Here's your chance to enjoy a magical and joyous welcome for next week's arrival of the new year by winning tickets to Sunday afternoon's "Salute to Vienna" orchestra concert, patterned after Vienna's world famous "Neujahrskonzert."
I have just five pairs of very good seats to give away.
The musical magic returns to Chicago at historic Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, for the 14th season.
For anyone who thinks they might now enjoy this musical journey feast for the eyes and ears, I attended for the first time last year and was amazed and entertained.
This simultaneously produced series has inspired diehard romantics all over North America with performances this year in 19 cities.
This always festive sold-out event is performed live by a brilliant cast of 75 musicians. This year, audiences can celebrate the New Year a little early, with famous waltzes, polkas and operetta excerpts by Johan Strauss Jr., "the Waltz King," and his contemporaries.
This year's event will feature special Viennese conductor, Klaus Arp, who will lead the Strauss Symphony of America. I'm told beautiful soprano Ute Ziemer and tenor Pawel Skaluba, both of Vienna, are going to be joined by dancers from the Vienna Imperial Ballet.
And for those readers who don't win, tickets to see the "Salute to Vienna New Year's Concert 2013" start at $39 and are available online at cso.org or at the hall's Box Office at 220 S. Michigan Ave. or call (312) 294-3000 or visit salutetovienna.com.
The "Salute to Vienna" concert series has become a favorite holiday musical tradition throughout North America. It's reminiscent of Vienna's famous and beloved "Neujahrskonzert," performed by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra for more than 70 years and televised annually to 1.3 billion people around the globe.
Over the past decade, it has grown into the largest concert series of its kind in North America under the leadership of Attila and Marion Glatz, co-presidents of AGCP, the founders and producers of this unique tradition.
Now, here's the trivia question you need to answer correctly to have your name entered in today's drawing:
• What is the name of the light and delicate pastry, often including an apple filling, so famed in Vienna? (The oldest known recipe for this sweet treat dates from 1696, and that original handwritten version is even on display at the Viennese City Library!)
You have until midnight tonight to call with the correct answer to this question.
All the readers who call in with the correct answer will be entered in a random drawing. PLEASE INCLUDE your name, town you reside in and a best contact telephone number. Call the CONTEST LINE at (219) 933-4173 with your answers. When you're calling in your answer, please remember to speak slowly and clearly.
Winners will be contacted Friday. The contest is not open to Times employees and their immediate families.
Good luck!
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