The Vienna Franciscan Church is a historical jewel in the center of Vienna and is particularly known for its excellent acoustics. Built in the 17th century and now a listed building, the Catholic Church is particularly known for the oldest playable organ in Vienna, the famous Wöckherl organ from 1642. 

Every year another musical highlight takes place in Vienna's Franciscan Church: the respected organ festival "Quintessenz", which guarantees you a unique sound experience - and of course you can book your tickets for the Quintessenz Orgelfestival 2025 at Viennaticketing.com

Programme

FESTIVAL QUINTESSENZ 2025

On the Wöckherl-Organ (1642)

and on the  Rieger-Organ (1980)

1.

Friday, August 29, 19:30
"Esprit d-espoir" 
(Music between Heaven and Earth)

With Gregorian chants and works by G. Muffat, G. Frescobaldi, F. Peeters, and improvisations
Greg8 (Choral Schola), Josipa Pavla Jakić (Croatia) on Wöckherl & Rieger organ

2.

Friday, September 19, 19:30
"Counterflows"
(Wind Play of the Centuries)

With works by T. Susato, M. Praetorius, I. Posch, Moondog, P. Glass, N. Muhly, and A. Guilmant
Maximilian Bruckner (Trombone), Roman Hauser on Wöckherl & Rieger organ

3.

Friday, October 10, 19:30
ORGANic WOODWINDs
“New Sounds from Old Pipes”

With works by G. Muffat, A. Piazzolla, J. S. Bach, J. Garbarek, G. Gratzer, J. Ebenbauer, and improvisations
Georg Gratzer (flutes, saxophones, bass clarinet), Johannes Ebenbauer on Wöckherl & Rieger organ

 4.

Friday, October 24, 19:30
Marimba & Organ
"“Premiere – Organ Meets Percussion”

With works by D. Benetti, J. P. Sweelinck, P. Creston, J. Paix, E. Glennie, E. Séjourné
Hannes Schöggl (Marimba), Manfred Tausch on Wöckherl & Rieger organ

5.

Friday, November 15th, 19:30
COUNTERPOINTS
“Contrasts and Syntheses”

Works by G. Fantini, W. Byrd, I. Donati, J. Dowland, J. S. Bach, E. Morricone, H. Arlen and English folk songs
Siegfried Koch (Trumpets, Cornett), Susanne Ebenbauer (Soprano), Johannes Ebenbauer on Wöckherl & Rieger organ

Current new music that is created around the time of the concert date and is improvised using a few notes.

Categories and Prices

 Tickets are available in one category, however there are reductions for seniors and pupils/students: 

• - Regular Ticket                      EUR  19,-
• - Reduced for seniors             EUR  15,-
• - schoolchildren aged 15 and over/students/
  people doing community service and military service/
  people with disabilities:         EUR  8,-  
• - Children up to 14 years of age have free access.

All prices are total prices, including all taxes and statutory fees. We do not bill any sort of additional charges.

Venue

In the heart of Vienna, hidden in the »Betchor« of the Franciscan Church, you will find a special acoustic gem: the oldest organ in Vienna – the so-called »Wöckherl Organ« from 1642 , named after its builder Hans Weckherl (alias Wöckherl).

The »Betchor«, a special, hidden room, is not usually accessible to the public. In warmer months, however, once a week you will have the opportunity to experience this extraordinary monument to sound that was restored in 2011: every Friday from April to October the Wöckherl Organ will be demonstrated as part of a special guided tour given by world-class organists.

Just as interesting as the early baroque organ is the »Betchor« room itself: its grisaille paintings, newly discovered and exposed during the course of the organ restoration, are also of the highest artistic and historical importance.

Franciscan Church
Entrance through the church portal:
Franziskanerplatz 4,
1010 Vienna

Duration

The concert lasts about 75 minutes (without an intermission).

Tickets

Once your booking has been confirmed, you will receive an e-mail containing your booking voucher. Please print it out or download it on your smartphone/tablet to show it at the evening box on the day of the concert

In case you do not receive an e-mail in the minutes following the booking, please check your Spam folder! 

How to get there?

Take the underground line U3 or U1 to the Stephansplatz station. The church is about 450m. away. Walk down Schulerstraße for 130m then turn right onto Grünangergasse. In a few minutes you will reach the Franciscan Church.

Cancellations

For this event, it is possible to cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before the event begins.