On the Trail of Dvořák

When people think of Dvořák’s life, they often associate it with Prague, his summer retreat in Vysoká u Příbramě, or New York. Few realise, however, that the city he visited most often was Vienna—one of the leading cultural and political centres of the time. He travelled there at least twenty-seven times. This year’s journey highlights not only Dvořák’s frequent visits but also Vienna’s enduring status as a cultural hub.

Participants will explore key sites connected to the composer: the Musikverein and the Vienna State Opera, the Vienna Philharmonic archives (home to rare materials about Dvořák), and the Upper Belvedere, where he and the Czech Quartet visited Anton Bruckner. The tour also includes the Hofburg, where he was received by Emperor Franz Joseph I; the historic Parliament, where he served as a lifelong member of the Imperial Council; the former house on Karlgasse, home to Johannes Brahms; and the Goldenes Lamm Hotel, where Dvořák regularly stayed. A major musical experience is also part of the programme.

Though his stays in Vienna were brief, their impact was great. Alongside Brahms, Dvořák was in contact with Gustav Mahler, conductor Hans Richter, and influential critic Eduard Hanslick. All were admirers of Dvořák’s music and key figures in the musical world.

In Vienna, Dvořák conducted his Violin Concerto and The Spectre’s Bride. His Heroic Song premiered there under Mahler’s baton. The city also saw performances of his Requiem and even Saint Ludmila, which succeeded despite the anti-Czech bias held by some of the local public and press.

Dvořák’s music triumphed over prejudice. Today, his works are a regular part of Vienna’s concert scene, and Rusalka has been staged nearly fifty times at the Vienna State Opera.

A highlight of the trip is the Sommernachtskonzert of the Vienna Philharmonic in the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace—another site visited by Dvořák. Though he features on the programme only with Slavonic Dance No. 1, the event itself evokes the spirit of old Vienna, with one of the world’s great orchestras performing under the open sky in a setting rich with shared history.

Please note: capacity for this year’s excursion has already been reached.