Vienna State Opera

Another of the things we had never before done in Vienna was tour the Vienna State Opera. It was one of the best such tours we have done. The guide was exceptionally knowledgeable about the building, opera, and music generally.

Vienna State Opera, constructed in the 1860s, damaged in

the war, restored 1955-65

While waiting for the English tour to begin,

we tried on some of the costumes

I know, it's just not my color

Largest stage in Europe; they say you could fit St. Stephen's

inside it

Ditto

A meeting room in the Emperor's suite;

available for hire

In the main intermission hall they display

busts of all the great opera composers,

you know, Meyerbeer, Marschner,

Spontini (!)...but not Wagner...this is a small

bust in one of the subsidiary lounges...

the guide explained that the music critic

Eduard Hanslick had chosen those to be

honored...Wagner's fiercest contemporary

critic

View of the stage from center balcony

Side boxes

In the boxes, each seat has its own little flip-

up monitor to read the translated libretto

The dome and chandelier

Stage view from the floor

House view from floor