The Schloss Schönbrunn Orchester is a classical music ensemble based in Vienna, Austria. The orchestra was founded in 1994 by conductor Guido Mancusi, who sought to create a group that would perform the music of the Viennese classical period in the historic setting of the Schönbrunn Palace. The ensemble's name, Schloss Schönbrunn Orchester, translates to "Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra" in English. The orchestra's home venue is the Orangerie Schönbrunn, a historic building located within the palace grounds. The Orangerie was originally built in the 18th century as a greenhouse for the palace's gardens, but it has since been converted into a concert hall. The Schloss Schönbrunn Orchester is made up of approximately 30 musicians, including string players, woodwind players, brass players, and percussionists. The ensemble's repertoire focuses primarily on the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Strauss II, two of the most famous composers of the Viennese classical period. The orchestra's performances are characterized by their historical authenticity. The musicians dress in period costumes, and the concerts are often accompanied by dancers in traditional Viennese attire. The ensemble also uses period instruments, such as the fortepiano, to recreate the sound of the music as it would have been heard during the time of Mozart and Strauss. One of the highlights of the Schloss Schönbrunn Orchester's career was their performance at the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. The orchestra played a selection of music by Mozart and Strauss, accompanied by a group of dancers in traditional Austrian dress. The performance was broadcast to millions of viewers around the world and helped to raise the orchestra's profile on the international stage. In addition to their performance at the Winter Olympics, the Schloss Schönbrunn Orchester has also played at a number of other prestigious venues and events. These include the Musikverein and Konzerthaus in Vienna, the Salzburg Festival, and the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival in Germany. The orchestra has also received a number of awards and accolades over the years. In 2008, they were awarded the Golden Hallmark of Quality by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Economy and Labour. This award recognizes companies and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional quality in their products or services. The Schloss Schönbrunn Orchester has also released several recordings over the years. These include albums of Mozart and Strauss music, as well as a Christmas album featuring traditional Austrian carols. The orchestra's recordings have been well-received by critics and audiences alike, and have helped to further cement their reputation as one of the premier classical music ensembles in Austria. In conclusion, the Schloss Schönbrunn Orchester is a classical music ensemble based in Vienna, Austria. The orchestra was founded in 1994 by conductor Guido Mancusi, and focuses primarily on the music of Mozart and Strauss. The ensemble's performances are characterized by their historical authenticity, and they have played at a number of prestigious venues and events around the world. The orchestra has also received several awards and accolades, and has released several recordings that have been well-received by critics and audiences alike.

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