RIYADH: A scintillating concert featuring one of the oldest boys’ choirs, who sang classical masterpieces and holiday favorites, left a large group of elite audience spellbound here Monday night. The audience’s eyes were especially glued to the makeshift stage at the Austrian house as the ‘Vienna Boys Choir’ played the two Arabic songs of the night.

Austrian Ambassador Gregor W. Koessler, co-host of the event, spoke briefly and recalled the six-century-old tradition of music being followed by the famed Vienna Boys Choir, who even today “continues to delight music-lovers across the globe with their purity of tone.”

The event was co-hosted by Norbert Kettner, managing director of the Vienna Tourist Board, and the ambassador’s wife Sigrid Koessler.

Referring to the historical genesis of the Vienna Boys’ Choir, Gerald Wirth, choir’s artistic director, introduced the boys before their live performance.

Wirth, who also accompanied the boys at the piano, said that the Vienna Boys Choir is a group of 100 choristers aged between 10 and 14 who are divided into four touring choirs. This musical tradition, he said, was founded by imperial order of Austrian Emperor Maximilian I in 1498.

As far as the musical show is concerned, a group of six members of the Vienna Boys Choir were flown to the Saudi capital to perform at the show titled ‘Winter Moments in Vienna.” The live performance gave the audience a chuckle, when the boys proceeded further by singing popular songs after dinner. “They’re wonderful,” said attendee Sabine Ohler of Vienna Business Agency.

“The boys followed the piano so well and they didn’t mess up once,” said another Saudi guest. Moreover, the ambassador’s residence — the venue of the concert — was decorated in authentic Austrian setting.

Speaking on the occasion about the Austrian music liked by Saudi and Arab tourists, Kettner said that “the tourism traffic between the Kingdom and Austria has gone up by 20 percent this year (Jan-Oct 2015) compared to the corresponding period last year.”

About 90,000 overnight stays by Saudi travelers were reported with an upward trend being noticed during the current month, he added.

In fact, Austria’s vibrant nature scene has earned a worldwide reputation for quality and innovation, and is paired wonderfully with Austrian cuisine in pastoral setting. On the other hand, Vienna is gearing up to celebrate imperial anniversaries and commemoration days in 2016. On that occasion, an exhibition will be held in Schonbrunn Palace to mark the death anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph.