Vienna State Opera

Overview

The Wiener Staatsoper is one of the world's leading opera houses, staging around 350 performances per year with a repertoire of 60+ operas and ballets. The neo-Renaissance building seats 2,284 and hosts the legendary annual Opera Ball.

Highlights

• Standing-room tickets: Just €4–15, sold 80 minutes before curtain—world-class opera at pocket-money prices.
• Guided tours: 40-minute tours revealing the auditorium, stage machinery, and Gustav Mahler's old office.
• Live simulcasts: Select performances are streamed on a giant screen outside on Karajan-Platz.

History

Opened in 1869 as the first building on the new Ringstraße, the opera house was heavily bombed in 1945 and rebuilt (retaining the original facade) by 1955. Mahler, Strauss, and Karajan all served as directors.

Visitor Tips

• Standing room: Queue forms ~2 hours before the performance at the Operngasse entrance.
• Dress code: No strict code, but Viennese dress up—smart-casual minimum.
• Duration: 2–4 hours (performance); 40 minutes (tour).