Virtual Stammtisch
Friday 27th June, 2025
‘Verlieb dich in Österreich!
Fall in Love with Austria!’ Gina Hall
AAS Virtual Stammtisch June 2025 – Gina Hall
Friday 23rd May, 2025
The Saved and the Spurned: Northern Ireland, Vienna and The Holocaust
Noel Russell
Friday 23rd April, 2025
Anecdotes and Stories by an Austrian diplomat of Scottish descent.
Patrick Kyd-Rebenburg
Friday 28th March 2025
The Press of the Austrian Centre during the Second World War Jennifer Taylor
Friday 28th February 2025
‘Reise nach Wien!’
Crieff Choral Group’s visit to Allegro vivace, our partner choir in Vienna.
‘Reise nach Wien!’
Crieff Choral Group’s visit to Allegro vivace, our partner choir in Vienna.
Other Events
Visit to the Austrian Embassy
On Friday 13 June, a group of members from the Society had the pleasure of visiting the historic Austrian Embassy building in London. The visit was kindly hosted by Anna Pernegger, Press Attaché at the Embassy, who welcomed attendees and gave a unique insight into the history of the building. We were guided through the different rooms with their decor, paintings and artwork. It was appreciated by everyone, and provided a helpful historical context in which members could think about well known people who have visited the Embassy over the many years. After the tour, members had the opportunity to meet and speak to the Ambassador, who was a gracious host over tea, making it a memorable occasion for all. The Society extends its sincere thanks to the Ambassador and Anna Pernegger for their time and generosity.
Special evening at The Warburg Institute, London WC1
Tuesday 11 March 2025, 6pm Performance of Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde Caitlin Hulcup (soprano) Florian Thomas (tenor) Christopher White (piano)
Introductory talk, ‘Chinese Whispers’: The textual basis of Das Lied von der Erde Professor Ben Hutchinson
Reception with guests, including the Austrian Ambassador.
The event was to celebrate the restoration (part funded by The Anglo-Austrian Society) of the Grotrian-Steinweg grand piano which famed art historian and former Warburg Institute Director Sir Ernst Gombrich brought from Vienna when he and his family fled to London in 1936.
We were warmly welcomed by Professor Bill Sherman, Director of The Warburg Institute, who spoke of the common aims of both the Institute and The Anglo-Austrian Society to promote culture and music, and by our Chairman, Dame Janet Ritterman. Professor Ben Hutchinson, Professor of European Literature at the University of Kent, gave a fascinating talk on the texts which Mahler had selected for Das Lied von der Erde – Hans Bethge’s Die chinesische Flöte, which were free adaptations of classical Chinese poetry. The Australian mezzo soprano Caitlin Hulcup, Austrian tenor Florian Thomas and British pianist Christopher White gave a moving performance of this poignant work.
After the performance there was a very enjoyable Reception for guests, including The Austrian Ambassador, when those attending had an opportunity to talk to the performers and to members of staff of the Warburg Institute.