On 29th June, the eyes of the entire motorsport world will turn to Austria, Steiermark and the Red Bull Ring. The circuit has a long-standing tradition of providing a big stage for the local cultural scene before the start of the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix. This year’s race will be preceded by an extraordinary performance on the start-finish straight. Against the backdrop of the contestants lined up on the grid and the thousands of fans seated in the grandstands, the Vienna Boys Choir and the Vienna Girls Choirs will sing the Austrian national anthem while dancers of the youth company of the Ballet academy of the Vienna State Opera interpret the music through dance. Be there when culture meets speed and thousands of people are united in a spine-tingling moment. There is still time to get tickets, but hurry!
A unique performance to delight contestants and fans alike
A worldwide audience will be enchanted by a performance of song and dance by the Vienna Boys Choir, the Vienna Girls Choir and eight members of the youth company of the Ballet academy of the Vienna State Opera. No fewer than 52 singers between the ages of 10 and 14 will perform the national anthem in front of the starting grid of the Red Bull Ring. Joint performances by the all-male Vienna Boys Choir and the all-female Vienna Girls Choir are in any case a rare occurrence, but the dance and vocal interpretation of ‘Land der Berge’ by all these talented youngsters is going to be truly unique! Eno Peci, principal dancer of the Vienna State Ballet, is responsible for the choreography, he has been supported by ballet master Callum Hastie.
Precious Austrian cultural asset
There are currently around 138 students from more than 28 countries training at the Ballet academy of the Vienna State Opera. Upon completion of the course, the youth company offers an opening for graduates to gain their first experience of stage performance with the Vienna State Ballet, the Vienna Volksoper and the ‘NEST – Neue Staatsoper’. Further support is provided during their transition to a professional career. In addition, the members participate in the youth company’s own productions and in the ballet academy’s matinee performances, as well as in annual programmes on the main stage of the Vienna State Opera.
Today, there are 90 active members of the Vienna Boys Choir, divided into four concert choirs. They enjoy huge acclaim, giving around 300 performances per year to worldwide audiences amounting to almost half a million. With a history dating back 527 years, the Vienna Boys Choir is a precious part of Austria’s cultural heritage. Joseph Haydn and Franz Schubert themselves were members of the choir.
The Vienna Girls Choir are the independent girls’ choir of the Vienna Boys Choir. What began in 2004 with a handful of singers has grown into a chamber choir of 26 young ladies aged between 10 and 14. Their first major tour this year will take them to Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia and Italy.
