33rd Annual Classical Music Festival

In cooperation with the University of South Florida, The Cultural Department of The Province of Burgenland, The City of Eisenstadt, Austria and The Haydn Festspiele

The Classical Music Festival

In 2008, the Festival continues its marvelous tradition of extraordinary performances of works from the classical period with performances of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis and Joseph Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass both for chorus, orchestra and soloists. The Festival Orchestra and Chorus present concerts in the Esterházy Palace in Eisenstadt, St. Stephens Cathedral in Vienna, and in other venues in Austria.

One of the most exciting features of the Festival is rehearsing and performing in the Esterházy Palace. Surrounded by the same acoustical settings which delighted Haydn, Beethoven and others, music in the Haydnsaal comes alive for today's musician.  You are certain to come away from the Festival with an increased understanding of music from the classical era.  After you return from your Austrian musical odyssey, you will notice that there is a great difference in the way you perform and listen to music, because of your experiences.

Eisenstadt, The City of Joseph Haydn

Eisenstadt, the capital of the federal province of Burgenland since 1925, is situated on the southern slopes of the Leitha Mountains.  Surrounded by a great number of vineyards, Eisenstadt is the smallest federal capital of Austria with only 13,250 inhabitants.

The resident atmosphere of the Festival sets the program apart from the typical European "tour."  Participants live in Eisenstadt, where Haydn served the Hungarian nobility for more than thirty years.  There is an opportunity to truly get to know this quaint town which fostered the genius of Haydn, Beethoven and others.  In no time at all, participants are calling Eisenstadt their "home away from home."

Return to top of page

Preliminary Itinerary  (Subject to change)

Wednesday, July 30  Depart North America from the gateway city nearest your home, flying with the carrier of your choice, to Vienna. In-flight service includes dinner, breakfast, free beverage service, movies, and plenty of time to anticipate the exciting 16 days in store for you in historic Austria!

Thursday, July 31  Arrive in Vienna, capital of the Habsburg Empire and center of Classical Music. A Festival representative will meet flight arrivals for your transfer in air-conditioned buses to your hotel in Eisenstadt. Take time to unpack, enjoy a brief walk around this beautiful, small city, and investigate restaurants before resting for the exciting activities beginning the next day.  Chorus members will have their first rehearsal at 4 p.m. on Thursday for the Lord Nelson Mass so should make their travel plans accordingly.

Friday, August 1  Begin with breakfast at your hotel. Festival Orientation begins at the Esterházy Palace with rehearsals immediately afterward and continuing until noon in the stunningly beautiful Haydnsaal of the palace. After a break for lunch there will be an informative lecture by Dr. Don V Moses , CMF Founder and Conductor Emeritus, on the Lord Nelson Mass followed by afternoon rehearsals in preparation for the first church concert on Saturday. That evening we return to the palace for the Opening Convocation of the Festival with participants as guests of the Governor of Burgenland at a reception following the convocation

Saturday, August 2  Rehearsals are scheduled during the day. That evening we will present the Haydn Lord Nelson Mass at the Mattersburg parish church as a part of the Saturday evening mass. Following the mass we will be guests for dinner at a country inn in the quaint village of Pöttelsdorf.

Sunday, August 3   The Master Chorale has been invited to provide sacred music as part of the Sunday morning mass at the Domkirche and/or Franziskaner in Eisenstadt. Following the morning mass, you will have free time until afternoon rehearsals for Missa Solemnis. After a break for dinner, there will be a combined rehearsal with orchestra.

Monday, August 4   Continue with rehearsals for the Missa Solemnis for performances in the coming days. Participants will also be able to attend a short lecture on the “Ten Points of Classical Music”. A city reception hosted by the Mayor of Eisenstadt will be held following the afternoon rehearsals.  Enjoy the rest of the evening at a heuriger or try some local cuisine at one of the many wonderful  restaurants.

Tuesday, August 5   Continue with morning and afternoon rehearsals for Missa Solemnis and a short lecture about Beethoven’s masterpiece.  

Wednesday, August 6   Castle Day!  Following morning rehearsals, enjoy a trip to Forchtenstein Castle in the afternoon or simply relax and take some time to explore museums and sights in Eisenstadt. There will be an evening dress rehearsal for our first Missa Solemnis performance on Thursday.

Thursday, August 7   Following a morning brush-up rehearsal in Eisenstadt, participants will depart in the early afternoon for a concert of Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis in eastern Austria

Friday, August 8   Vienna Day! We will board buses at our hotels for a full day of sightseeing. Our first stop will be in the village of Rohrau to visit Haydn's family house where he was born 276 years ago. From there we will travel to the Central Cemetery in Vienna where the musicians of the city are buried before proceeding to the city center to visit the Vienna State Opera House and continue on a tour of downtown focusing on important musical sites, all led by Vienna certified guides

Saturday, August 9   Following a morning rehearsal of the Lord Nelson Mass, separate master classes will be offered for singers and instrumentalists. You will also have free time for museum visitation or shopping. In the late afternoon, there will be a style show at the Trackten Tack shop on the Hauptstrasse with festival participants as models.  A chamber music concert is scheduled for the evening.

Sunday, August 10   Buses take us to Vienna's historic  St. Stephen's Cathedral for a performance of Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass as a part of the Sunday morning liturgical mass. The afternoon is free in Vienna for sightseeing. Late afternoon buses return to Eisenstadt.

Monday, August 11   This is the optional excursion day for travel to Fertöd to visit the palace Esterháza or Bratislava. These trips require additional payment. A bus will pick you up at your hotel, and Festival personnel will accompany you for an enjoyable day of new experiences. Return to Eisenstadt in the evening. Those not on these trips may have a free day for visiting museums, sightseeing, and shopping in Eisenstadt.

Tuesday, August 12  Following morning rehearsals for Missa Solemnis, we will board buses in the afternoon for travel to Jennersdorf in southern Burgenland for an evening concert at the Parish Church. Return to Eisenstadt late following the concert.

Wednesday, August 13  Following a relaxing morning in Eisenstadt,  we will have an afternoon brush up rehearsal for Friday’s performance of the Lord Nelson Mass. In the evening, we will have a dress rehearsal for the Missa Solemnis.

Thursday, August 14   In the morning is a rehearsal at the palace with the afternoon free for resting, visiting museums or doing some sightseeing or shopping. This is the last day available for museum visits and shopping since Friday is a holiday and all stores are closed. In the evening we will present Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis at a Gala Concert in the Haydnsaal of the Esterházy Palace. Following the concert, enjoy the Directors' Reception in the Gartensaal.

Friday, August 15   In the morning we will perform the Haydn Lord Nelson Mass in the Bergkirche, the Esterhazy’s church where Haydn's last six masses were first performed and where Haydn is now buried. This mass celebrates the holy day of Maria Himmelfahrt Festgottesdienst (Ascension of Mary). Following the service we will be guests of the church at a reception in the building where Haydn and the other Esterházy musicians lived. The afternoon is free for packing followed by our Farewell Party in the evening!

Saturday, August 16   Begin Festival bus transfers to Schwechat Airport, Vienna, for return flights to the U.S.

Return to top of page

Costs

The Festival is offered to chorus members and observers at a basic fee of $1,295 at double occupancy. This fee includes:

§         Housing (double occupancy, private bath/shower and toilet facilities) from the first evening of the Festival through the morning of the final day. Single room supplements and hotel upgrades are available. Participants may choose their housing on a first come, first served basis. Priority is given to participants who will be attending the entire Festival.

§         Daily breakfasts

§         Four or five receptions, which include light food

§         Bus transportation from the Vienna airport to Eisenstadt and return to the Vienna airport at the end of the Festival

§         Local bus transportation and guided tours according to the official Festival itinerary

§         All academic offerings of the Festival.

There are optional day tours to significant historical sites, which are extra. The basic fee does not include air transportation to or from Vienna from the U.S., which must be arranged by each Festival participant or observer. Participants are welcome to arrive in Europe prior to the Festival and stay after the Festival is over if they wish and travel on their own. Each choral singer is expected to bring a choral score of each of the works to the festival, as these are not provided.

Return to top of page

Observers

The "Observers" category is for persons who prefer not to perform in the Festival Orchestra or Chorus. Observers can be friends or family members who want to enjoy concerts and have the opportunity to visit places of musical and cultural importance in the environs of Vienna and Eisenstadt. 

College Credit/Teacher Certification Hours

Participants may enroll through USF for 3-6 credit hours of undergraduate or graduate study. Documents of certification are also available for continuing education hours for teachers.

Tax Deductibility

The Festival may qualify as a deductible expense for you if you are a professional musician or educator.  Tax laws are subject to interpretation and change, so please consult your accountant or tax advisor prior to departure. 

Insurance

All persons enrolling in the Festival must show evidence of sufficient accident and health insurance coverage during the appropriate time frame for travel in connection with the Festival.

Return to top of page

Payment

Make all checks or money orders payable to the University of South Florida CMF.  Credit cards (Visa or MasterCard) are also accepted for your basic fees.  A completed application should include a deposit of $100.00 which is non-refundable. You will receive a confirmation letter within approximately two weeks of your application along with a statement showing your balance due. Accounts are payable in full by June 1, 2008, and all payments are non-refundable after that time, except in case of a certifiable emergency explained in writing. Deposit may be made by check, Visa, Mastercard, or money order.

The Festival has reserved hotel space for approximately 125-130 singers and observers.  Due to the limited space, we recommend getting your application and deposit in early to reserve your place, since the Festival attracts participants from all over the country.  50% of the housing cost is due by March 1, 2008 and the remainder is due by June 1, 2008.

Additional Information

Our series of orientation letters, which you will receive beginning approximately April 15, should answer most questions you may have.  These letters provide information about preparing for your trip, European travel, what to wear and other helpful hints.

If you have questions about the Classical Music Festival in 2008, please contact:

Return to top of page