The Wiener Advent at St. Stephen’s Cathedral has long since established itself as a fixture of the pre-Christmas season. For the first time, the Wiener Symphoniker, under the direction of its chief conductor Petr Popelka, invited audiences to the traditional Advent concert - held under the wonderful motto “Bohemian Christmas.” It can be experienced on ORF III on the fourth Sunday of Advent.

Masterpieces of Baroque sacred music, such as Jan Dismas Zelenka’s Te Deum, shaped the evening just as much as lyrical arias from operas by Bedřich Smetana and Antonín Dvořák. A special highlight was also provided by the film music from the Christmas classic Three Wishes for Cinderella by Karel Svoboda, which thrilled the audience in the atmospheric setting of St. Stephen’s Cathedral.

As in previous years, the Wiener Symphoniker shaped the evening together with the Wiener Singverein. Another sonic highlight was once again the Rieger organ of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, played by organist Robert Kovács. With selected arias sung in the original Czech, Kateřina Kněžíková, Štěpánka Pucálková, Petr Nekoranec, and Adam Plachetka created truly goosebump-inducing moments. Traditionally, the choir, soloists, and audience concluded the concert together with “O du fröhliche.”

ORF III will broadcast the Advent concert on December 21 at 8:15 p.m. in prime time. And since Christmas without the Wiener Advent would not be the same, the next date is already set: The Wiener Advent at St. Stephen’s Cathedral will take place on December 16, 2026.