical accompaniment of mass at court; its beginnings can be traced back to the High Middle Ages. After the extinction of the Luxemburg dynasty in 1438 the court orchestra was taken over by the Habsburgs. At that time excellent musicians played in the Hofmusikkapelle; the first conductor of the court orchestra known by name was J. Brassart. 1498, the year of its reform under Maximilian I, is often referred to as the year of its creation. In early modern times more worldly functions become increasingly important, a development that reached its climax (with musicians such as A. Cesti, Ziani, J. J. Fux, G. Bononcini and A. Caldara) under the "Musikkaiser" (= musical emperors) Ferdinand III, Leopold I, Joseph I and especially Karl VI. Under Maria Theresia the activities of the court orchestra were more restricted. In the 19th century they were limited to religious music and the court opera.

Ticket Information

Mass is performed by the Wiener Hofmusikkapelle including the Vienna Boys’ Choir at the Hofburg Chapel every Sunday morning (and on 25 December) between 15th of September and 30th of June. The performance starts at 9.15 am (duration depends on the mass performed).
You can order tickets in advance by fax, postcard or e-mail. When ordering tickets, please specify the number of tickets, the date of the mass you want to attend, the price category you have chosen and your address and fax number.

The price per ticket is 5, 14, 17, 21, 26 or 29 euros.
Please note that the tickets at 5 euros do not permit direct view of the service. The standing room is free and opens at 8.30 am on Sunday.

Please be prepared to pay in advance by bank transfer. Credit cards or cheques cannot be accepted. If ordering tickets within 10 days in advance we ask you to pay cash.
Tickets will not be sent to you, but you can collect them at the booking office at the Hofburg Chapel on the Friday before your chosen date between 11 am and 1 pm and between 3 pm and 5 pm or immediately before mass between 8.15 and 8.45 am.

Office hours at Christmas time: THURSDAY, 23rd and 30th of December between 11 am and 1 pm and between 3 pm and 5 pm or immediately before mass between 8.15 and 8.45 am; we’ve CLOSED on 24th and 31st of December!

Please note that photographing, filming or tape recording is not permitted during mass.

Sincerely yours die Verwaltung der Wiener Hofmusikkapelle
A-1010 Wien, Hofburg-Schweizerhof
Tel.: +43 (1) 533 99 27, Fax.: +43 (1) 533 50 67 / 75,
whmk@chello.at

Programm

Geändert am 01.10.2010