Sacher Cafe, Staatsoper, and Konzert für Europa

Sachertorte- DELIGHTFUL!
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Finally went to the Sacher Café and had the famous Torte. Delectable. For those of you not "in the know," Sacher torte is chocolate cake with a layer of apricot filling, covered in chocolate coating. It’s very famous in Vienna; almost every café in Vienna has knock-off Sachertorte. Nothing’s like the original, though!

Yoonju and I also did the Staatsoper tour. We got to see some fabulous intermission halls from when the Theater was first built in 1869. Vienna was in the height of its wealth, so everything has beautiful sculpting, detailing, and overall design. Lots of gold inlay and chandeliers. The Staatsoper was bombed in World War II, destroying the stage area and some of the intermission halls. Fortunately, they were able to rebuild it by 1955, but unfortunately, Vienna was nowhere as wealthy as it once was. The new parts are still really nice, but not as opulent and almost over-the-top as the old parts. They also have a decidedly "50's" feel.

Juan Diego Florez sang "La Donna Mobile" and it was predictably amazing.

Tree for Werther on stage at the Staatsoper
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While we were in the tour, they were setting up the giant tree for Werther on stage... I got some neat photos.

Today was also the rain date for the Philharmonic’s Konzert für Europa, with Placido Domingo conducting. If you’ll remember, a couple of weeks ago we went and it got rained out. Well, this time it rained again, but they had it anyway. It was way cold; Pete, Krissyboots, and I had to huddle for warmth. Thankfully, we had blankets and umbrellas, otherwise it could have been a very unpleasant experience. Juan Diego Florez sang "La Donna Mobile" and it was predictably amazing. It was strange to be at an outdoor concert where we could talk and be silly during the performance. It was set up like a rock concert in the U.S. The Austrians sure are crazy about classical music.