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About us - History

Family Chronology

Family Chronology:
The chronology below shows that the Gundolf Family is looking back on a long tradition of music. It is this tradition we feel deeply committed to and we only present original and authentic Tyrolean music and dances to our audience during the Tyrolean Evenings that we have been performing for more than 40 years. The quality and authenticity of our programme has also been recognized by experts on Austrian folk music in various occasions.

1773

The mountain farmer and passionate musician Franz Gundolf founded the first village brass band in Häselgehr in the Lech Valley/Tyrol.

1869

His grandson, Franz Paulo Gundolf was born. He was supposed to inherit the farm but decided rather to be a teacher. Having built his own zither, Franz financed his studies by teaching music and in the evenings he sang and played in the guesthouse “Breinössl” in Innsbruck. After completing his studies he worked in Seefeld in Tyrol where he was also the church organist.

1905

Franz Paulo’s son Kurt was born. Franz and his wife Rudolfine had 8 children, all of whom could play numerous instruments and not only cultivated music at home but also at shows and festivals. Kurt took up a career as a bell founder where his fine musical ear was of great help in tuning bells. For 25 years Kurt was also soloist on the Flügelhorn with the Innsbruck city brass band “Wiltener Stadtkapelle”.

1950

Kurt and his brothers Otto, Erich and Oskar formed the Gundolf band, with which they performed throughout most of Europe.

1967

Kurt's sons Franz, Konrad and Ernst formed the present „Alpenbühne Geschwister Gundolf“. Together with father Kurt and the sisters Fini and Edith they performed as a family ensemble at the historical “Stiftskeller” in Innsbruck. With increasing success the group grew in size including first class singers, musicians and dancers performing at numerous locations in the city.

from 1971

Invitations to perform abroad took the Gundolf Family as Tyrolean musicians all over the world. Tours through Germany, Switzerland, Italy France, Holland, Sweden and Denmark where followed by overseas trips to:

  • South Africa: Johannisburg, Kapstadt, Pretoria, Stellenbosch, Kimberly
  • USA: New York, Los Angeles, Alamedo, Rochester
  • Canada: Toronto, Kitchener
  • USSR: Moskau, St. Petersburg, Wolgograd
  • Egypt: Kairo
  • Japan: Tokyo, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, Nagano
  • Korea: Seoul

Besides these tours the Gundolf Family has appeared in various occasions on some of the most important radio and TV stations in many countries, one of the reasons why a lot of people do consider the family as the musical ambassadors of the city of Innsbruck and the Tyrol across the world.

1985

The institute of traditional folk music in Innsbruck does confirm the authenticity of the Tyrolean Evenings performed by the Gundolf Family and rated the programme as being “culturally valuable”.

1989

Construction of the new venue „Sandwirt am Inn“ in Innsbruck by Franz and Jonna Gundolf

1997

The Gundolf family celebrates 30 years of existence of their family ensemble.

2007

The Gundolf family celebrates 40 years of existence of their family ensemble. As a representative for the whole family, Ernst Gundolf is awarded with the golden medal for special merits by the tourist board of the city of Innsbruck.

2017

The „Alpenbühne Geschwister Gundolf“ celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2017 - tradition and best entertainment in Innsbruck since 1967!
The musical tradition of the Gundolf family is now carried on by the third generation and as a family business we are very proud to have celebrated out 50th anniversary in 2017. Our thanks go above all to or guests, employees and partners who have remained loyal to us and made our success possible over so many years.

2018

The Tyrolean Evening of the Gundolf family breaks new ground / sale of the restaurant Sandwirt to the city of Innsbruck
The Sandwirt am Inn was sold by Jonna & Erwin Gundolf to the real estate company IIG of the city of Innsbruck - as reported in the local press in spring 2019. It was agreed upon a transitional phase for further use of the location.

2019

The „Alpenbühne Geschwister Gundolf“ search for a new venue for the Tyrolean Evening
The Tyrolean Evenings will continue to take place in the Sandwirt am Inn restaurant for a transitional period. The search for a new venue is running in parallel and after intensive and thorough examination of all available options, it was finally found at the Innsbruck Exhibition Centre (Expo).

2020

We are moving! From sommer season 2020 Tyrolean Evenings will take place in the new Alpensaal and der Messe in the centre of Innsbruck!
After the successful sale of the Sandwirt restaurant, the Tyrolean Evenings have found a new, well-equipped venue with the Gundolf family in a central location in the former exhibition hall (formerly Kammerspiele) in Innsbruck. The event hall with more than 450 seats has been resigned with great effort in a rustic style. The Gundolf family offers its guests at the new location the best comfort, a cosy and traditional ambience and good local cuisine.