Austria

JJ, the Pop-Opera Angel Who Won Eurovision for Austria

With his falsetto voice and angelic smile, JJ has given Austria its first Eurovision victory since bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst won eleven years ago. With Wasted Love—a track that soars with soprano highs between soft ballad refrains and climaxes in a techno finale—Austria took a risky but ultimately rewarding gamble. The song earned 436 ...

Strauss II: 200 Years Later, His Music Still Waltzes the World

Even two centuries after the birth of Johann Strauss II, Austria's renowned "waltz king," his music continues to captivate audiences around the world. Strauss, widely celebrated during his lifetime as a cultural icon akin to a modern pop star, is best remembered for his iconic waltz The Blue Danube, which has become synonymous with Austria and is ...