VICCAThomas Aigner
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)
https://topos.orf.at/neue-welt100
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)
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)
Manfred Permoser
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)
https://topos.orf.at/cortisches-kaffeehaus100
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)
Isabella Sommer
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)
Gerald Heidegger and Oliver Rathkolb
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)
Straussmania: Pop culture before 1900.
