First — the nitty gritty details – Trip 1:
The What: Great Music Masters of Vienna: The Romantics
The When: May 4-10, 2025
The Where: Vienna, Austria
The How: The trip is offered by The Great Courses Journeys, the travel brand for The Great Courses Plus!
The How to Register: Click Here
Pricing: Double Occupancy: $6,795 pp; Single Occupancy: $8,120 pp; Deposit: $1000
The Details for Trip 2:
The What: Great Music Masters: Verdi and Italian Opera
The When: October 8-14, 2025
The Where: Parma, Mantua, and Milan, Italy
The How: The trip is offered by The Great Courses Journeys, the travel brand for The Great Courses Plus!
The How to Register: Click Here
Pricing: Double Occupancy: $7,995 pp; Single Occupancy: $9,790 pp; Deposit: $1000
Great Music Masters of Vienna: The Romantics
During the sunset of the Austro-Hungarian empire, Vienna served as the home to promising and innovative musicians and artists that would later become known as The Romantics. From Strauss’ The Blue Danube to Brahms’ Liebeslieder-Walzer, the spirit of the music created during these
years permeates the lively streets of Vienna still. During the 200th anniversary of the birth of Johann Strauss II, explore the legacy of the city’s music masters with acclaimed composer, pianist, musicologist, and beloved Great Courses professor Robert Greenberg. Follow the footsteps of Strauss (both father and son), Brahms, and Mahler to the homes where they composed, the palaces and venues where they performed, and the cafés and shops they frequented. Through private tours, concerts, and an excursion to Baden bei Wien, delve deep into the circumstances and personalities that shaped their incomparable bodies of work.
Highlights
- Gain insights into the life and works of four great composers on guided visits to their homes and haunts with yours truly.
- Take an after-hours tour of Schönbrunn Palace and enjoy a classical concert under the vaulted ceiling of the Orangerie featuring the works of Mozart and Strauss.
- View rare treasures on a guided tour of the Collection of Historic Instruments and discover the crossover of art nouveau and music in the Secession Museum.
- Set off on an excursion to the spa town of Baden bei Wien and discover the reasons key creatives from Vienna sought sanctuary there.
- Celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Johann Strauss with a visit to the new House of Strauss museum and specialized exhibit in the Theatermusem.
What’s included?
- All accommodations for the duration of the tour
- Meals as noted in the itinerary
- All sightseeing and visits as noted in each itinerary
- Staffing: Expertise of The Great Courses expert, travel director, and local guides throughout the tour
- All gratuities for on-tour guides, drivers, hotel, and restaurant staff as part of the group program
- All on-tour transportation, unless otherwise noted
- Quietvox listening devices to facilitate audibility on tour
- The assistance of an Academic Travel Abroad professional travel team to assist with pre-trip questions, travel arrangements, including flights, extra hotel nights and other services
- Comprehensive pre-departure mailings and materials with information about the destination and what to expect on tour, including a suggested reading list
- Emergency evacuation insurance
Great Music Masters: Verdi and Italian Opera
Get ready to enter the enchanting world of Italian opera with renowned musicologist, composer, and The Great Courses professor Robert Greenberg. From the historic city of Parma to the vibrant metropolis of Milan, every corner would seem to be alive with a passion for opera. As you traverse Northern Italy, you’ll get to experience first-hand the rich culture and artistic heritage that has shaped some of the most iconic operas ever written, with Professor Greenberg providing insight and guidance into this Italian-born genre along the way. Featuring exclusive access to the homes and haunts of Giuseppe Verdi, an opera lesson with the Verdi Institute, and captivating performances, this experience promises to be a harmonious blend of music, culture, and discovery. Don’t miss out on this operatic adventure!
Highlights
- Travel with with yours truly and gain a deeper understanding of the evolution of opera in northern Italy.
- Enjoy a private opera lesson with the President of the National Institute of Verdi Studies.
- Take in live opera performances at Italy’s premiere opera houses, Teatro Regio di Parma and Teatro La Scala in Milan (performances subject to confirmation).
- Explore the towns and cities that inspired opera’s most famous composers with guided walking tours and, of course, delicious Italian food!
What’s included?
- All accommodations for the duration of the tour
- Meals as noted in the itinerary
- All sightseeing and visits as noted in each itinerary
- Staffing: Expertise of The Great Courses expert, travel director, and local guides throughout the tour
- All gratuities for on-tour guides, drivers, hotel, and restaurant staff as part of the group program
- All on-tour transportation, unless otherwise noted
- Quietvox listening devices to facilitate audibility on tour
- The assistance of an Academic Travel Abroad professional travel team to assist with pre-trip questions, travel arrangements, including flights, extra hotel nights and other services
- Comprehensive pre-departure mailings and materials with information about the destination and what to expect on tour, including a suggested reading list
- Emergency evacuation insurance