NATIONAL OPERA (WIENER STAATSOPER)
Going to the Vienna State Opera, a dream come true during a show, a gala or a ball. Get out your best clothes!
The Vienna Opera House, designed by the architects Auguste von Sicardsburg and Eduart van der Nüll, was inaugurated in 1869 with Mozart's Don Giovanni, which was finally restored. Emperor Franz Joseph himself attended the first performance of the "Imperial and Royal Court Opera". He confided to his aide-de-camp that the opera, although sumptuous, seemed to him to be a little low. Van der Nüll killed himself shortly after. His colleague Sicardsburg, very affected by this tragedy, died two months later of a stroke. From then on, the emperor did not dare to criticize, limiting his comments to his famous: "It is very beautiful, I liked it very much
The original building was badly damaged by the Allied bombing in March 1945. Only a part of the loggia and the staircase, decorated by Moritz von Schwind, and the bronze statue of Pegasus by Julius Hähnel were spared, and these are the remains that can still be seen. The rest of the opera house was rebuilt in 1955. From the roof you can enjoy the view of the Ring. The guided tour, which is very informative and in English, lasts about 40 minutes.
To attend an opera at the Staatsoper is a unique experience and almost a must during a stay in Vienna. However, you will have to buy your tickets well in advance. The alternative is to go to the opera house before the performance (maximum 1.5 hours) and buy standing room for a few euros.
Further information
Opening time and information on NATIONAL OPERA (WIENER STAATSOPER)
Guided tours of 45 minutes in French (see availability on the website). Adults: 13 €, reduced: 9 €, children: 7 €.
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Members' reviews on NATIONAL OPERA (WIENER STAATSOPER)
It loses a star though because during intervals there is nowhere to sit. There is nothing but space for chairs yet there are no chairs to be found. It's really rather strange, also no tables... you have people juggling food and drink trying to find any space they can to gain a free hand to eat with. And for people standing they end up even sitting on the floor...
I actually thought it was a safety concern that people were forced to put their glasses on balconies which could have easily fallen onto guests below.
The opera tour is also very good, very interesting and well led.
La platea in sé non è molto grande (2200 posti) se paragonata ad altri teatri italiani, ma ciò che colpisce è folgora è sicuramente l’interno e la sua sfarzosa architettura decorativa. Una tappa immancabile per gli amanti della musica a Vienna.
Programmazione teatrale che cambia ogni sera, tenendo in considerazione che l’opera di stato propone solo lirica e balletti.