KONZERTHAUS VIENNA Priceless. Human Rights

Can we still afford democracy?
Locked in debate: Franz Schellhorn, Sven Hartberger, and the audience.

Friedrich Cerha
Deux éclats en reflexion (1956) for violin and piano
Acht Bagatellen (2009) for clarinet and piano

Franz Schellhorn discussion
Sven Hartberger discussion
Sidonie Forstreiter presentation
Annette Bik violin
Andreas Schablas clarinet
Janna Polyzoides piano

Can we still afford democracy?
»Priceless. Human Rights« is a series of talks with Sven Hartberger, the long-standing artistic director of the Klangforum Wien and an author committed to socio-political issues. The new format takes place alternately in the Schubert Hall of the Vienna Konzerthaus and at the Kammerspiele in Josefstadt.

Controversial Conversations
Here, Sven Hartberger meets a variety of guests from the worlds of art, culture and politics. Following three short, controversial rounds of discussion on the podium, the floor will be opened to the audience, inviting them to join in the exchange.

​Works by Friedrich Cerha
Music by Friedrich Cerha will be performed on every evening. The general public remains just as unaware of the significance of the vast musical oeuvre that Cerha created as it is of the significance of the increasingly rapid erosion of human rights.

Sven Hartberger in conversation with Franz Schellhorn
»Democracy is a competitive disadvantage.« So says the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico. He’s right about that. Question: So should we do away with democracy, or perhaps do away with competition instead? On the first evening of the series, Sven Hartberger will be in discussion with former business journalist Franz Schellhorn, director of the think tank Agenda Austria.

Tickets 15,- €
Tel. +43 1 24200-2
Mail: ticket@konzerthaus.at
Advance sales
for members from 03/08/2026 available
for everyone from 10/08/2026