“Austria for Life – A benefit concert in favor of ‘Austria helps Austria’” on May 28th on ORF 2
Andreas from Vienna informed ESC Covers about this charity event in front of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna.
Anyone who knows the past can understand the present and shape the future – in “Austria for Life – A benefit concert in favor of ‘Austria helps Austria’” on Friday, May 28, 2021, at 10:35 p.m. in ORF 2 cultural workers of all genres tells the history of Austria and its resilience in all its facets. The goals of the evening are to remember past times of crisis, a call for solidarity and the collection of donations for the aid platform “Austria helps Austria “(On the A1 donation phone 0800 664 2021). Arabella Kiesbauer and Johannes Krisch will guide you through the program.
Project initiator Gery Keszler has inspired more than 50 artists for the good cause, and Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen and Cardinal Christoph Schönborn will also speak to “Austria for Life”. All classical and modern art forms from music to drama are presented by well-known personalities from the Austrian cultural industry as well as new talents from young Austria: Maria Happel brings Empress Maria Theresa, the enlightened mother of the vaccination, to life. Cornelius Obonya becomes a statue of Prince Eugene. Petra Morzé speaks as Anna Sacher about her empty house – without guests – during the Spanish flu. Conchita Wurst as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with Sunnyi Melles as Bertha von Suttner humorously resolves a difference of opinion.
A wide variety of musical symbols come from chart topper Lemo to opera stars like Daniela Fally and Günther Groissböck as “The Girl and Death”. Cesár Sampson (who represented Austria at Eurovision in 2018 in Lisbon) and Sandra Pires try their hand at opera. Georgij Makazaria and Katharina Straßer become baroque street musicians. Timna Brauer sings about Jewish life in Vienna and the Vienna Boys’ Choir sing in unison with the Pummerin. Nicole Beutler as “Die Zeit” leads a black-clad chain of people, all of them well-known audience favorites, from different centuries and stands across the stage.
For Eurovision fans, the highlight could be Conchita Wurst doing a German version of her Eurovision winner Rise like a phoenix.
“Austria for Life” is an Austria-wide initiative of the LIFE + association and supports people who are in need due to the COVID-19 crisis. The donations will benefit the aid platform “Austria helps Austria”. All information about “Österreich helps Austria” and the donation options are available online at help.ORF.at.
The prominent contributors:
Singer Marianne Mendt, health expert Sigfried Meryn, actress Petra Morzé, singer Tom Neuwirth, actress Adele Neuhauser, actor Reinhard Nowak, actor Cornelius Obonya, ballet dancer Eno Peci, singer Sandra Pires, singer Willi Resetarits, TV presenter Vera Russwurm, musician Cesár Sampson, TV presenter Sasa Schwarzjirg, radio presenter Claudia Stöckl, actress Katharina Straßer, publisher Desiree Treichl-Stürgkh, professional boxer Nicole Wesner as well as the cathedral orchestra and the Vienna Boys’ Choir. The director is Werner Sobotka. The authors of the textbook are Gery Keszler, Janina Lebiszczak and Alexander Wiegold. Thomas Rabitsch is responsible for the musical direction. (Subject to change). Actress Adele Neuhauser, actor Reinhard Nowak, actor Cornelius Obonya, ballet dancer Eno Peci, singer Sandra Pires, singer Willi Resetarits, TV presenter Vera Russwurm, musician Cesár Sampson, TV presenter Sasa Schwarzjirg, radio presenter Claudia Stöckl, actress Katharina Straßer, publisher Desiree Treichl-Stürgkh, professional boxer Nicole Wesner as well as the cathedral orchestra and the Vienna Boys’ Choir. The director is Werner Sobotka. The authors of the textbook are Gery Keszler, Janina Lebiszczak and Alexander Wiegold. Thomas Rabitsch is responsible for the musical direction. (Subject to change). Actress Adele Neuhauser, actor Reinhard Nowak, actor Cornelius Obonya, ballet dancer Eno Peci, singer Sandra Pires, singer Willi Resetarits, TV presenter Vera Russwurm, musician Cesár Sampson, TV presenter Sasa Schwarzjirg, radio presenter Claudia Stöckl, actress Katharina Straßer, publisher Desiree Treichl-Stürgkh, professional boxer Nicole Wesner as well as the cathedral orchestra and the Vienna Boys’ Choir. The director is Werner Sobotka. The authors of the textbook are Gery Keszler, Janina Lebiszczak and Alexander Wiegold. Thomas Rabitsch is responsible for the musical direction. (Subject to change). TV presenter Sasa Schwarzjirg, radio presenter Claudia Stöckl, actress Katharina Straßer, publisher Desiree Treichl-Stürgkh, professional boxer Nicole Wesner as well as the cathedral orchestra and the Vienna Boys’ Choir. The director is Werner Sobotka. The authors of the textbook are Gery Keszler, Janina Lebiszczak and Alexander Wiegold. Thomas Rabitsch is responsible for the musical direction. (Subject to change). TV presenter Sasa Schwarzjirg, radio presenter Claudia Stöckl, actress Katharina Straßer, publisher Desiree Treichl-Stürgkh, professional boxer Nicole Wesner as well as the cathedral orchestra and the Vienna Boys’ Choir. The director is Werner Sobotka. The authors of the textbook are Gery Keszler, Janina Lebiszczak and Alexander Wiegold. Thomas Rabitsch is responsible for the musical direction. (Subject to change).