For nearly five centuries the Vienna Choir Boys have enchanted millions with their unique charm and exceptionally beautiful singing. From the time of their first visit to the United States in 1932, they have given thousands of concerts and become perhaps the most popular choir ever to tour North America. Each season, they carry on the rich traditions of Vienna's musical life as a living heritage that traces its roots to such figures at Mozart, Haydn and Schubert.
The Vienna Choir Boys were founded by Imperial decree on July 7, 1498 by the humanist Emperor Maximilian I to fulfill his wish to have choristers in the Imperial Chapel. From its inception, this organization has attracted the finest musicians in the West. Mozart became Composer to the Court in 1787; although Josef Haydn was not a member of the Imperial Chapel, he experienced the life of a choirboy, and many of his works are to be found in their repertoire. The greatest prodigy and most famous choirboy was Franz Shubert, who sang as a choirboy from 1808 to 1813.
In 1918 the collapse of the Hapsburg dynasty and the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire threatened to bring an end to the world-famous institution. Fortunately, Joseph Schnitt retained the chaplaincy of the Imperial Chapel and, in 1924, encouraged by his many friends, decided to re-found the boys choir. He felt that the boarding school method was the only practical one of ensuring the musical training necessary for the choristers and, despite enormous economic difficulties, the attempt was made. Schnitt spared no personal expense, and he alone is responsible for the salvation of this aspect of the Austrian musical tradition.
More often that not, two choirs are away on tour at the same time, with each tour lasting an average of three months. On such a tour the 24 choristers are accompanied by a choirmaster, a tutor and a nurse, who are entrusted with their care and welfare. Since 1932 the Vienna Choir Boys has visited America well over 50 times, have completed numerous tours of Asia - traveling as far as Japan - and have toured Australia. They have also appeared in South America and South Africa. They have been received by innumerable heads of state and have had audiences with Popes Pius XI, Pius XII, Paul VI and John Paul II. The time lost on concert tours is more than compensated for by an intensive program of teaching and study in classes which seldom exceed ten students.
Through their films, recordings, television appearances and tours, the Vienna Choir Boys have delighted audiences worldwide with their programs of costumed operettas, sacred songs, and secular and folk music, amply justifying their renown as the world's most beloved choir.
The Choir will be at Mechanics Hall this Friday, December 13 at 8:00pm.