At the end of January this year eleven RPO benefactors joined the Orchestra on the first leg of its tour to Austria and Germany and attended concerts in Vienna, Hamburg, and Hannover. Our intrepid travellers were escorted by David and Henry of the RPO Development Team, and they were joined along the way by Sarah Bardwell (Managing Director) and Huw Davies (Deputy Managing Director), as well as the Orchestra’s Music Director Vasily Petrenko, who was conducting all the concerts, and Tom Philpott, the RPO’s Director of Artistic Planning and Partnerships.
The trip started in Vienna on the 28th January with a brief Welcome Reception, followed by a private tour of the Vienna State Opera House and a performance of Puccini’s opera La bohème and a post-opera supper at the Sacher Rote Bar. The following day everyone enjoyed the morning exploring Vienna before meeting up for a private tour of the Musikverein. We explored the famous venue’s four state-of-the-art underground performance spaces before entering the main concert hall, which is as impressive in real life as it is on the television on New Year’s Day. After the insightful tour, we ventured back to the hotel for a late lunch before heading to the Vienna Konzerthaus for the first concert of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s Austria and Germany tour which was sensational. Our guests and the capacity audience in the hall were treated to a programme comprising music of Mussorgsky's Night on the Bare Mountain, Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra, and Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with superstar soloist Julia Fischer.
Our Patrons enjoying a private tour at Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie
We were all up nice and early on the 30th as that day we were heading to Hamburg. After breakfast we made our way to Vienna Airport and boarded our plane for Hamburg. Unfortunately, within half an hour we were all off the plane as the pilot had reported an unusual smell in the cockpit. Thanks to the incredible efficiency of Austrian Airlines, however, we were all seated on a different plane within an hour, touching down in Hamburg two hours later. We weren't too worried about missing the concert, as both Vasily Petrenko and Julia Fischer were on the same flight! After rushing to check into the hotel, we embarked on a private tour of the Elbphilharmonie (the venue for that evening’s concert) and were privileged to sit in on some of the Orchestra's rehearsal. As our hotel was in the same building as the concert hall, it was rather easy for everyone to get unpacked and changed, before heading into the concert hall for the Orchestra’s performance. The programme was slightly different, opening on this occasion with Dvořák's Carnival Overture, followed by Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto and Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra. After the concert, we headed to Carl's Brasserie for dinner, and we were joined by Vasily Petrenko, Sarah Bardwell, Andrew Storey (RPO Chairman and Principal Second Violin), and five other RPO musicians who all very much enjoyed getting to know our supporters.
Touring Vienna's stunning Musikverein
We were up and ready for checkout at 11am the next day, and were driven to Hamburg station to catch our train to Hannover. After a two-hour journey through the German countryside, we arrived in Hannover and were taken to our hotel, before congregating again at 6pm for the short journey to the Hannover Kuppelsaal for the final RPO concert of the trip, for the RPO Patrons at least. After a pre-concert reception, we enjoyed a programme comprising Mussorgsky's Night on the Bare Mountain, Sibelius' Violin Concerto and Brahms' Symphony No.1. After the concert, the trip's closing drinks reception took place in the Kuppelsaal, where we were joined by Julia Fischer, Vasily Petrenko, and Tom Philpott. It was a fitting end to a highly successful and most enjoyable inaugural RPO International Patrons' Trip. The following morning our guests headed to the airport for flights to the UK, USA, and Hong Kong, and some stayed on in Germany to explore the country at a more leisurely pace.
The Orchestra rehearsing in Hamburg's Kuppelsaal
The feedback following the trip has been extremely positive and we are now exploring options for a second International Patrons’ Trip to take place in 2026; we hope that many of you will be able to join us then, and gain unparalleled insight into how the RPO functions on tour.
“This trip is one of the best experiences that I’ve ever had. Fantastic concerts aside, I enjoyed the private tours in the Vienna State Opera, Musikverein and Elbphilharmonie. The RPO team made great restaurant choices, all with the perfect ambience. It was wonderful to meet orchestra musicians on several occasions and understand more about their work. It was also interesting to hear the same pieces performed in completely different concert halls. The trip was brilliantly curated for participants to immerse in the world of classical music. I really appreciate the thoughtfulness in the planning and execution of the trip.”
“The inaugural Patrons' trip was wonderful - a huge success. A really wonderful group of Patrons and the RPO team could not have done a better job. The trip was well planned and the events were really fantastic! It was very interesting to see how the musicians travel from city to city - they must be exhausted! Special kudos to David, Henry, Huw and the rest of the RPO team for a flawless trip. They even managed perfect weather. I look forward to the next one.”
“We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. We were particularly happy with the size of the group and the relationships that we developed along the way. I have told some people that the trip was so good because it was less like a typical tour and more like just going to a few concerts with good friends.”
“Overall, it was a really good experience and we enjoyed the programme and small group experience immensely. We appreciate the work which went into organising this trip and it was well thought through.”
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