Vienna Boys' Choir Celebrates Its 500th Anniversary
The Vienna Boys' Choir, established in 1498, marked its 500th anniversary on March 29, 1998, making it one of the oldest and most renowned boys' choirs in the world. Its origins trace back to Emperor Maximilian I, who included boy sopranos in his court musicians after relocating to Vienna. Initially, the choir primarily performed for the Habsburg royal court at religious functions and court events, maintaining a distinct style of high-pitched singing typical for boys aged 10 to 14. Throughout its history, many notable composers, such as Schubert, Haydn, and Mozart, were associated with the choir.
After the fall of the Habsburg monarchy in 1918, the choir faced a significant transition but was successfully reorganized into the Vienna Boys' Choir in 1924, shifting to public performances that allowed it to thrive. The choir's image evolved with a change from military-style uniforms to sailor suits. Today, the Vienna Boys' Choir is based in the historic Augarten Palace and consists of nearly 100 boys, divided into four touring choirs. It continues to perform internationally and has released numerous albums, maintaining its legacy while adapting to contemporary audiences.
Vienna Boys' Choir Celebrates Its 500th Anniversary
Vienna Boys' Choir Celebrates Its 500th Anniversary
The Vienna Boys' Choir, formed in 1498, celebrated its 500th birthday on March 29, 1998. The exact date of the choir's formation is not certain, but it was in 1498 that Emperor Maximilian I moved his court in Austria from Innsbruck to Vienna, which has remained the capital of Austria to the present day. Maximilian provided for 12 boy sopranos to be included among his court musicians. He also founded the Hofmusikkapelle to train them in that style of high-pitched singing which would make the Vienna Boys' Choir so distinctive, and which is generally limited to boys aged 10 to 14. Few boys can attain the necessary level of skill before the age of 10, and after 14 the onset of puberty with the concomitant deepening of the masculine voice disqualifies them from further participation.
For most of its history the choir sang only for the royal court of the Habsburgs, the dynasty which ruled the Austrian Empire (known in its later days as Austria-Hungary), at religious observances and various court functions as the monarchs desired. The boys were dressed as imperial army cadets, in full uniform complete with sword. Many famous musicians served with the choir in youth, including Schubert and Haydn. Many others, including Mozart, worked with the choir.
In 1918, at the end of World War I, the Habsburgs were deposed, and the choir was suddenly left without a patron. Thanks to its rector, Joseph Schnitt, it was successfully reorganized and began using the name Vienna Boys' Choir in 1924. The choir began to give public performances, making appearances in concert halls all over the world, and the resulting revenue ensured its survival. The boys' uniform was changed as well, to a sailor suit (despite the fact that Austria is landlocked), in order to give them a less militaristic look.
Today's Vienna Boys' Choir is a private organization, based in the 16th-century Augarten Palace in Vienna. There are nearly 100 boys in the choir, which is divided into four touring choirs of some 25 boys apiece for performances abroad. The choir has also released albums and CDs, including several very popular collections of religious and Christmas music.