Christmas and New Year at the Hofburg.

25-26 Dec 2005-1 Jan 2006. The regal surroundings of the Festsaal in Viennas Imperial Palace Wiener Hofburg provide the splendid backdrop for the Christmas and New Years Day performances of the Wiener Hofburg Orchestra. Founded 30 years ago by musician and conductor Gert Hofbauer, the orchestra is made up of around 40 professional musicians and regularly features soloists of international repute. The palace was once the winter residence of the Hapsburgs and it was here that the emperor held his audiences, gala dinners and royal balls. At the Christmas and Boxing Day concerts, the orchestra will perform works by Johann Strauss including polkas, waltzes and two pieces from Die Fledermaus, as well as several compositions by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, including Reich mir die Hand from Don Giovanni. The Gala New Years Day concerts will also feature the works of Strauss and Mozart. Admission 25 & 26 Dec 47 1 Jan 130 Christmas performances 20.30 New Years Day 11.00 & 16.00