Wiener Sängerknaben - Vienna Boys' Choir

Founded in 1498 as part of the Vienna Hofmusikkapelle by Emperor Maximilian I for private masses and concerts for the court. Countless famous composers and conductors like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart have worked with the Choirboys.

After the breakdown of the Habsburg Empire in 1918 the fate of the Vienna Boys' Choir was undecided. The Austrian State took over Vienna State Opera and its adult musicians but was not interested in upholding the traditions of the boys' choir with its angelic voices. A private sponsor stepped in and managed the choir. In the 1920s sailor suit were all the rage and so the boys were dressed accordingly - a dress code that has been in use ever since.

To fight a shortage in funding the choir started to organize public concerts with great success. The choir enlarged their repertoire adding motets, secular songs and childrens' operas to their performances.

Today, there are 4 boys' choirs, who constantly tour the world. The choristers are aged 11 to 14 years, attend school together and receive an excellent musical education. Their concerts are usually sold out at an early stage.

On Sundays there is a special chance to admire the boys' choire: accompanied by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Vienna State Opera Chorus they celebrate mass at the Hofmusikkapelle at Vienna's Hofburg.

Wiener Sängerknaben; Augartenpalais, 1020 Wien