WAGNER ALERT! MAY WEEKENDS IN VIENNA For the independent traveller   Wagnerians will be spoilt for choice during the month of May in Vienna when performances of Tristan and Die Walkure are scheduled featuring some of the finest Wagner singers in the world today.

TRISTAN UND ISOLDE AT THE VIENNA STATE OPERA 4-6 May Our independent traveller weekend provides you with the convenience of scheduled flights, private transfers, first class hotel accommodation and, of course, good quality performance tickets, whilst leaving your days free to enjoy the Imperial capital of the Habsburgs, the palaces, churches and museums as well as the shops, restaurants and to discover the city for yourself. Tickets are included for Tristan und Isolde with Waltraud Meier and Matti Salminen and are also available for Donizetti's Roberto Devereux with Edita Gruberova and Ramon Vargas. One of this season's new productions, the opera has never before been staged at the Vienna State Opera.

FRIDAY 4 MAY

Depart London Heathrow on British Airways at 0855. Arrive Vienna Airport at 1210. Private transfer to the 4 star Hotel Astoria, located within easy walking distance of the Vienna State Opera.

Optional evening performance of Robert Devereux (Donizetti) at the Vienna State Opera. C: Marcello Viotti. Cast includes: Edita Gruberova, Ramon Vargas.

SATURDAY 5 MAY

Full day at leisure to explore the city. There are so many aspects of Vienna to choose from. You may wish to explore the palaces of Vienna's grand imperial past, the Hofburg, Schšnbrunn and the Belvedere, or browse in the Kunsthistorisches Museum filled with Old Masters collected by the Habsburgs and the Secession Building with Gustav Klimt's famous Beethoven Frieze.

The Gothic masterpiece, St Stephen's Cathedral is at the heart of the city and there are many magnificent baroque churches to explore: the Karlskirche and the Michaelskirche amongst the most famous. As the musical capital of Europe from the late 18th to the mid 19th centuries the city is steeped in musical history. Mozart, Haydn and Gluck, Beethoven, Schubert and Brahms amongst others all lived in Vienna and it is interesting to visit some of the places where they lived and composed. You can even journey to the central cemetery, the last resting place of many of these geniuses.

In the Hofburg Palace the Musical Instruments Museum is also well worth a visit. And of course, no visit to Vienna would be complete without stopping at one of the famous coffee houses, or perhaps at the Hotel Sacher for a slice of the famous sachertorte topped with whipped cream.

Evening performance of TRISTAN UND ISOLDE (Wagner) at the Vienna State Opera. C. Semyon Bychkov.
Cast includes: Waltraud Meier, Ulla Sippola, Gšsta Winbergh, Matti Salminen, Peter Weber.

SUNDAY 6 MAY

Morning at leisure in Vienna. Private transfer to Vienna Airport and depart on British Airways at 1310. Arrive London Heathrow at 14.30.

VIENNA CARD

To facilitate your weekend in Vienna we recommend you purchase The Vienna Card at your hotel for 210ATS (£10 approx). This will give you 72 hours unlimited access to the city's efficient public transport system, by tram, underground train or bus, as well as discounted entrance to many of the city's major museums and historical buildings and reductions at participating shops, cafes and restaurants.

DIE WALKURE

Wagnerians will not want to miss a very special performance at the Vienna State Opera in May. Donald Runnicles conducts Die Walkure featuring a superb cast headed by Hildegard Behrens and Placido Domingo with Rene Pape, James Morris, Violeta Urmana and Gabriele Maria Ronge. Two performances are scheduled on 10 and 13 May and Travel for the Arts can arrange a visit to Vienna including tickets for one of these dates.

To discuss your Á la carte opera break including individually tailormade travel arrangements please telephone 020 7483 4466 and speak to one of our consultants.

	PRICE per person 3 Day Tour Price £520.00 Single Room Supplement £57.00 Deposit required £225.00 Booking Deadline 31 Jan Tour Code VIE Tour price includes Flights and airport taxes - transfers - accommodation - Buffet breakfast daily - 2nd category ticket for Tristan und Isolde. Dress: Lounge suit Supplements Additional tickets. Please request at time of booking. 4 May Roberto Devereux £121.00