His own museum – what a birthday present! Even Johann Strauss (1825-1899), who was showered with honors, would have been impressed. The new Johann Strauss Museum will open in 2025 to mark the 200th anniversary of his birth. It is called “New Dimensions”, and the name says it all. 

All the info about Johann Strauss 2025

New innovative technology is being used here for the first time in Austria: visitors wear GPS-tracked headphones as they wander through the exhibition and discover the biography of Johann Strauss. The appropriate information is played at each location, accompanied of course by Strauss’ fantastic music. The journey through the seven exciting acts of Strauss’ life lasts around 75 minutes. The exhibition covers an area of 900 square meters, divided over two floors. 

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Audiovisual experience

There are no historical exhibits to be seen in this Johann Strauss Museum because it adopts a different approach: the tour through the exhibition leads visitors through darkened rooms, while screens with videos and visuals are mounted on the walls of the various sections (“acts”), along with prints, posters, graphics, maps and individual modern objects. These are showcased effectively using mirrors. The soundtrack draws visitors into the story – the whole creates a fascinating audiovisual experience.

A highlight at the end of the exhibition, which is well worth taking the time for, is the final large and immersive room, where the pivotal stages in the life of Johann Strauss are presented with impressive state-of-the-art visuals.

Family, career and global fame

Strauss’ biography is told chronologically, beginning in 1825 with Johann Strauss’ father, who was an acclaimed virtuoso violinist. Unfortunately, he turned out to be a fierce rival to his son of the same name, Johann Strauss II. It was only after his father’s death that the new Waltz King’s incredible international career took off. Russia, France, England and the USA – it was his tours abroad that earned him global fame. He composed dance music non-stop, before later turning to operetta. 

Several women played decisive roles in Johann’s life: from his mother Anna to his unrequited love, Olga, and his three wives, Jetty, Lily and Adele. His brothers Josef and Eduard were just as important in the family business. The exhibition also reveals a lot about Strauss’ everyday life, his death and estate, as well as the appropriation of his music and person by the National Socialists. 

A tip for creative types: create your own waltz on the composing machine and take it home as an audio file.

High tech in Art Déco

The building that now houses the Johann Strauss Museum is worth closer inspection: it is an elegant Art Deco building, designed in 1923 by the architects Hermann Aichinger and Heinrich Schmid. Both were students of the famous Art Nouveau master, Otto Wagner. As it happens, another architectural jewel of Viennese Modernism beckons from across the street: the Secession with its striking golden dome. Gustav Klimt’s Beethoven frieze and contemporary art can be admired inside.