Vienna Festival 2006.

12 May-18 June 2006. The Weiner Festwochen the annual Vienna Arts Festival presents 33 productions from 15 countries: Austria, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Great Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. Highlights include Cathay - Three Tales of China with the Shaanxi Folk Art Theatre and the Carter Family Puppet Theatre and Cos Fan Tutte directed by Patrice Chreau with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra. The opening concert in the Rathausplatz on 12 May will feature music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart played by seven finalists of the Eurovision Young Musicians competition. The concert is free and starts at 21.30. Other events include the 5000 Liebesbriefe (5000 Love Letters) audio-performance in five traditional Viennese coffee houses, Caf Korb, Prckel, Stein, Weingartner and Westend, and the Into the city free contemporary and ethnic music events in Viennas bars, sports clubs and pubs. Admission 152-5. 30 per cent concessions for under-27s and the unemployed. For venues and times see website in German and English.