Film festival on Rathausplatz - A midsummer night’s music

“Summertime, and the living is – music!” If George and Ira Gershwin could re-write their famous classic today, Vienna in the summer would be their inspiration.

The “world capital of music” lives up to its reputation this July and August as well. Featuring the greatest stars of classical music, operas, operettas, ballet and jazz, the 17th edition of the film festival on Rathausplatz is one of the central events of Vienna’s cultural summer.

Up to 700,000 guests, 40 per cent of them from abroad, come to the film festival on Rathausplatz every year to enjoy cultural highlights of the previous year and many other musical treats. These are shown free of charge on a huge screen (over 230 square metres) in front of the stunning backdrop of Vienna’s City Hall. Celebrated performances of Jules Massenet’s “Manon” and Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro” with superstar Anna Netrebko or the 2007 New Year’s Concert are sure to attract big crowds, just like concert recordings of Glenn Gould and Keith Jarrett.

Paul Anka makes rock swing, Daniel Barenboim stages “Carmen” and the Live Earth concert – where more than 100 world stars play in cities all over the world to promote climate protection – is broadcast on 7 July. Ballets like “Swan Lake” and “Cinderella” and performances by the Nederlands Dans Theater cater to lovers of classic and modern dance. Children can also enjoy “high” culture with Mozart’s “Bastien and Bastienne” and the “Magic Flute for Children”.

Jazz aficionados can look forward to great live concerts as well. Stars like Holly Cole (9 July), Robin McKelle (11 July) or Malia (12 July) play on Rathausplatz at 6 p.m. as part of the Vienna Jazz Festival. The popular jazz brunches with newcomers from Vienna start every Sunday at noon. T0he festival has been completely revamped this year: films are not only shown on a bigger screen but also in high definition quality and with 5.1 digital sound. The audience area has been redesigned as well – top caterers offer culinary delights from the Caribbean to Japan and, of course, excellent Viennese cuisine.

Cinema under the stars

Vienna’s most popular open air “cinema under the stars” in Augarten park guarantees cosy film nights with the greatest movie stars. Hollywood classics, European and Asian auteur cinema and several premieres are on the programme that runs from 28 June to 12 August. A special tribute is devoted to Jerry Lewis, the legendary king of 20th-century comedy, and some of his best films.

See also: Balmy nights in the shine of bright projectors

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Rathausplatz film festival Prater Film Festival www.wien-event.at Cinema under the stars All summer cinemas at a glance

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Aliens at the Prater The Prater Film Festival from 5 to 29 July takes you on a trip to “galaxies far, far away”. This year the festival in the world’s oldest amusement park is dedicated to the science-fiction genre. The programme includes rare classics such as John Carpenter’s “Dark Star”, George Lucas’s “THX 1138” or “Dr. Strangelove, or How I learned not to worry and love the bomb” by Stanley Kubrick. Screenings on Kaiserwiese in front of the Giant Ferris Wheel start at 9.30 p.m.