{"id":57096,"date":"2023-02-23T08:21:46","date_gmt":"2023-02-23T07:21:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/?p=57096"},"modified":"2026-01-22T10:12:59","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T09:12:59","slug":"wiener-hofmusikkapelle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/wiener-hofmusikkapelle\/","title":{"rendered":"The Wiener Hofmusikkapelle"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/hofmusikkapellesmall.jpg\" alt=\"Sign for the Hofmusikkapelle performances\" class=\"wp-image-57095\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/hofmusikkapellesmall.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/hofmusikkapellesmall-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>July 7th, 1498 was a Thursday, apparently. This was also the day that Emperor Maximilian I decided his chapel choir needed an upgrade, thus bringing to life an institution that is still going strong over 500 years later: the Wiener Hofmusikkapelle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A prestigious state music ensemble<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Orchestra &amp; choir draws from Vienna&#8217;s best<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Performs in the Hofburgkapelle chapel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tickets available for visitors too<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Book a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/en\/vienna-walking-tours-l205287\/?partner=visitingvienna&amp;tq_campaign=LG_Hofmusik\" rel=\"sponsored\">historical walking tour<\/a>* in Vienna<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See also:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/classical-concert\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5359\">Concerts in Vienna<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/hofburgkapelle\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"57099\">The Hofburgkapelle<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tradition and class<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"337\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/hofmusikkapelle.jpg\" alt=\"A performance of the Hofmusikkapelle\" class=\"wp-image-57091\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/hofmusikkapelle.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/hofmusikkapelle-300x202.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The Wiener Hofmusikkapelle, conductor Johannes Ebenbauer; press photo by Lukas Beck)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wiener Hofmusikkapelle translates as Vienna Court Music Ensemble, which hints at a certain history and reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Starting in 1498 with a handful of singers and a conductor, the ensemble became a permanent court institution in Vienna, fulfilling both a musical and representational function for the Habsburg monarchs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This institution grew in size and prestige through the centuries, attracting talented singers and musicians from around Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Hofmusikkapelle&#8217;s scope and repertoire depended on the musical proclivities, policies, and budget of the particular ruler of the time. As a result, the ensemble often took excursions into wider classical music. Though an association with church music remained a constant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/khm\/historical-instruments\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"8887\">collection of historical instruments<\/a> in Vienna, and you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/khm\/historical-instrument-highlights\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"74631\">might spot<\/a>, for example, trumpets once used by the Hofmusikkapelle back in the reign of Maria Theresa (1717-1780).<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/salieri1815.jpg\" alt=\"1815 portrait of Salieri\" class=\"wp-image-66362\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/salieri1815.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/salieri1815-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Antonio Salieri once led the ensemble. Portrayed here in a print by Heinrich Eduard von Wintter from 1815; Wien Museum Inv.-Nr. W 5671; excerpt reproduced with permission under the terms of the CC0 licence)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To give you an idea of the quality and reputation of the ensemble, consider that Antonio Salieri, teacher of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/footsteps\/beethoven\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2056\">Beethoven<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/footsteps\/liszt-in-vienna\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"32394\">Liszt<\/a>, was once its master.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At various times, you might also have heard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/footsteps\/schubert-in-vienna\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1094\">Franz Schubert<\/a> sing or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/footsteps\/brahms-in-vienna\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"31950\">Johannes Brahms<\/a> play the organ. Riccardo Muti is an honorary member today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/austria\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"12860\">demise<\/a> of the Habsburg monarchy following WWI, performances paused for just a couple of months before the Hofmusikkapelle continued under the auspices of the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, it forms a standalone cultural unit within the Austrian Federal Ministry for Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><em>Ad:<\/em><br><\/div><div data-tiqets-widget=\"discovery\" data-cards-layout=\"horizontal\" data-slug-ids=\"exp206741,exp238032\" data-partner=\"visitingvienna\" data-tq-campaign=\"DA_ConcTour\"><\/div><script defer src=\"https:\/\/widgets.tiqets.com\/loader.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who&#8217;s in the ensemble?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Current ensemble singers come from the Vienna Boys&#8217; Choir (or are former members) and the men&#8217;s choir of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/opera\/staatsoper\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"1071\">Vienna State Opera<\/a>. As of September 20th, 2026, singers from the Vienna Girls&#8217; Choir will also be part of the ensemble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The orchestral musicians mostly play for the Vienna State Opera Orchestra and, with very few exceptions, are also members of the world-famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hard to get more prestigious than that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Incidentally, the Vienna Boys&#8217; Choir connection is no coincidence. The choir grew out of the original Hofmusikkapelle in that chaotic aftermath of WWI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where can you hear a performance?<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/hofburgkapelle1.jpg\" alt=\"Steps leading up to the Burgkapelle\" class=\"wp-image-57092\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/hofburgkapelle1.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/hofburgkapelle1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The entrance steps to the Hofburgkapelle)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Continuing its traditions, the Wiener Hofmusikkapelle typically accompanies Holy Mass services on Sundays from mid-September to June at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/winter-palace\/hofburgkapelle\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"57099\">Hofburgkapelle<\/a> (Imperial Court Chapel) in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/hofburg\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"2708\">Hofburg palace complex<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As such, these services offer an unusual and rare opportunity to experience some of Vienna&#8217;s best singers and musicians relatively easily. In fact, I&#8217;d go so far as to say some of the world&#8217;s best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And all in the kind of historical musical setting that Vienna <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/classical-concert\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5359\">seems to specialise in<\/a>. You will need a ticket, though: find details at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hofmusikkapelle.gv.at\/\">official website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is not a concert in the conventional sense: the ensemble delivers the liturgical music from an upper balcony, though the choir typically performs motets in front of the altar at the end of proceedings.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/hofmusikkapelleposter.jpg\" alt=\"Poster advertising a concert\" class=\"wp-image-83248\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/hofmusikkapelleposter.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/hofmusikkapelleposter-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The Kapelle sometimes performs elsewhere, too, with prestigious names in prestigious places: Richard Muti at the Musikverein in this example)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My most recent look at the programme revealed such Mass compositions as Mozart&#8217;s <em>Missa Solemnis<\/em> and <em>Missa brevis in D Major<\/em>, Haydn&#8217;s <em>Theresienmesse<\/em> and <em>Missa Sancti Nicolai<\/em>, Schubert&#8217;s <em>Mass in G major<\/em>, Johann Joseph Fux&#8217;s <em>Missa confidentiae<\/em>, and more of that nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fux actually served as master of the ensemble back in the early 1700s: history is well and truly alive in Vienna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Address: Hofburg-Schweizerhof, 1010 Vienna<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1asmHlbVpicbQLt1557vf6l4l0zQ\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>July 7th, 1498 was a Thursday, apparently. This was also the day that Emperor Maximilian I decided his chapel choir needed an upgrade, thus bringing to life an institution that is still going strong over 500 years later: the Wiener Hofmusikkapelle. Tradition and class (The Wiener Hofmusikkapelle, conductor Johannes Ebenbauer; press photo by Lukas Beck) [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":57095,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-57096","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-culture","8":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57096","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57096"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57096\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":88169,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57096\/revisions\/88169"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57095"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57096"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57096"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57096"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}