Julie Andrews to host Vienna concert

Julie Andrews is to serve for the third time as host of an annual New Year's concert featuring the Vienna Philharmonic and Vienna Boys' Choir, PBS said. "From Vienna: The New Year's Celebration 2012" is to air live Jan. 1 on PBS. The American public television network has broadcast the traditional concert under its "Great Performances" banner since 1985. "It is always a privilege and a wonderful spoiling to visit Vienna, especially at holiday time. The sights and sounds are glorious and I bask in the irresistible music all around me, particularly the beautiful Strauss waltzes," Andrews said in a statement. The British actress has a longstanding artistic connection to Austria since one of her most famous films, "The Sound of Music," is set in the country. PBS described the annual holiday concert in Vienna as "the largest worldwide event in classical music reaching over a billion people annually through radio and television in 72 countries." "The Vienna Philharmonic's traditional New Year's program has showcased Viennese musical culture at the highest level and, since the first television broadcast in 1959, sent the world a New Year's greeting in the spirit of hope, friendship and peace," a news release said.