Vienna Boys Choir
VIENNA BOYS CHOIR
The illustrious group of child musicians has been delighting music lovers across the globe for six centuries with their purity of tone, distinctive charm and diverse repertoire which includes everything from medieval to contemporary to experimental music. These gifted musicians with voices of unforgettable beauty are part of four touring choirs that hail from dozens of nations and together give over 300 concerts a year around the world.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram raves “There’s no more gratifying sound than that of children singing. And there’s no more polished ensemble of children’s voices than the Vienna Boys Choir.”
Thank you to our 2023/2024 Season Partner G&J Pepsi.
SELECT YOUR SEATS
Please click on the seats you would like to purchase (maximum 8 tickets per order). Prices listed below map.
Call the Box Office at 859-236-4692 to request accessible seating.
THE BACKSTORY
The VIENNA BOYS CHOIR is one of the most famous choirs in the world, and one of its oldest. In 1498, Emperor Maximilian I moved his court to Vienna to establish the Chapel Imperial there, along with the Vienna Boys Choir. Over the centuries, the court attracted musicians like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Anton Bruckner. Joseph Haydn, Michael Haydn, and Franz Schubert were themselves choirboys.
Today the Vienna Boys Choir is a private, non-profit organization, which relies on sponsorship and donations. The Choir maintains a primary school, a junior and a senior high school. 300 boys and girls between the ages of six and 19 attend the Choir’s Schools in Vienna’s Augarten park. All receive individual voice lessons and sing in one of the choirs. The Choir’s education is open to all, regardless of their origin, nationality, or religion. About third of the students go on to become music professionals.
The 100 boy choristers between the ages of nine and fourteen are divided into four choirs. Between them, the choirs give around 300 concerts each year, attended by almost half a million spectators around the world. Since 1924, the boys have sung over 1000 tours in 100 different countries, which has resulted in a staggering 29,000 performances. At the Sunday services in Vienna’s Imperial Chapel, they perform with members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the State Opera Chorus. The Choir frequently appears with major orchestras, conducted by the likes of Joana Mallwitz, Zubin Mehta, Riccardo Muti, Christian Thielemann, and Simone Young. Recent highlights include appearances at the Salzburg Festival and at the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Concert.
The Vienna Boys Choir’s singing tradition is listed by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage in Austria. Professor Gerald Wirth, himself a former choirboy, is the Artistic Director of the entire Campus.
Please note that the Norton Center is a historic venue with limited accessible seating. Special reserved wheelchair and companion seating is available for all shows. Interpretive services and large print programs are available upon request at least 20 days in advance of the performance. Please call the Box Office at 859-236-4692 to request assistance with your accommodations.
Ticket sales are non-refundable. Tickets purchased through a subscription package may be exchanged for another show in the same season. Tickets are transferable to friends or family. Donations for the value of tickets are appreciated.
Tickets to Norton Center performances are sold exclusively through the Box Office in person, by phone at 859-236-4692 or online at www.nortoncenter.com. If you purchase tickets from any other source, including Ticketmaster, StubHub or an individual we cannot guarantee your seat. The prices of tickets obtained from unauthorized sources are often greatly inflated. The Norton Center is not responsible for tickets purchased from other sources. Tickets purchased from secondary sellers are not eligible for replacement if tickets are lost or stolen, or if the event is canceled or rescheduled.
For more information, please call the Box Office at 859-236-4692 or visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
