/ 25 January 2006

‘Hello? Is that Mozart?’

Wish you could get Mozart on the phone? No problem — and you won’t even have to part with a coin to compose the call.

Fifty bright red “Calling Mozart” booths went up around Vienna on Wednesday, two days before Austria celebrates the 250th anniversary of his birth. Visitors can listen to Mozart’s works or information about his life and times.

The 50 information booths were erected in parts of the Austrian capital where the composer was known to have spent time working or relaxing. Users call a special number on their cellphones and are instantly connected to the site, which also offers audio and text tidbits on exactly what Mozart did at a particular location.

“We wanted to make it easy for people — tourists and interested locals alike,” said Kurt Rammerstorfer, the project’s leader.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born on January 27 1756 in Salzburg, a main launch point for festivities being held worldwide on Friday’s 250th anniversary. Events in Vienna will include the official reopening of the lovingly restored downtown house where Mozart wrote The Marriage of Figaro. — Sapa-AP

On the net

Official 250th birthday site