Vienna State Opera

The Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper) is an opera house and opera company located in Vienna, Austria. The 1,709-seat Renaissance Revival venue was the first major building on the Vienna Ring Road. It was built from 1861 to 1869 following plans by August Sicard von Sicardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll, and designs by Josef Hlávka. The opera house was inaugurated as the “Vienna Court Opera” (Wiener Hofoper) in the presence of Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth of Austria. It became known by its current name after the establishment of the First Austrian Republic in 1921. The Vienna State Opera is the successor of the old Vienna Court Opera (built in 1636 inside the Hofburg). Vienna State Opera orchestra recrute the members of the Vienna Philharmonic. The building is also the home of the Vienna State Ballet and it hosts the annual Vienna Opera Ball during the carnival season. Rooms Parterre The parterre is the seating area on the first floor, directly in front of the stage and the orchestra pit. This section of the theater is the most popular because it has the most seats. Seats in the center of the parterre offer the best view and a sense of closeness to the performers. The section consists of several rows that recede from the stage. Premium seats are located closer to the center. Tickets for the parterre are always in high demand due to their excellent visibility, acoustics, and prestige. Loges The Loges are private or semi-private box seats positioned along the sides of the auditorium on several levels. Guests enjoy a more exclusive atmosphere than in the main seating blocks. Visibility depends on the location of the box. Boxes closer to the stage offer a better view, but from an angle. Balcony The balcony is the first tier of seating above the orchestra section. It offers a view of the entire stage and its set design. The center balcony is often considered the ideal choice because of its excellent visibility and relatively affordable ticket prices. Thanks to the height, it’s easier for audience members to appreciate large-scale scenes and choreography. The acoustics in the balcony are usually excellent. Gallery The Gallery is the upper tier of the auditorium. Although it is farther from the stage, it offers a panoramic view of the performance and the richly decorated interior of the opera house. Tickets for the Gallery are usually cheaper than those for the Parkett or the Balcony. Parterre Standing Room The Parterre standing-room section is located at the back of the parterre on the first floor, directly beneath the central imperial box. This section is considered one of the best spots in the opera house. Audience members stand throughout the entire performance but have an excellent view of the stage. Because this section is so popular, tickets often sell out quickly, especially for famous productions and performances by star artists. Tickets for these seats can only be purchased at the opera box office 180 minutes before the start of the performance. Balcony Standing Room The standing room area on the balcony is located behind the sections with seats. It offers a panoramic view of the stage. Tickets for this area are cheaper than those for the seated sections, but the view of the performance is excellent. Gallery Standing Room The Gallery Standing Room occupies the highest standing area in the opera house. From this vantage point, visitors can observe the full auditorium as well as the stage. Side Balcony and Side Gallery Seats The “Side Balcony” and “Side Gallery” sections are located at the edges of the upper tiers. Tickets for these sections are usually cheaper because part of the stage may be obscured, depending on the production. However, these seats offer excellent acoustics and the atmosphere of an opera house. Emperor’s private room The Kaiserloge is the most prestigious box in the auditorium, located in the center above the stalls, directly opposite the stage. Franz Joseph I designed it for the Habsburg imperial family. This box offers an excellent view of the stage. Rich decorative elements, including gilding, velvet, and imperial symbols, set it apart from ordinary boxes. Today, it is reserved for state guests, dignitaries, and special occasions. Tour Prices Available every day from 09:00 to 13:00. Adults: €15 Senior citizens: €11 Students (under 27): €9 Children (+6): €9 How to get to? Oper, Karlsplatz is a bus stop opposite the opera’s main entrance. Buses N38, N60, N71, N75, and N49 stop here. Alternatively, at Philharmoniker Str., there’s a stop called Kärntner Straße, served by route 2A. Oper, Karlsplatz tram stop is also nearby. Trams 1, 2, 71, and D stop here. Karlsplatz is a U-Bahn station where lines U1, U2, and U4 intersect. The exit to the opera is located nearby. See also France travel guide Spain travel guide Catalonia travel guide Pyrenees travel guideThe post Vienna State Opera first appeared on All PYRENEES.