The Vienna Philharmonic & The Sound of Ambition Exhibition Opening in Washington
The Vienna Philharmonic performed to a sold-out audience of 2,400 at the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, March 4. The evening opened with Also sprach Zarathustra by Richard Strauss and continued with Symphony No. 2 by Jean Sibelius, earning several standing ovations from the audience.
Petra Schneebauer, Ambassador of Austria to the United States, attended the concert alongside members of the Congressional Austria Caucus, including Rick Larsen, Greg Murphy, and Beth Van Duyne. The performance was part of the America250 celebrations marking the United States Semiquincentennial. During this year the Embassy and Austrian Cultural Forum will be presenting a series of events celebrating the shared history, vibrant present, and enduring friendship between Austria and the United States through a range of cultural and educational initiatives.
Complementing the concert, the Embassy of Austria and the Austrian Cultural Forum Washington presented a curated exhibition in the Hall of Nations from February 27 to March 8 exploring the historic and cultural ties between Austria and the United States. The exhibition highlighted influential Austrians who have shaped American cultural and social life, including film legends Hedy Lamarr and Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as architect Victor Gruen, who invented the modern American shopping mall. The renowned Austrian brand Swarovski generously contributed several pieces that were displayed as part of the exhibition. The exhibition enjoyed over 17,500 viewers during its time at the Trump Kennedy Center.
