Austria: New Year's concert of the Vienna Philharmonic without audience
Italian conductor Riccardo Muti conducts the Vienna Orchestra in this New Year's concert without an audience.
APA / AFP
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In Vienna, Austria, the traditional New Year's concert of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra which is held every January 1 within the Musikverein will be played without an audience, coronavirus obliges.
It's a first.
The Austrian broadcaster has therefore decided to innovate: a device will record the applause of spectators.
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From our correspondent in Vienna
,
Isaure Hiace
For the first time in its history, the Musikverein hall will be empty for the New Year's concert, conducted this year by Riccardo Muti.
But for the Italian conductor, the main thing is to be able to play.
“
The Musikverein without music on January 1 would look like a grave, it would be a terrible signal sent to the whole world.
Even if the audience will not be in the room but scattered all over the world, it is important to play.
It is not just a moment of magnificent music, it is also a message of hope
”, he believes.
Applause recorded
The ORF, the Austrian broadcaster of the concert, has designed with a company a device allowing previously registered spectators to record their applause at home during the concert so that it can be broadcast in the hall.
“
Initially, we thought we would involve 2,000 people in this operation because it is the capacity of the Musikverein, but several thousand people have asked to participate.
We finally had to close at 7,000 registrants.
There is a real enthusiasm and a lot of people who want to make their applause heard, so it will be the case
”, Alexander Wrabetz, director of the ORF.
The New Year's concert will be broadcast in 90 countries around the world.
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