The eventful year 1848 brought a bourgeois revolution to Vienna. Johann Strausssenior and junior were involved on both sides musically, but for one Strauss hisinvolvement was, meanwhile, quite momentous. A piece of musical history was(presumably) written the Blue Bottle Inn (Gasthaus Zur Blauen Flasche) in thedistrict of Ottakring. Interestingly, caterwauling (Katzenmusik) played acacophonous supporting role in all of this. (Full text on ORF Topos)
Franz Schams (Lithograf), Franz Schams (Künstler), “Das erste (Kulćzyčki’sche) Kaffeehaus in Wien, 1684 / Vom oesterreichischen Kunstvereine in Wien, 1862” – Darstellung des vermeintlich “ersten”, der Legende nach von Georg Franz Kolschitzky betriebenen Wiener Kaffeehauses (“Zur blauen Flasche”), 1862, Wien Museum Inv.-Nr. 47913, CC0 (https://sammlung.wienmuseum.at/objekt/428262/)
The Vienna of the 19th century produced a tremendous variety of music. To this day, however, one name in particular is associated with it: The Strauss family of musicians shaped Vienna’s music and entertainment culture for decades. Johann Strauss and his sons, above all Johann Strauss Son, became the first superstars of the international music business. Including extensive world tours and groupies in crowds. (Full text on ORF Topos)
With his dance halls and coffee houses, Carl Schwender was one of the most successful developers during the Biedermeier era. His most spectacular enterprise was undoubtedly the “New World” (Neue Welt) amusement park. Thousands of Viennese flocked to Vienna’s thirteenth district of Hietzing to listen to the lively waltzes of the Strauss brothers, for example. Sometimes these two even come in a pair to the New World. (Full text on ORF Topos)
In Biedermeier times, the pleasure of dancing also attracted the Viennese to the suburbs. Thus the Sperlsaal in the then suburban Leopoldstadt became one of the most popular entertainment establishments. Here, elegant Vienna spins to the most lively waltzes. waltz sounds. Especially for Johann Strauss’s father, “der Sperl” became his favorite pub. And the first stage for a large number of his works. (German full text on ORF Topos)
Dancing hall „Zum Sperlbauer“ – Photographie after Lithographie by G. Zafourek.
Wagners Kaffeehaus
Wagner’s coffeehouse in the Prater (Hauptallee No. 9, formerly No. 18), also called the “Second Coffeehouse was very popular, especially because of the musical entertainment it offered. popularity. It was built around 1786 and in 1799 Franz Anton de Paula Gaheis described it as larger and more distinguished than the “First Coffee House” in the Prater. From 1802 Ignaz Wagner his daughter Antonie was a friend of Ferdinand Raimund. (German full text)
Quite closely tied to Johann Strauss senior, this restaurant, which is one of the earlier entertainment venues of Vienna, was named after the first chain bridge urban infrastructure of the city. It opened for business on October 1 1825, three days before the opening of Vienna’s first chain bridge or Kettenbrücke (then named the Sophienbrücke, today: Rotundenbrücke) (German full text)
The Diana Hall was built at the beginning of the century on the model of a Roman thermal bath and with a first-of its-kind iron roof structure. In 1840, it was transformed into the predominantly covered swim spa in Europe. For economic reasons, it was refitted and turned into a ballroom and concert hall, gaining prominence in the 1860s. (German full text)
The Augarten (today: Obere Augartenstraße 1) – 52.2 hectares in size and one of the oldest and most most important baroque gardens in the city – was originally reserved for the imperial family as a hunting ground and recreation area. Joseph II made the 30.4.1775 the Augarten was opened to the general public. From this year dates the entrance portal, designed by Isidor Canevale, dates from this year. words can be read: “Place of amusement dedicated to all people by their cherisher.” (German full text)
Johann Andreas Ziegler (Artist), Artaria & Co. Verlag (Verlag), “Aussicht gegen die Seufzer Allee im Augarten” / “Vue de l´allee de Soupirs dans l´Augarten” (1. Etat), um 1783, Wien Museum Inv.-Nr. 18985, CC0 (https://sammlung.wienmuseum.at/objekt/144885/)
Around 1820, the “Cortische Kaffeehaus” in the People’s Garden (Volksgarten) was a particularly popular café frequented by aristocracy and bourgeoisie. The location also became a gathering place for the, so to say, hipster scene of the time. One reason for its great appeal was the popular dance music performed by Joseph Lanner and Johann Strauss senior and junior, among others. Consequently, the establishment became the stage for many a musical premiere. (German full text on ORF Topos)
Unbekannt, Tarock-Kartenspiel mit Ansichten von Wien und Umgebung – Tarock 6: Kaffeehaus im Volksgarten / Curtisches [Cortisches] Kaffeehaus auf der Bastei, 1840, Wien Museum Inv.-Nr. 57064/6, CC0 (https://sammlung.wienmuseum.at/objekt/129577/)
The “Daum´sches Elysium”
Manfred Permoser
As a typical representative of the aspiring bourgeoisie, Joseph Georg Daum made his mark on Viennese social life during the Biedermeier period. As the son of a wealthy grocer, Daum soon demonstrated his entrepreneurial skills. After purchasing the former café ‘Milani’ on Kohlmarkt, he generously remodeled the establishment and in 1830 opened the Daum’sche Kaffeehaus, a luxuriously appointed establishment that soon became a popular meeting place for the aristocracy and high military. (German full text)
The Wasserglacis was a popular recreation and amusement place on the site of the later built horticultural building and the opposite city park 1st district. “Glacis” was the name given to the meadow areas outside the city fortifications, which were not allowed to be built on for strategic reasons. In 1770, Josef II ordered the beautification of the glacis; driveways and sidewalks were laid out and trees were planted. (German full text)
Franz Kaliwoda (Lithograf), Johann Höfelich (Drucker), “Die Wasserglacis der neuesten Zeit in Wien 1848.”, 1848, Wien Museum Inv.-Nr. 87605, CC0 (https://sammlung.wienmuseum.at/objekt/834/)
Our image of the Biedermeier era is slightly distorted. It is not completely true that the era of the authoritarian state Chancellor Metternich only led us to retreat into a private sphere when one considers the music played in public. Even before the revolution of 1848, a popular culture was emerging in the imperial capital and royal seat of Vienna that was supported by new dance music. Instead of being barricaded in the dark at home, thousands joined in the movement. This revolution was founded not least by the Strauss family, but also by Lanner, Ziehrer and many other creative musicians. (Full text)
Gerald Heidegger, Hadschi Bankhofer and Oliver Rathkolb. The places from Straussmania can also be discovered on Radio Wien in the weeks leading up to New Year’s Eve.
