Counterpoint and Harmony, Music in Vienna

Swiss artist Gilles Gubelmann studied piano and dance at the Geneva Conservatory. He then worked for many years as an expert for arts and antiques in an important Swiss Auction House (Koller Auctions) where he was director of the Department of Antique Furniture and Decorative Arts. He realised a dream and moved to Venice where he started working as a painter and as an opera set and costume designer all over Europe, and also deepening his knowledge of art history and architecture. Settled now in Vienna, Gilles continues his artistic activities, works as a lecturer at the University of Music and Performing Arts and highly enjoys uncovering the rich cultural and artistic heritage of Vienna to curious travellers.

Bulgarian by birth, Marieta has lived in Vienna since childhood. She has a degree in Informatics and is a licensed guide for Vienna and all of Austria. After having worked in the IT business for over 20 years, she decided to dedicate herself to leading tours, and in particular to the transfer of knowledge about history, art, culture and the way of life to the visitors of Austria, mainly Vienna. Her area of specialty is Music in Vienna, Jewish Vienna, Vienna around 1900, and wine culture. Marieta focuses very much on continuous education on her specialties and actively deepens her knowledge by conducting independent research, attending lectures at various institutions like the Institute for Jewish history, exhibitions and museums in Vienna and abroad.

Reinhard studied literature, cultural science and pedagogy at the Universities of Salzburg, Graz and Vienna. His PhD thesis was about Henri Michaux and French post surrealistic literature and art, and he has published literary criticism articles in multiple scientific journals. Since 1986, Reinhard has been working in the field of cultural tourism and cultural pedagogy and has also taught as a lecturer at Graz University. His main research topic is Italian and European Renaissance, Baroque and the Fin-de-siècle. At present, he is working on a study about late Italian Renaissance and the Counter Reformation. His research activities have always been very stimulating for his practical and professional work as a cultural historian.