If one had to summarise the most magnificent years of the Danube monarchy in one word, one could hardly find a more suitable name than Johann Strauss. The most famous scion of the musical Strauss family allowed the splendour and confusions of his era to flow subtly into his master works. He married the pulsating life of the metropolis to the sounds of the imperial lands to create a bewitching style of music which conjures up enchantment to this very day.

       As almost no other before or since, the legendary Waltz King bridged the gap between light entertainment and high musical standards. This brought him widespread popularity on the one hand, and on the other, real recognition from his famous "colleagues" such as Richard Wagner, Johannes Brahms and Richard Strauss.

       And finally, it cannot be forgotten how important Strauss was - and is - for Vienna as a major power in the music world. It is not a coincidence that all over the world, New Year's parties begin with a waltz - the Blue Danube, and with the Queen of operettas, die Fledermaus!! The melodies of this musical genius unite the world better than any language, because they convey that original lust for life which knows no bounds -whether temporal, linguistic or cultural.