Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera Chorus

The Chronicle from 1927 to 2000



Archive 1927-1936

1927: 5 January: Founding of the Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera Chorus (CA) by the member Viktor Maiwald. 10 March: First Concert in collaboration with the Vienna philharmonic under the directorship of the Opera Director Franz Schalk (Bach: B major mass).

1928: The 100th anniversary of the death of Franz Schubert determines the musical layout of this year. For example an open air concert at the Josephsplatz in Vienna with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.

1929: 10 April: first a-cappella Concert, also under the baton of Franz Schalk (Bach, di Lasso, Brahms and world premiére of the 16 voice chorus, Der Abend- The Night- by R. Strauss). After the death of Franz Schalk the position of Chorus Director of the Concerta Association was filled by the accomplished Chorus specialist: Ferdinand Großmann. As luck would have it the position on State Opera Director was succeded by Clemens Krauss, who displayed complete understanding for the plans and projects of the CA.

1930: Second a-cappella concert on the 25th of april once again under Franz Schalk with works of Schönberg, Palestrina, Bach, Brahms and the world premiere of Richard Strauss´s Hymne, who is in the audience.

1931: The renouned chorus master Ferdinand Großmann takes the place of the deceased Franz Schalk as choir director of the CA. As a special stroke of luck for the CA, Clemens Krauss takes the position of the director of the Vienna State Opera and has understanding of their plans and projects.


The Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera Chorus with Franz Schalk.

1932: To the 200th anniversary of Joseph Hadyn´s day of birth numerous concerts, consisting of his works, occurs.

1933: 10th Anniversary of the collaboration of the CA with the Salzburg Festival.

1934: Guest performances in Budapest and Berlin with a-cappella works. Toscanini conducts the Verdi Requiem in the Vienna State Opera in memory of the assassinated chancellor Dollfuß.

1935: From 1935 highly successful Concert activity under Arturo Toscanini and the new Opera Director Felix Weingartner. The CA achieved the Grand Prix at the Choir Eisteddfod of the Paris World Fair under the new Chorus Director Bruno Walter. During this year there were also performances under the leadership of the new Chorus master, Bruno Walter. During this time concerts took place under the baton of Knappertsbusch, Wilhelm Furtwängler and Josef Krips.

1936: Toscanini conducts two performances of the Deutsches Requiem in Vienna and Salzburg as well as the Liebeslieder- Walzer. by Johannes Brahms in Budapest.

Archive 1937-1946

1937: 10 years of the CA. Gala-concert with Bruno Walter in the Musikverein. Matthäus-Passion under the baton of Hans Knappertsbusch, who was so taken with the CA, that he jokingly nominated the choir to "100-headed Kammersänger". Concert in Rome with audience by Pope Pius XI.

1938: With Hitlers annexation of Austria, culture loses its significance. Neither Beethoven´s IX. Symphony in Salzburg nor Brahms´s Deutsches Requiem obtain the usual resonance.

1939: In this first year of the second world war Clemens Krauss brings the choir to Munich for numerous opera performances together with the Munich Opera Chorus, for example: Lohengrin and Tannhäuser.

1940: In the second year of war Prof. Ferdinand Großmann quits his position as chorus master, protesting against the new occupation of the opera director by the Third Reich. His succsessor is Richard Roßmayer.

1941: Clemens Krauss keeps the choir going by organizing recordings in some radio stations.


The Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera Chorus with Clemens Krauss.

1942: On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra the choir obtains the Nicolai- Medal.

1943: 20th Anniversary of the collaboration of the CA with the Salzburg Festival.

1944: In the closed State Opera, concerts are still being performed, for example the IXth Symphony by Beethoven.

1945: Josef Krips succeeds as the Chorus master, and immediately resumes with a-cappella concerts in the undamaged Volksoper.

1946: Because of the war the viennese amateur choirs (Singakademie and Singverein) are extremely thinned out and first have to be rebuild. Therefore the CA- Choir has to carry all the music activities to this time.

Archive 1947-1956

1947: 20 years of the CA. World premiere of Richard Strauss´s An den Baum Daphne, that he dedicated the CA. Collaboration of the CA at the world premiére of Gottfried v. Einems Dantons Tod in Salzburg (Ferenc Fricsay).

1948: Franz Szkokan takes the position of CA-founder and executive director Viktor Maiwald, who died unexpectedly.

1949: The returning C. Krauss unsuccessfully tries to create an antithesis to the subscription (season-ticket) concerts of the Vienna Philharmonic in the form of the Philharmonic Academy Concerts (Philharmonische Akademien). His efforts were recognised, and under his direction radio recordings as well as concerts in Switzerland and in France came to fruition.

1950: Already after the third Philharmonic Academy Concert this project unfortunately comes to an end.

1951: Triumphant guest- performance in Switzerland with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Clemens Krauss.


The Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera Chorus with Bruno Walter.

1952: 25th anniversary of the CA. The newspaper critict Heinrich Kralik writes:"...What the CA achieved and contributed in these 25 years, in form of beautiful and noble music, takes a place of honour in our music life..."

1953: 30th Anniversary of the collaboration of the CA with the Salzburg Festival.

1954: After the death of Clemens Krauss, Karl Böhm takes over the leadership of the Concert Association.

1955: In this year the Vienna State Opera is reopened and the CA performes together with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Bruckners Te Deum und Beethovens IX.Symphonie conducted by Bruno Walter.

1956: Herbert von Karajan becomes the new director of the Vienna State Opera and demands that all operas should be sung in the original language, which causes the choir to relearn almost the hole repertoire.

Archive 1957-1966

1957: To the 30th Jubilee: A sensational scenic performance of an a-cappella concert with Gregorian chorales, and Palestrina works under Herbert von Karajan is celebrated.

1958: Because of the work-load of the choir, concert performances are almost impossible. One exception is the IXth Symphony of Beethoven at a gala performance in Brussels under Herbert von Karajan.

1959: The opening of the new Grosses Festspielhaus in Salzburg allows the choir enough possibilities to show its real colours.

1960: After a fulminant show of the choir in the Verdi- requiem under Guilini in the Vienna Musikverein, newspaper critics demand more attendance of the CA in the concert sector.

1961: Also in this year, the choir is so engaged in the State Opera, that concert performances are almost impossible.


The Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera Chorus with Richard Roßmayer.

1962: The Concert Association performs in collaboration with the BREGENZ FESTIVAL (BREGENZER FESTSPIELE) from 1962 untill 1982.

1963: 40th Anniversary of the collaboration of the CA with the Salzburg Festival: The City of Salzburg honours the Choir with a ceremony.

1964: A new start of guest- performances in the whole of Austria, this time with the Verdi-Requiem.

1965: Wieland Wagner directs Lohengrin at the Vienna State Opera conducted by Karl Böhm. At the Salzburg Festival Claudio Abbado conducts 2nd Symphony by Mahler and Herbert von Karajan reaches the climax of the season with Boris Godunow.

1966: This year sees the sensational cooperation with Leonard Berstein and the director Luccchino Visconti in the Wiener Festwochen production of Verdis Falstaf.

Archive 1967-1976

1967: 40 years CA. Renewed cooperation with Leonard Bernstein and guest- performance in Toronto.

1968: Once again less concert performances because of numerous new stagings in Vienna and Salzburg.

1969: As aresult of the intensive effort in the performance of new stagings in Vienna and Salzburg, the Chorus only now returns to it´s concert performances under the new Chorus master Norbert Balatsch. Performances, among others, at the Gala-Matinee celebrating the 100th anniversary of 100 years Opera at the ring under the baton of Leonard Bernstein.

1970: In 1970 Herbert von Karajan brings the CA to the Salzburg Easter Festival as well as to Berlin for concerts.

1971: For the first time the C.A. performs at the Carinthian summer (Carinthischer Sommer). A Concert tour to Moscow follows.


The Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera Chorus with Walter Hagen-Groll.

1972: First cooperation with the young Riccardo Muti at the Salzburg Festival.

1973: The 50th Anniversary of the collaboration with the Salzburg Festival: Gala concert with Bruckner´s Te Deum and Mozarts Krönungsmesse (Coronation Mass). Rehearsals are led by the Salzburg Chorus master, Walter Hagen-Groll. Performances with the Vienna philharmonic under the baton of Herbert von Karajan.

1974: The first Advent Concert under Bernhard Klebel in the Vienna Franziskanerkirche.

1975: Since 1975 the CA has been a permanent feature of the Vienna Festival week (Wiener Festwochen).

1976: First performance in the Linzer Brucknerhalle with Haydns Die Jahreszeiten under Kurt Wöss.

Archive 1977-1986

1977: As a result of the initiative of the then directorship of Prof. Helmut Pilss, the first All Saints Concert (Allerheiligenkonzert) with Carlo Maria Giulini takes place. (J. Brahms A German Requiem (Ein Deutsches Requiem).

1978: Giulini invites the Chorus to sing Ein Deutsches Requiem at the matinee of the 200th Anniversary of La Scala in Milan..

1979: Leonard Bernstein conducts a concert following the inauguration of the UNO-City and organises a large continuing USA- Tour.

1980: Herbert von Karajan receives the Clemens Krauss Medal in gold from the CA.

1981: During this year the chorus suffers a great loss - Karl Böhm dies. His position of Concert director remains vacant for undertermined space of time. In November the All Saints Concert is performed live on Television for the first time from the Musikverein.


The Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera Chorus with Roberto Benaglio.

1982: Two significant works of Igor Strawinsky are performed: Oedipus Rex at the Salzburg Festival and Palmensymphonie at the 6th Allerheiligenkonzert in Vienna.

1983: 60th Anniversary of the collaboration of the CA with the Salzburg Festival.

1984: After 18 years activity Norbert Balatsch leaves the position of Chorus master. Walter Hagen-Groll, the long time Salzburg Chorus master, succeeds this position, but is relieved two years later by Helmuth Froschauer. (since 1971 second Chorus master).

1985: For the British Concert Weeks Edward Elgars The dream of Gerontius in the Konzerthaus is performed. Also in this year, for the 9th Allerheiligenkonzert, Benjamin Brittens War Requiem.

1986: Vienna State Opera guest- performances in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Yokohama with Giuseppe Sinopoli.

Archive 1987-1996

1987: A-cappella Gala in the Vienna State Opera following the 60th Anniversary of the Concert Association with the venerable Roberto Benaglio, who had been working as the tender of the Italian fach with the Chorus since the Karajan era. Claudio Abbado is announced the new Concert director.

1988: The swedish chorus master Eric Ericson is invited by the choir to rehearse Ein Deutsches Requilem by Brahms for the 12th Allerheiligenkonzert under Nikolaus Hanoncourt.

1989: In 1989 The Chorus successfully performs two parallel concurrent productions of the 8th Simphony- G. Mahler (in the Konzerthaus as Fest week concert under Georges Pretre, and in the Musikverein as record recording under Lorin Maazel). The 13th All-Saints concert in Tokyo- in memoriam of H. v. Karajan- is televised time delayed to Europe.

1990: The Chorus celebrates the 90th Anniversary of the Vienna Symphonia´s conception with C. M. Giulini and dedicates the All-Saints Concert to the previous demise of Leonard Bernstein.

1991: The Chorus performs the Mozart Requiem under the direction of Sir Georg Solti in the Stephansdom, on the occasion of the Mozart Year.


The Concert Association of the Vienna State Opera Chorus with Riccardo Muti.

1992: Opening Concert of the Vienna Fest Week (Wr. Festwochen) with Schönbergs Gurreliedern with Claudio Abbado. With the resulting continuation, the CA contributes with the performing of the Stabat Mater at the Rossini-Concert in The Theater an der Wien under the direction of Giuseppe Sinopoli. Once again with C. Abbado one performs Lohengrin in the Musikvereinssaal with a prominant cast. Alte Oper Frankfurt: Berlioz Te Deum in connection with the Opera Festival, again under C. Abbado.

1993: 70th Anniversary of the collaboration of the CA with the Salzburg Festival.

1994: The year begins with a Record Recording of Le nozze di Figaro (Abbado). Collaboration at the inauguration of the Vienna Fest Week under the Motto: The Party of Prince Orlofsky (Domingo, Baltsa) infront of the Vienna City Hall (Rathaus). (28.000 in the audience).

1995: In 1995 one of the most sensitive record productions of the Chorus comes into existance, namely that of the Rossini Stabat Mater with the Vienna philharmonic under Myung-Whun Chung. In the State Opera a concert celebrating the Anniversary of the death of Gustav Mahler, his 2nd Symphony with Seiji Ozawa conducting the Vienna Philharmonic. Celebrating the 1000th Anniversary of the City of Krems, Fabio Luisi conducts the Beethoven 9th Symphony in Krems, and in the Musikverein. Giuseppe Sinopoli performs a new CD-production of Elektra in the Musikverein.

1996: Concert in the Vienna State Opera under the direction of Carlo Maria Giulini (Bruckner: Te Deum). Regular invitations of the Chorus to the RAVENNA FESTIVAL (Riccardo Muti)- 1996/1999/2002- with the productions of Cosi fan tutte, Don Giovanni and Le nozze di Figaro.

Archive 1997-2000

1997: 70 Years CA. Prof. Ernst Dunshirn is the new choirmaster of the Vienna State Opera Chorus.

1998: 75th Anniversary of the collaboration of the CA with the Salzburg Festival.

1999: Under the leadership of Zubin Mehta the ladies chorus shone in Mahlers 3rd Symphony in the Vienna State Opera.

2000: Guest performance in Japan with Die lustige Witwe and Linda di Chamonix.
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