Vienna has culture, history, cuisine and above all, class

As the city prepares to host the 60th Eurovision Song Contest, Arlene Harris samples the delights of Vienna.

IT MAY be renowned for its musical history — with everyone from Mozart, Beethoven and even Vivaldi producing some of their greatest works in the city — but Vienna’s most famous composers must be turning in their graves at the very notion of a ‘bearded lady’ representing their fine country in the 60th Eurovision song contest next month (May).

However the very fact that Conchita Wurst (Thomas “Tom” Neuwirth) is responsible for bringing the competition to Vienna signifies how modern the city has become — while at the same time retaining all the culture, history, beauty and culinary delights it has always been famous for.