Three days to go before the most anticipated musical event in the world: the traditional New Year’s Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic in the Golden Hall of the Musikverein of the Austrian capital. And after the surreal and courageous one of 2021, in which Riccardo Muti found himself conducting the Philharmonic in front of empty seats due to the pandemic, on January 1st the famous concert, which this year will be broadcast in 92 countries, returns to have the audience in the hall. Or rather – in a solution that puts the organizers’ things in order – a small audience in the room. To listen live to the Philharmonic directed by Daniel Barenboim – who returns to the podium of the Neujahrskonzert for the third time in his career – there will in fact be only 1000 people, many seats available in the stalls, while the 700 seats in the gallery will remain empty.

The choice was made also taking into account the television coverage. The 700 who had already purchased tickets but who will not be able to be admitted to the hall can, however, rest assured, they already have a place reserved for the 2023 edition. “We are very lucky to be able to play in front of 1,000 people, because the music must be enjoyed live “, commented Barenboim during the press conference for the presentation of the concert, adding that he hopes that the notes he will conduct will inspire politicians all over the world, conveying the message” of the importance of the spiritual need of music for all people ”, and not just in times of coronavirus.

According to Daniel Froschauer, president of the Wiener Philharmoniker, all the precautions have been taken for the health of those present: the lucky 1000 who will be able to enjoy the exhibition live to access the Golden room show the green pass certifying the vaccination cycle o healing and a negative result of a pcr test not older than 48 hours, but also wearing an Ffp2 mask for the entire time in the Musikverein. “If something happens now, it is destiny”, said the president of the Philharmonic who is also the first violin of the orchestra. The concert promises to be a colorful journey into music “that reflects times that were better, and for this reason it is loved all over the world”, as Froschauer said.

The official program includes fifteen pieces, six of which have never been performed during the famous concert: in addition to works by Johann, Josef and Eduard Strauss, on January 1st there will be space for composers Carl Michael Ziehrer and Joseph Hellmesberger. And the inevitable waltz is confirmed On the beautiful blue Danube and the March of Radetzky which closes the exhibition every year.