<<  -- 6 --  David Wilkins    A VERITABLE WONDER

Dietfried Bernet conducts the constantly varied orchestral palette with sureness but occasionally allows it to be unforgiving of the lighter singers. The house orchestra could not be expected to have the unmistakable glow of their Vienna Philharmonic counterparts in the city centre but they are a fine ensemble only lacking in the ultimate sheen of string tone.

It is a veritable wonder to have seen these two operas, neither a masterpiece but both deserving of more attention, on successive nights in a house that felt it owed them serious and dedicated exposure. Famed for Lehar, Kalman and the three-four-time Strauss, the Vienna Volksoper can be proud of this excursion along the backtracks. Guess what -- they're off up the mountains soon for what, unbelievably, will be the Viennese première of The Sound of Music. Where did I put my wimple?

Vienna, of course, remains a joy to visit at any time. There is currently a major Rubens exhibition at the Albertinum. You can, if you have the head for such things, ride the Prater Park's Big Wheel any day of the year and try to remember that quip about cuckoo clocks. The pretty horses do pretty things in the Hofburg. You can visit the consulting rooms where dear Doctor Freud listened to all those mucky stories that so inspire opera directors. Above all, the city is a yellow brick road of musical associations. Walk through the doors of St Stephen's Cathedral and just start to count the names of the greats who have done so before you. Take an abacus!