NEW & NOTEWORTHY America welcomes Viennese baritone Daniel Serafin to the "Salute to Vienna" PBS Television Special! |
The excitement is mounting in anticipation of the “Salute to Vienna” Operetta Gala performance on April 25, 2013 at the famous Konzerthaus in Vienna, which will be taped for PBS Television. The “Konzerthaus” is celebrating its 100th year anniversary, so it couldn’t be a better timing to produce “Salute to Vienna” right in its home turf. The concert will be narrated by internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade and Academy award winning actor, Maximilian Schell. The line-up of soloists are selected from Vienna’s finest talent, accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra of the Volksoper under the direction of Strauss specialist Maestro Peter Guth and the young Venezuelan conductor Manual Lopez Gomez. Joining the many star soloists are dancers from the Vienna State Opera Ballet and the Vienna Choir Boys. One of the featured soloists of this Operetta Gala is the young Austrian baritone Daniel Serafin. Salute to Vienna’s social media correspondent Mijana Veljkovic caught the star in Vienna for an exclusive interview: How did you get involved with singing? How old were you when you started to take lessons?
As I was surrounded by music within my family it was an easy decision to start in the same field and become an opera singer.I started with singing lessons when I was 17 years old. Besides that I also studied economics. How much influence was on your decision that your father was a singer as well? My father Harald Serafin, a famous and well-known opera singer in Austria, therefore he was a main inspiration to me. I wanted to become a singer and started my studies at the "Universität für Musik" in Vienna, later on switched to the Mozarteum in Salzburg and finished my studies at Juilliard School in New York.Another great inspiration to become a singer was Peter Seiffert, a well-know german Wagner tenor and vocal coach.
What is your favourite art form? Operetta, Opera, Lieder, others?
It is very hard to decide among those three genres, as they all are unique. I love to sing opera and it makes over 50% of my past and upcoming schedules, nevertheless, I also did wonderful operettas for huge a audience which was also broadcasted live on HD in Europe. I started 2 years ago with my Lied recital programs, which I performed throughout the United States (NYC, L.A., Miami, Boston and Washington D.C.) as well as Europe and Asia. My actual program is named: "Forbidden and Banned - Persecuted music" with works my Mendelssohn, Meyerbeer, Schönberg and Mahler. I have also performed in musicals which are also a different music art form. Indeed it is difficult for me to say which one is my favourite, as all of them have their beauty and magic within them.
What other famous tenor arias can you perform from the Operetta repertoire?
At this point I have to mention that I am a baritone and not a tenor. Most of the operetta arias are indeed written for tenor, but I receive orchestral arrangements for baritone and love to perform them at many concerts. "Dein ist mein ganzes Herz" (Yours is my Heart Alone), "Gern hab ich die Fraun geküsst" (Girls were Made to Love and Kiss) as well as "Das Werberlied" from (Zigeunerbaron), just to mention a few, are wonderful arias which I perform frequently. There are many more works though by Kalman, Stolz, Lehar and Jurmann, which I have sung on countless occasions over the past few years.
Do you often go back and forth playing both tenor and baritone roles? To do something like this is quite impressive – do you find it challenging?
To explain that precisely: I am a baritone, no doubt about that. I never wanted to be a tenor, as the baritone roles in opera have a broad perspective of characterization. Tenors tend to be the "lovers" i.e. Romeo. Baritones are sometimes the best friend of the tenor or the worst enemy.I love to sing my baritone repertory. In concerts though, it is often the case that a baritone sings a tenor aria, in a transposed key.
What is your favourite Operetta and Operetta role that you have performed?
It is very difficult to name ONE operetta as my favourite, but "Die Fledermaus" (The Bat) by Johann Strauss is definitely one of the best operettas ever written, as well as the “The Merry Widow” by Franz Lehar. The roles of Dr. Falke in "Die Fledermaus" and Count Homonay in "Gypsy Baron" are definitely my favourite roles to perform. Both are strong characters and have great arias/duets and ensembles to sing.
We learned that you are part of the special “Salute to Vienna” concert at the Konzerthaus in Vienna, which will be recorded for PBS Television in America.What does this mean to you? Are you excited that this concert will be broadcast for three years on America’s largest cultural channel?
It will be seen by millions of people. I had the chance to perform for several television shows and broadcasts, including 5 DVDs of Opera and Operetta productions which are sold world-wide. The fact that "Salute to Vienna" will be shown on PBS Television over three years for millions of viewers, is something very special though. It is a pleasure to perform in this program, with my wonderful colleagues, and I'm looking forward to my future concerts with "Salute to Vienna" in the United States and Canada.
 Tickets for “Salute to Vienna” at the Konzerthaus are available at:
www.konzerthaus.at or call +011 43 1 242002
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Our Salute to Vienna Program Book Survey Contest! |
This season's program book winner is Susanne S. from Los Angeles, California! Congratulations and we're looking forward to seeing you at next year's concert! |
HAPPY NEW YEAR! PROSIT NEUJAHR!
ANNOUNCING OUR SPECIAL TORTE AND COFFEE WINNER! |
Once again, this season's Salute to Vienna was such a tremendous success and we couldn't have done it without our loyal patrons and as well as new ones! our artists and dancers had so much fun performing for you all and we would like to thank you all once again for attending and spreading the joy of the New Year! There is so much in store for 2013 and we are so excited to be sharing more news in the coming weeks. We are also happy to announce our very lucky winner Sallee Kraics who has won a delicious Original Sacher-Torte and Coffee! Your prize is on its way from Vienna! Thank you so much to all who entered - we are very happy to have so many new followers. Don't worry because we have so many contests in store this year and will be announcing our newest in the coming weeks. Stay tuned! 
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Our SEPTEMBER "Salute to Klimt" contest winner! |
Congratulations to Mme. Legault from Montreal, Quebec! Your scarf is on its way! Until October...keep entering! |
Our AUGUST "Salute to Klimt" contest winner! |
Christine from New Jersey is our very excited Klimt silk scarf winner for the month of August! Keep sending us your entries for September! |
Our JULY "Salute to Klimt" contest winner! |
Congratulations to Irene Gogus from Toronto, Ontario! Stay tuned for a very special "News and Noteworthy" posting related to one of our recent winners coming soon... |
Our JUNE"Salute to Klimt" contest winner! |
Congratulations to Dorothy Rog from Westmont, IL!
Your scarf is on its way from Vienna! |
Our MAY "Salute to Klimt" contest winner! |
Congratulations to Caroline Conway from Montreal, Quebec! She is our latest Klimt inspired scarf winner! Now remember, we will be drawing for one winner every month so visit salutetovienna.com today and click on the "2012 Year of Klimt" contest button and sign up. You could be our June winner! Thank you again to the Vienna Tourist Board for these fantastic prizes! |
We made it in the Top 20 Pollstar Ratings! |
We have made it to #18 in the rating for Top 20 Concert Tours rated in Pollstar Magazine! Have a look at how we did: "The Top 20 Concert Tours ranks artists by average box office gross per city and includes the average ticket price for shows in North America. The previous week's ranking is in parentheses. The list is based on data provided to the trade publication Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers." TOP 20 CONCERT TOURS 1. (1) Cirque du Soleil — "Michael Jackson: The Immortal"; $2,256,258; $109.63. 2. (3) Cirque du Soleil — "Dralion"; $1,082,832; $63.41. 3. (4) Cirque du Soleil — "Quidam"; $964,552; $65.33. 4. (5) Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band; $785,284; $72.04. 5. (6) Trans-Siberian Orchestra; $669,328; $53.05. 6. (7) Jason Aldean; $592,300; $44.11. 7. (8) Brad Paisley; $586,414; $52.70. 8. (9) Blake Shelton; $359,141; $47.89. 9. (10) Jeff Dunham; $347,529; $46.73. 10. (12) Lady Antebellum; $323,411; $45.12. 11. (11) Miranda Lambert; $321,140; $44.98. 12. (13) Eric Church; $266,671; $34.68. 13. (14) Rain — A Tribute To The Beatles; $176,879; $45.87. 14. (15) Rise Against; $148,490; $34.03. 15. (17) "Mythbusters"; $144,212; $53.09. 16. (18) Mannheim Steamroller; $141,331; $56.99. 17. (19) "Winter Jam" / Skillet; $135,095; $11.11. 18. (20) Salute To Vienna; $132,574; $78.87. 19. (New) Michael Flatley's "Lord Of The Dance"; $131,624; $60.05. 20. (New) Wilco; $106,690; $44.82. |
WE HAVE OUR 2012 SOUVENIR PROGRAM BOOK CONTEST WINNER!!! |
Congratulations to Erika Banski from Edmonton, Alberta! She named all paintings correctly that were featured in our "Salute to Klimt" contest. You have won two tickets to next year's concert! The correct titles were: "The Kiss" "Tree of Life" "Garden Path with Chicken" Stay tuned for our latest contest announcement! |
OUR SMOLKA TOURS WINNER HAS BEEN DRAWN! |
Congratulations to Eileen Bondy from Boynton Beach! She has won our annual Waltzing Through Vienna program survey contest with Smolka Tours. Enjoy your fabulous Viennese vacation! |
OUR TRAFALGAR TOURS WINNER HAS BEEN DRAWN! |
Congratulations to Michele Goulet from Quebec City! She has won our annual Sound of Music program survey contest with Trafalgar Tours. Stay tuned for our Smolka Tours contest draw... |
We would love to hear from you! |
Share your Salute to Vienna moments from this year - photos, stories, etc. We would love to know and see how you enjoyed New Year's Concert 2012. Share with us on Facebook, Twitter or email to: info@salutetovienna.com We can't wait! |
Our Very LAST Original Sacher-Torte winner!!! |
Congratulations to Marion Ockens from New York, New York! She is the very last winner for our "Win an Original Sacher-Torte" contest. Not to worry, we have new contests on their way... |
Some Special Offers from our Partners... |
 Special Offer for Patrons– $5 off General Admission Show your Salute to Vienna ticket stub at the Admission desk in the lobby and get $5.00 off your general admission. Offer Valid until February 28, 2012. One admission discount per ticket. Not valid with any other offer or for the FUSE events. Redeemable onsite only. No cash value. Currently on view: Shore, Forest and Beyond: Art from the Audain Collection. See 178 exquisite artworks from one of the finest privately held collections in Canada. For more details, please visit www.vanartgallery.bc.ca As you know, the Vancouver Art Gallery supports the arts in British Columbia and beyond, whether through featured performances at our FUSE events or through the “Out for Lunch” music series, performed on select Fridays. 
Salute to Vienna Special Offer2 for 1 Admission to your Art Gallery of Alberta! Salute to Vienna patrons are invited to experience their AGA. Bring a friend and present your ticket stub to receive two admissions for the price of one! The AGA is a centre of excellence for visual arts in Western Canada, connecting people, art and ideas. Enjoy original exhibitions of contemporary and historical art from Alberta, Canada and around the world. Complete your AGA experience by visiting Shop AGA or dining at Zinc, located on the main floor. For more info visit youraga.ca 2 for 1 admission offer valid from January 1 – 31, 2012. Cannot be combined with any other offer. |
Congratulations to Gene Osidacz from Kirkland, Quebec! He is our latest winner in our 'Win an Original Sacher-Torte' contest! |
Congratulations to Rose Marie Mueller from Hamilton, Ontario! She is the latest winner in our 'Win an Original Sacher-Torte' contest! |
We're all over the place! |
Learn more about Salute to Vienna all over North America by also checking out what our friends at various Austrian Cultural Forums and Embassies are sharing:
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And our October congratulations go to... |
... Astrid and Carl Erickson from Potomac, Maryland! Your Original Sacher-Torte is on its way! Enjoy! |
STV Toronto: Delta Chelsea Brunch Menu - Have a look!!! Mmmmmmm |
Something special from our friends at Delta Hotels!October 2011 |
Join us at Bb33 Brasserie for the 2012 Salute to Vienna New Year’s Day Brunch Buffet. Enjoy a lavish meal of traditional favourites, signature specialties and Austrian delicacies, prior to attending Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert at the Roy Thompson Hall. Make it an annual tradition while celebrating the music, art and tradition of this world-class event. $40 per person Complimentary parking available Reservations required416-585-4345 Bb33.ca |
Entries for our October Original Sacher-Torte draw have come to a close. Winner will be announced soon.... |
More summer torte winners...! |
Congratulations to Jantique Fielding (August) from Brighton,MA and Gail Hanslo (September) from Mission, BC! |
Our July Winner! July 2011 |
Congratulations to Margaret from Mississauga, Ontario! She is our July winner for the Orginal Sacher-Torte giveaway! Don't forget the schlag! Enjoy! Now remember, EVERY month there is a chance to win an Orginal Sacher-Torte so keep signing up for a chance to win! |
On May 30th, Austrian Ambassador Werner Brandstetter and his wife Leonie-Maria presented a buffer-reception to honour Attila and Marion Glatz and their work on "Salute to Vienna" Embassy Newspaper - June 1, 2011 A close up of Marion and Attila...
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Our First Winner! June 2011 |
Congratulations to Kay Farley from Chicago, IL. She is the very first winner in our Original Sacher-Torte give away! Enjoy your cake and don't forget to eat it too! Remember, you could be the next winner in July so sign up today and stay tuned for our next draw. |
Our first give away to receive an Original Sacher-Torte delivered to your front door has officially closed for this month. We will be announcing a winner very soon so stay tuned to find out. To all of those who entered, we thank you! Best of luck to everyone! Until next month... |
You can have your cake and your 'schlag' too... May 2011 |
Austrians are known for topping their desserts and coffees with whipped cream or as they like to say “mit schlag”. Their favourite cakes, fruits and beverages would just not be the same without this delectable topping. A not-too-sweet final touch! Of course, the same goes for the Original Sacher-Torte! The famous cake is enjoyed even more mit schlag as it is a very dry chocolate cake. So while savouring the rich chocolate, apricot jam and mouth watering glaze, add a little whipped cream or “schlag” on the side and you will truly be in culinary heaven! |
The Polls Are In... March 25 2011 |
Salute to Vienna made it to No.18 on Pollstar’s “Concert Pulse” list this week for top box office rankings! We beat out some pretty big names like Kenny Rogers, B.B King and Wiz Khalifa. Congratulations to Attila Glatz Concert Productions! Pollstar is the only trade publication known for covering the worldwide concert industry. For more than 25 years now, the magazine has been supplying in-depth information to every professional concert promoter, booking agent, artist manager, facility executive and all others involved in the live entertainment industry. For more info visit: www.pollstar.com |
And the Survey Contest Winners Are... March 2011 |
For almost a decade, Salute to Vienna has been giving concert attendees the chance to win fabulous tours to Europe with both Trafalgar Tours Canada and Smolka Tours USA. Another year, another set of winners... Our lucky 2011 winners are Andre from Quebec City, Quebec (Canada) and Maria Schmidt from Alhambra, California (US). Congratulations to you both and we hope you enjoy your unforgettable trips to Europe! Of course, thank you again to Trafalgar Tours and Smolka Tours! |
| Ballet St. Pölten and Beyond February 2011 | We caught up with one of our Salute to Vienna dance ensembles – The Ballet St. St. Pölten – to see what they have been up to post-concert. It has been quite the busy time for this talented group and their latest destination (somewhere where we’ve been), RUSSIA! Here are some photos of the dancers in Moscow where they were invited to perform for the Katachduran Foundation. Keep up the amazing work! |
| Salute to Vienna in Miami like Never Before! February2011 | One of the most rewarding things about working on Salute to Vienna is some of the wonderful feedback we receive from our patrons. This year, Miami left quite the impression on our audience. Not too long ago, we received a lovely letter from Henry Eisenberg who attended the 2011 performance at the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. Dear Mr. Glatz, My wife and I attended the "Salute to Vienna" concerts for many years. We also don't miss listening to the concerts from Vienna each New Year's day. I am dropping you this note to tell you that we attended this year's concert in Miami and it was the best. That goes for the orchestra, the singers, as well as all the dancers. I thought the program was much superior to the concert from Vienna. Keep up with the good work! Wishing you much success, I remain, Cordially yours, Henry Eisenberg For more patron feedback visit our website www.salutetovienna.com and click on press room. From all of us at Salute to Vienna, thank you so much for your kind words. This why we love keeping this European tradition alive in North America! Prosit Neujahr! |
The Glatzes have made their Mark Winter 2011 |
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