Vienna State Opera

It was stunning, so elegant and beautiful. The acoustics were amazing. I love the architecture and the ambience. If you’re in Vienna this is a must do and see. I highly recommend both the Opera and the Ballet. The tip we received from our guide was to get standing room only tickets as most seated tickets were sold out well in advance and we were there impromptu.

Absolutely one of the best opera I have ever been to. Even though my seat location wasn’t the perfect one, I enjoyed and the subtitles were very useful. After the break, many people leaves and you can change to better ones if you are lucky. Make sure you get your ticket like two months earlier, you can find cheap tickets!

I have the opportunity to reserve my ticket months in advance for the performance of Tosca. I was very impressed by the audience, the majority of whom were nicely dressed up. The Vienna State Opera was partially destroyed in WWII and rebuilt again. Worth visiting!!

I had the luck to attend the Wiener Opern Ball 2025, an outstanding event. The guests were all dressed to the nines, sporting gorgeous dresses and dazzling ornaments. A leap into another era, spiced up by classical music played by an exceptional orchestra. The dancing couples move symmetrically with a play of colors white (the debutantes) and black (their gentlemen) that make the parterre a moving chessboard. Laughter is accompanied by glasses of champagne and opera singers and dancers. All the side rooms had pop-ups: from live bands to food courts (everyone was eating wiener), from last minute make-up stands to sweets distributors. The entrance was garnished with lots of fresh flowers. The red carpet was unexpected (I am probably the typical guest with a lost look in the interview footage of some local celebrity). White tie, gorgeous. An event to do at least once in a lifetime

I had a wonderful experience! The architecture of the building is truly stunning, and the warm atmosphere was enhanced by the beautiful people around. The live music created such a lovely vibe, and the artist's talent was genuinely impressive. I wholeheartedly recommend visiting this place; it’s a memorable experience that I believe everyone should have.

I had the chance to visit the Vienna State Opera, and even though I didn’t go inside, the exterior alone was absolutely breathtaking. The building’s architecture is stunning, with its grand, historic charm that really stands out in the heart of Vienna. I made sure to see it both during the day and at night, and each offered a unique experience. During the day, the intricate details of the façade are clearly visible—the beautiful stonework, arched windows, and ornate decorations really showcase the building’s rich history and elegance. But it’s at night when the Vienna State Opera truly comes to life. The way it’s illuminated makes it look spectacular, almost magical, as the warm lights highlight every architectural detail against the dark sky. The atmosphere around it in the evening feels vibrant and full of life, with people bustling around, adding to its charm. Even without stepping inside, just admiring the Vienna State Opera from the outside was an unforgettable experience. It’s a must-see landmark in Vienna, both day and night, for anyone who appreciates beautiful architecture and a touch of history.

Excellent tour of the Vienna State Opera. Its entry is from the backside of the main entrance. One needs to be there on time. Marvellous place . 80% of the opera was destroyed in WWII . Only 20 % remains. But it’s worth a visit. The opera conducts a ball once a year .

An impressive building and worth doing a guided tour to lessen more about the history, creation and how it’s used today. Tour was in English and guide was very good and clear. The tour group size is definitely on the large size but worked okay. There was no cloak room and toilets were in the cafe so best be prepared before the tour. Worth the €15 and reasonable value compared to a lot of attractions in Vienna.

WOW!! just wow the history the music the show the place is just filled with the spirit of Mozart. I loved the experience and especially loved how everyone came dressed up! gorgeous spot and it is a must if you visit Wien Vienna

Gorgeous Architecture. Opulent Entrance. Magnificent Stairway. Attentive Valets. Plush Box Seats. Clear Sightline. Majestic Music. Le Nozze Di Figaro. June 6th, 2023. Treasured Performance. C U Soon. CHEERS!

I'm not real big on operas although I adore musical theatre but being in Austria I knew attending opera was a must! I'd purchased tickets for us to see La Juive which somehow turned into Carmen. I'm not certain if I missed a communication but we were totally happy to see anything, we mainly just wanted to experience the Vienna Opera House. It was quite warm in our box and I was sleepy since we'd just landed that afternoon, but we managed. I appreciated the personalized screens that translate the opera to a language of your choice. Very helpful! As is the sitting area with a mirror for freshening up, coat hooks and places to store your umbrella and belongings. Quite cozy! We had great views of the orchestra who were wonderful and it was really lovely to just sit and take the place in. I often caught myself looking around more than at the stage itself. It's truly spectacular and if we visit again I think I'll opt for an even further immersion. We arrived late due to our dinner and waited until intermission to enter. We didn't pre order intermission snacks since we'd just eaten but we did have some macaroons and a sparkling water. All in all we had a memorable experience and Carmen was wonderful. It was pouring rain when we left but luckily we dipped right out of a side door and directly down into the train station below. If you are staying nearby, I'd highly recommend riding the train here. We were staying a Hotel Motto and made it to and from completely underground (for reference if facing inclement weather). Beautiful opera house all around. Definitely worth a visit, even if Operas aren't really your thing.

A beautiful historical opera house with a great legacy and continued excellence. Grab tickets for a show extremely early because seats sell extremely fast. Some seats don't actually have a view of the stage so pay attention to which you purchase. The main entrance is the original entrance and opulently decorated. You'll find multiple bars and cafes inside but expect to pay a premium. Staff is great and speaks English.

We visited Viena after the opera season had ended while the opera house was being renovated. It would have been better to see an opera there, but the guided tour let us learn more of its history and some interesting anecdotes. I'm not aware of any other opera house that is as gorgeous and opulent, although some of the modern ones (e.g., Sydney and Beijing) do have very interesting and innovative designs.

This review is for the guided tours. The guided tour was the most rushed experience I've ever had. They push you through like cattle, giving you what feels like 10 seconds to take a look at each stop in the venue. Forget about taking photos; there is always a group right after you being ushered in so you are told to stay with your tour guide so you "don't get lost." The tour guide is knowledgeable, but there is no time to process what is said at each stop as you have about 5 seconds afterwards to view everything. We were literally told to sit down in the box seats and stand right back up as soon as the guide was finished talking. There was a traffic jam on the way out, too, as the next group was coming in. Opera tickets can be purchased for as low as $15 if you book early. It's a much better way to enjoy the venue (with an opera performance!) and to take it all in.

I feel so blessed that I got to go to my first opera ever in Vienna's magnificent opera house. Whether you want to watch an opera or not, I highly recommend that you tour the opera house because its architecture and decorative elements are breathtaking. As for the opera, I got to see Don Giovanni - a classic. Because we wanted to get a good view without paying 200+ euros, we decided to show up about two hours before the show to grab standing tickets. Standing tickets are only 10 euros and offer a fantastic view of the stage. When you get standing tickets, you should bring a scarf or piece of fabric to save your spot. Also, although it is cheap, I must be honest that standing for almost 4 hours was not so comfortable! Overall, it was an incredible experience that I will never forget! Please go see an opera, or at least take a tour of the building!

My mother and I saw Salome here during our brief visit to Vienna and we loved it. This opera house is beautiful. So beautiful. The outside is beautiful. The inside entrance and lobby and hallways are beautiful, and the main stage and seating areas are all beautiful. You have to check bags and coats but they're really fast and efficient. We expected a really long wait after the show but the people working back there were on top of it. The seats have a screen where each person can select a translation if needed which was a nice modern and unexpected touch. This way we were able to actually follow along and see what was being said. The show was phenomenal. Brilliant. From the opera singers to the orchestra, props and everything else. This was something I knew I wanted to do while I'm Vienna and I'm so glad I was able to.

Wow what an amazing building and atmosphere. I am no fan of the opera but I would come back here in a heartbeat. It's palatial, exquisite and so beautifully decorated. The show we saw was also incredible and the quality of the performers was world class. It's not cheap but I would happily pay to come here again. I have always wanted to visit at least one and now that I have been, would happily repeat the experience. It's regal, palatial and beautifully done building with lots of small balconies and of course seating on the ground floor. You can also buy standing tickets daily if you are willing to wait in line before the show.

Its not the Paris Opera House... The Vienna Staatsoper(State Opera) is like the good-looking but not-as-good-looking middle child of Opera Houses. Its elegant and classy inside, but not as fancy as the one in Paris. I've never seen a real opera, so I thought Vienna would be a great classy place to lose my opera-virginity. Tickets range from FREE to really expensive very quickly, and you'll probably want to buy tickets online long before you arrive in Vienna. -FREE outside to the right is big tv display showing the opera in real time...nice! -€4-6 "Day of" Standing Room tickets are available, but get in line early,(2 hours?) and keep in mind some Operas can go for 5+ hours! -€13 Way up nose bleed obstructed view....I "splurged" for these tickets. They aren't joking about obstructed view, I could only see 1/3 of the stage, or 1/2 if I leaned forward all the way. They're terrible! You get what you pay for. -€80-200+ all other tickets...it jumps up quickly! We saw/heard "Lohengrin"...something about a Swan Prince and a fair maiden. Its all in German, but it sounded nice, and there are subtitles. It was just really uncomfortable in our crap seats, so during the 1st intermission, we snuck into some much nicer seats with a dead center view. Now that was nice!(though illegal!). Its definitely worth checking out if you've never been...just keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Cheap ticket = crap seat. Also, this is an old fashioned and inefficiently U-shaped theatre, so just about all the seats on the side balconies are going to be horrible too, no matter what the price.

I saw a performance of L'Elisir d'Amore here earlier this year. The overture alone brought me to tears. I am not super into Operas but have grown up playing classical music and really enjoyed the production. the cast was truly world class. The people come through, do a few shows and leave, so it's pretty incredible to think that they all come together for a short time to put on such a flawless production. We were really happy with our box seats that were slightly off the the left. They were pricey but well worth it. They also have standing room only tickets if you are on a budget and want to still experience the opera. The seats are right in the center and it seems like people hold their place with a scarf. This was such a once in a lifetime experience. I was left speechless but the building itself. Make sure you arrive early so that you have time to explore the building and take photos. You can also have a drink or order drinks/food ahead of time so they are waiting for you during the intermission. I would definitely check out the shows that are playing during your visit and budget for this. It's not to be missed!

Definitely a must visit! Even if you aren't a fan of opera you can gain a better insight into Vienna's rich history of music and performing arts. Did you know the longest standing ovation was 80 mins long after Domingo's performance in Othello? The tour inside was about half that long and gave you a good idea of the history of the opera house and what goes on to prepare for the constantly rotating performances. Plus a look backstage and inside three reception/intermission rooms. One of the best things is that they project the opera performances live on a huge screen on the side of the building so the public can enjoy the opera. They set up several rows of chairs outside and we were lucky to view that night's amazing performance of Donizetti's "L'elisir d'amour" on the big screen (subtitles in German). There were many people sitting on the ground and standing, a couple people brought their own lawn chairs. It was one of the best things I did in Vienna, even though we were not inside it was exhilarating to see the incredible talent of the orchestra and singers, the emotion of the music coming alive. The tour is offered in multiple languages and is very reasonably priced at 7,50 euro for 1 adult. Senior and children discount available.

A stunning opera house! This is a magical venue to view a show. Watching Hansel and Gretel here was such an amazing experience!! Being able to view the little details of the walls is fascinating. This is a must see when in Vienna and if at all possible it's even better when you can see a show here. Each seat has a small screen for viewing. It also offers more details such as history, FAQ, and info on becoming a supporter. I was very please to see English as an option for reading. As the opera was going on they displayed the lyrics in the language selected. You will not be disappointed by your seat selection as all views are spectacular. You can clearly see the stage and orchestra from all angles. Make sure to take in the beautiful chandelier. As you will see on your screen, the chandelier has changed over the many years. Be sure to show up early and take majority of your pictures before the show. They have a strict schedule and will not deviate from it. They will move you out of the opera house when it is closing time which is not too long after the show ends.

Unfortunately, we were unable to score tickets to a performance during our visit to Vienna. We will definitely start looking online far in advance of our next visit. We did, however, take the guided tour of the Opera House. We were in a group of about 15+/- people. There were other groups, but it didn't feel crowded or rushed. Our guide was very helpful and knowledgeable about every aspect of the theater. During a question & answer session with our tour guide, we sat near the stage so that we could watch the stage hands changing the scenery for the evening performance. It was a great behind-the-scenes look at how such an amazing Opera House works. If you can't get tickets to a performance, definitely don't miss the tour.

This is one of the most beautiful opera houses I've ever seen. The architecture is amazing!!!! Book a tour , it's worth it. I wish I experienced amazing performance there!!!!

Two nights in Vienna and I wanted tickets for the State Opera House. I was told that they have same night performance tickets which can be purchased at the Opera House 90 minutes before the show. The show began at 8 pm and I arrived at the theater at 6 pm. A lone of 50 people had already formed at the ticket booth. Tickets to the State Opera House even during the week is a big deal. At 6:30 the ticket booth opened and the line began to move. It's one ticket per person. In my case that did not matter but if you are with a party it obviously would. I choose standing room which was 4 Euro. I opted for upstairs and it was the right choice. Sometimes you get lucky. Once you have your ticket there is another line inside. Drinks can be purchased outside but not in the theater. The usher placed 6 of us in a line behind a railing. Now we standing there and it's only 6:50 with the show starting at 8 pm. There is no intermission so standing becomes an intolerably long time. There is a small screen w/subtitles during the performance. In retrospect I should have opted for the State Opera House tour even though the performance was great or better yet I should have tried for tickets on-line that had seating. Trying to squeeze in the last Vienna experience can lead you to some bad choices.

this review is for a the guided tour, not attendance at a performance the tours leave every hour on the hour and are conducted in English, French, German, Spanish and Italian (all separate tours). the tour takes about 45 minutes. the history of the Opera house fascinating and there are lots more private rooms than you might imagine. our tour ended in the auditorium and they were changing sets so it was fun to see the activity on stage definitely a recommended stop in Vienna

During my stop in Vienna I wanted to do two things - sample the Sacher-Torte and visit the Vienna Opera House. Luckily, they are located near one another and I was able to do both! The Opera House offers guided tours in a wide variety of languages at set times during the day. Apparently we showed up at the right time, as we only had a 30 minute wait before the next tour. Note that the tours accommodate really large groups, especially the ones offered in English. After purchasing our tickets we waited in the designated area for our tour guide to call for us. The first part of our tour took us into the opera house itself, where we were seated and able to see some activity on the stage while learning about what it takes to run the opera house, how many performances they put on every year, its history, the Opera Ball, etc. This was followed by a walk through the building to see some interesting rooms and sites. The tour itself involves walking and some steps and can move fairly quickly during some parts. When some groups come together in a tight spot it can be hard to hear the guide at times but it's not that big of an issue. For the relatively inexpensive ticket, I would recommend this tour of the historic opera house in Vienna, especially for opera loves.

On our trip to Vienna, the wife wanted to see a show at the Vienna Opera house. Luckily there was a ballet playing during the time that we were there so we booked the tickets online ahead of time. My suggestion is to folks is to make sure your booking directly through the official site and not some third party ticket vendor. The process was fairly easy, I indicated what my price range was and then after a few days I got an email indicating what seats were available. We were able to get center, first row, in the upper balconies so the view was pretty good. I don't think there is a very strict dress code here, we saw a lot of people more casually dress and some who were all dressed in black tie attire. Since it was winter time, they have a strict policy that all coats must be checked. It does not cost anything and once the show is over, they are very fast and efficient. Food and drinks are available in the concession area but it is rather expensive so I would definitely recommend eating beforehand if possible.

So crowded and impossible to hear tour guide. There are 10-20 tours of 35 people each happening at the same time. Given the echoes, it is impossible to hear and a miserable experience. English tour was 9 EUR at 1 pm on 7 June

The time I went to Vienna's Opera house to see, 'Giacomo Puccini's Turandot, Opera. Was Influenced by my dream to always see The late & great Tenor 'Luciano Pavarotti' unfortunately he passed before I could see the Maestro in action ( RIP ), such power, such magnetic sounds that either grab you forcibly and pull you in like a vortex or it spits you out like an over chewed gum, you either LOVE it or YOU don't!, Opera is one of those things that bore you because you're not cultured enough to respect it's out of this world power or it does. The night was dark and cloudy as I entered a magnificent palace with such history ... Some of the greatest tenors that ever lived sung their hearts out in this beautiful opera house, I don't need to name any of them, they speak for themselves! The songs ripped thru my little black heart and caved me in enough to shed tears of laughter and joy, water puddles and rivers sipped thru my clothes as I watched such beauty and indescribable music that soared where no Eagles dared, and into my black little heart. one day I shall return again, and feel the power and see the history again, and feel like the King, again for one night in beautiful Vienna to capture the mere glimpse of all my dreams again, and again until I die, and my death will not be in vain for my death won't be quick it will be magnificent, "I want to feel what it's like. I want to taste it, hear it, smell it. Death is only going to happen to you once; I don't want to miss it". - Jim Morrison - The end

When Gayle and I first arrived in Vienna, we walked from the Hotel, stopped in a Vienna coffee house and walked by the Opera House as we were getting oriented. The ballet of Don Quixote was playing a a huge outdoor screen outside. Lots of locas on folding chares were watching the production for free. And so did we. So Cool!

The only reason I do not give this ten stars is because it is way too conservative for the great opera houses of Europe (and this may well be the greatest). But that said, the company is great, the repertoire is usually a crowd plaeaser, and there are super cheap standing room only seats that you can buy on the the night of the performance. Otherwise you can drop hundreds. I have seen a number of operas here, and all of them were good. Great singers, a fine orchestra, good sets, and it offers a level of old world elegance that is extinct in the rest of Europe. But like I said, this opera house is too established for its conservative line up of audience safe operas to experiment with new opera or experimental programs. So if you like Strauss, Verdi, Wagner, and Mozart, this is the opera for you.

Review for tour only. We enjoyed it so much it was worth a yelp for any fine arts lovers to put on their must-visit list. We didn't have time to attend a performance (I am a huge opera fan, but usually go with girlfriends, not Hubby. No good coming for a romantic visit only to torture the man for 3.5 hours, I'll be back soon anyway. BTW, IMO standing room - just don't do it. I can sing entire librettos - badly - and I still wouldn't want to stand that long to watch something). The tour was a fantastic consolation prize, and I highly recommend it. The guide was the sweetest girl, very informative but concise. It is a gorgeous, exuberantly and lavishly decorated building, full of history. The biggest treat was going behind-the-scenes to see all the pulleys and the huge set getting put in place. LOVED it. It's a popular tour, held in several different languages, so make sure you get there early to buy tickets and join the right group (it is the neatest thing to see all the different signs for "Spanish" "Greek" "French" "German", "Hungarian" etc).

This review is solely for standing room tickets at Staatsoper. I was very, very hesitant about this, because who wants to stand for several hours? I read travel reviews on other websites and they convinced me that it is the best way to see the famous Staatsoper, even if you don't enjoy opera. So, there I am waiting in the standing room line about two hours before showtime. The waiting area is indoors and there is a restroom. Most everyone sits on the floor, so don't think you'll be standing outside in the rain and cold for two hours like I did. This was a nice surprise. Once they decide to let people in (exactly 80 minutes before showtime) the line funnels through rather quickly and people specify where they'd like to stand. I have absolutely no German skills, so I just pointed to the most expensive seat (4 euro) which ended up being on the lower part of the house floor. Excellent view. After that, you stand in more lines. Just because your ticket has a "seat" number, doesn't mean that you get that actual seat in the standing room area. You should hurry to line up in the next line outside the auditorium door. Then you wait for a little bit and they let you in. After claiming your spot by tying a scarf (don't forget this! it's a tradition!) you can leave to check your coat (recommended), use the bathroom again, take pictures, buy drinks, etc. They ask that you return 15 minutes before curtain call. Coat check is free, binoculars are two euro and are unnecessary from where I stood. By the time we returned, some sneaky people had claimed some of our spots but we were able to argue our way back in. Rude. On the day we went, La Boheme was playing. It's a classic Italian opera set in the Latin Quarter of Paris. I was excited to see it, but man, standing is NOT for the weak. After walking around all day, my legs were tired and it was uncomfortable to stand in such a crowded space. They even let people stand in the aisles (a big NO NO in the U.S.) and the area got SO HOT. By the time of the last act, we had shed almost every layer we could (while remaining decent, of course) Also, even though there are translators in each row, they didn't always match up with the dialogue. There would be times where the actors would be saying all kinds of things, and the box would only say four words. It was also annoying to always look down at the translator then look up at the stage. But whatever. All in all, it was something different for me to do on vacation, and the opera house itself is gorgeous. We enjoyed people watching (so many fancy people!) and the actual performance, but we agreed that it was something that we'd only do once. I wouldn't recommend it to just anyone, but if you are into opera this is a really cheap way to see it in a world famous venue.

It's hard to believe that architect of the Opera committed suicide due to the critical reception of the Neo-Renaissance building. Tragic now that the city is minting money at his expense. The interior is lavish.

Went tonight and enjoyed tremendously. Best opera on the planet!!! Great seats, small overall seating but outstanding acoustics.

The Vienna Opera House is a top tier site in Vienna and it's best to actually see an Opera at the place instead of just touring it. And the best way to do that is line up for standing room only tickets ahead of time. (Tickets go on sale 80 minutes ahead. I got there around 45 minutes early and it worked out fine). Opt for the Parterre section as the view is far superior to the two other standing areas higher up. The price is only 4 euro! (3 Euro if higher up but that extra Euro is worth it) After buying your tickets head for the section and tie a scarf at your railing to reserve your spot. Find a spot with a little electronic screen under the railing as you'll be able to turn on subtitles in English for the performance. All in all my wife and I loved it. It's a steal. (And if 3 hours of Opera is too much just duck out early - you only paid 4 euro!)

Just left the opera house where 4 of us saw Salome... We lasted an hour and here's why... Not being opera-enthusiasts, we didn't wanted to spend an exuberant amount on tickets and the show was sold out (order and print out your tickets early!). We ended up opting for the standing room only which are either 3-4 euros. Here's what you need to know for standing room seats: - the Vienese take their opera very seriously... Men must wear pants, jeans are fine - the box office opens 20 minutes before the show starts but the line begins to build wayyy before that. We came at 6:30 (box office opened at 6:40 and show at 8) and there were over 100 people lined up already - each person can only buy ONE ticket for him/herself. You cannot buy multiple tickets, you will get yelled at if you ask - once the box office opens, it moves very fast. Know what standing room level you want to be on... Once we were in inside, the usher told us she would have opted for the upstairs option... Oh well - there's no intermission so once you leave, you are officially leaving the show Once inside, it's chaotic. People rush to get in the next line so they can get a row in the front. There are railings in between and comfortably, 4-5 people can fit but the usher tries to squeeze 6 per row. Now you have about 45 minutes before the start of the show and you can only have drinks outside. Bring a scarf or something to hold your spot... For the most part it does act as a space saver but it isn't guaranteed. Finally the show starts... It's beautiful and if you comfortable, especially standing, then you can enjoy it. There's a small screen that has subtitles which helps and confuses since it literally translates everything which probably sounds beautiful in German. So why we left within an hour. It's hot and you are cramped and sitting with people who aren't opera lovers so they too begin to get restless. There's no intermission and just couldn't sit still... We definitely would have stayed had we been in seats or not spent the entire day walking.

Context: I didn't see a performance here, but did do a full guided tour of the Opera House. It is a *beautiful* building steeped in history, and the guides (you can line up for tours in one of several languages including English, German, and Russian while I was there) know their stuff. The best part of the tour for me was the ability to go backstage where the stage was being set up for that night's performance of Tosca. Seeing those glimpses of a production that someone in the audience wouldn't normally be privy to was especially interesting. My only slight grumble is that the tour moved quickly, though that's hard to pace. Some rooms had so many ornate details to them that I would happily have stayed longer! When Opera tickets are too pricey or sold out, this is a good second option for getting inside the Opera House and hearing about its rich history from a very knowledgeable guide. Yelp note: learned through the tour that you can stream live performances (for a minimal fee) as well as buy night-of (80 mins beforehand) standing tickets. #themoreyouknow

My hundredth Yelp review deserves to be saved for an extremely special experience. About a year ago, I found myself unexpectedly in between jobs. Grouchy and worried about next steps, I decided to carpe diem, make lemonade out of lemons, whatever cliche have you, and book a spontaneous trip to Vienna to visit my brother, who was studying abroad there for a college semester abroad. He'd raved for months about what a fantastic, culturally rich, and beautiful place this city was, so I thought it would be fun to check it out. Fun was the understatement of that trip. We grew up in a very classical-music-dominant household, where each of us kids practiced our respective musical instruments for hours each day. I'd never really enjoyed music or its history much as a child; growing up in the U.S., far removed from the scenes and settings of many of our most famous historical music greats, it was all a bit much for me to conceptualize and embrace. Not so in Vienna, though. I instantly fell in love with the city and its rich history dripping from every corner. Instead of generic elevator music, I was greeted with the melodical classical music of my childhood in every lobby, Starbucks, and sometimes even open plazas around town. The nippy fall weather and Christmas decor everywhere only added to the allure; I'm a self-avowed Grinch, but I Liked Christmas In Vienna. While wandering the cobbled streets sipping my glühwein (mulled spiced wine) - isn't that just too precious? but it's true! - I came across a few banners advertising "The Nutcracker" production at the Vienna Opera House. I speak/read no German, so I turned to my trusty phone + roaming data to figure out if I could possibly score a ticket. The arts gods smiled upon me: The last show would be on my last full day in town; they had no more standing tickets available, but they had a last-minute seated ticket available for the ridiculously affordable cost of 11 euros. Furthermore, my seat was in one of the small "boxes" no more than a few meters from the stage, as I found out to my immense delight the night of the production. The Opera House itself is absolutely stunning. I have been a wedding photographer for many years and have seen a variety of incredible venues; if I were rich and could book out the Opera House for a wedding or event (or even just a photo shoot), I would blow my entire budget on that with no second thoughts. As things stand, the Opera House opens the "fancy" areas a little bit early on concert nights, so feel free to arrive early, wear something pretty, and take some tasteful photos.* *Try not to replicate the couple who ultimately ended up sitting right beside me. In addition to making out ostentatiously in literally every possible position *during* the first couple of scenes, they took selfies of themselves in just about every possible pose, part of the box, and of course up and down the staircase. Ugh! Thankfully, I guess their amorous adventures became too much for them to manage in public so they took themselves away about 30 minutes into the ballet. The caliber of talent from the orchestra and ballet performers alike was very, very high. The Nutcracker is a bit of a children's tradition, so about 35% of the audience were children there with their parents; I thought it was fantastic to see a new generation of youngsters being given the gift of culture for Christmas, and in such a fantastic atmosphere. My trip to Vienna was an absolute delight, but this Nutcracker experience in particular stood out significantly even amongst all the special moments there. In fact, I can still remember the magic of that moment almost exactly a year to the day right now. Ahh! Can't wait to go back someday... maybe with my own kids?!

I had a very negative experience here, so I contacted them to share what happened, and they never wrote me back. This 'one star' is for their lack of customer service, and not responding to me.

I loved everything about my experience at the Staatsoper - with the exception of the subtitles screen, but more on that later... I went to see Turandot and it was an amazing opera. The actors did a great job and I loved the show. The Staatsoper itself was very impressive. I took the guided tour earlier in the day and was able to learn a lot about the history of the building. I definitely recommend doing this before seeing an opera. My only gripe is that the subtitles screen is in front of the seats - I had to keep looking up at the stage and down at my screen so many times, that I gave up towards the end of the opera. Not only was I missing the show every time I looked down, but I was developing a crick in my neck! ;p At the Sydney Opera house, the subtitles are above the stage, so there was no need to keep looking back and forth between the stage and a small screen in front of you. I much rather prefer this. *Although*, I do understand that English is the primary language in Australia, and the Staatsoper needed the opera translated to many different languages due to the diverse audience. Overall a great experience - I will definitely go see another opera if I'm ever back in Wien.

Who knew that one could watch a world-class opera or ballet in this beautiful, grand state opera house for 3 or 4 euros? Well, my source and all the others who were lining up with me when I came to watch a ballet and, at a later time, an opera. If you could endure lining up an hour or two before the start of the show and standing up for the whole duration of the performance, then you could enjoy watching a ballet or an opera at the Wiener Staatsoper for a cheap price. It may be tiring for the legs, but it is worth it.

One of the most famous opera houses in the world, without a doubt. Couldn't leave Vienna without catching a performance at this venue. We bypassed the costumed scalpers outside (dressed as Mozart, I guess) and decided to wait on line for the general admission standing room only tickets. Very cheap, too. I think it was 5 Euros. After purchasing our tickets, we were soon ushered up many flights of stairs to the very top of the venue. Very little personal space, no seats, and a temperature that felt like it was rising as more people were crammed in next to us. These were all very minor annoyances, however, because once the performance started all of that was forgotten. The performance for that evening was Anna Karenina and it was superb. This was my first time seeing a performance like this and I wasn't exactly sure what to expect, but I was blown away. It was one of the highlights of my trip. If you are traveling to Vienna and cannot attend a performance at this venue, make a point to at least take a guided tour. The gorgeous red and gold interior of the performance space is reason enough to check it out.

Since seeing an actual performance here is sold out and costs as much as a car payment, take a guided tour instead. For €7,50 you get a tour throughout the opera house from the theater, the corridors and lavish intermission rooms. Our guide explained in great detail of what goes into each performance. The tour moves a bit faster than you'd like but you do absorb a lot of history. I was also shocked to see how small the actual mezzanines are and how uncomfortable the seats are.

The performance was really good. We enjoyed L'ELISIR D'AMORE. Our sittings ware on the main floor. The sound and viewing were really good. Though it was extremely hot. Also, the corridors out of the main hall are small and hot. Vary hard to get any drinks, no chance to get a table unless you reserved it before.

Ho! Ho! Ho! Four bright stars! Firstly, most operas end in tragedy and the one I attended, Katja Kabanova, did not mind going the same route. Enough of the story, now for the review. This opera house, although I did not spend enough time on the architectures in and out, served its purpose, in the budget that I did not expect. First of all, you should know that regular [seat] tickets for the opera house mostly sell out ahead of time due to the significance of the venue, so if you're visiting and you'd like to get the full-on experience, I suggest looking for tickets before you get there. Watching the opera was not in my itinerary. As a matter of fact, 5 hours prior to attending, I was told by a hostelmate that there will be a free screening outside of the opera house. During the summer, it would certainly be a lovely night to sit outside and watch, but it was nearing fall (felt like it) when I was in Vienna and the afternoons I was there drizzled. So, watching the opera in a big screen outside, although tempting, gave me chills due to the weather. Another hostelmate told me about the standing-room ticket, that if you go there 1.5 hours before the show begins, you can get a very cheap ticket, something like €4-5, to be in one of the boxes. So I made my way up there and was in line an hour before the show, dressed up, pearls, silk scarf, boojie fancy-fancy crap. Line was long but moved fast and if you happened to speak German, you might even get a discount ticket that someone was giving out. I didn't speak it so I did not get one but I saw a few of them giving it to the cashier. I picked the most expensive ticket €5 and headed to my box. Third line, right smack in the center of the stage. One advise I would like to give you before you spend on operas, you must see one on the telly and enjoy every bit of it because it will be the same in real life! Yes, it lasted for 3 hours. If you were at the back of the box, you do not have viewing pleasures unless you are 9 feet tall. You will be reading subtitles. If you were my height, 5 and a change of inch, you will be watching the screen in front of you the whole time. If you are in the standing room, you will be standing those three hours. If you are wearing heels (luckily I wore comfortable boots), you will hate every single minute of it, and yes, it will get old after about 3 minutes. If you are smart and you get there early, get to the front of the box, wore comfortable shoes, don't even dress up (I always do when I watch musicals even if it's just the San Diego Junior Theater in Balboa Park), and if you enjoy operas, then you're in for a treat. It was an experience of a lifetime. I'm sure it will be subpar compared to an opera in Italy but the journey that whole night made Vienna memorable to me.

Two words. Standing ticket. But don't let me stop you if you want to shell out an extra 150 euro to sit down, around 40 meters in front of my 4 euro standing spot. Now, I am definitely no opera critic. Oh... the soprano seemed to have a difficult time hitting clean F# and the bass seemed... no. I watched "L'italiana in Algeri," which was comedic opera about a ... ugh - just wiki it. It was very enjoyable and I was really impressed by the singing, which gave me the same thrill as Broadway. My biggest tip? Get on the standing ticket line at least 2 hours in advance so you can score great standing spots. If you score one near the front and by the rail, there will be small screens set up waist level that has translations of the lyrics. If you need to leave your spot, tie your scarf/any belonging onto the rail in front of you. It is a traditional and respected way of holding your spot. Before you get on the line, make sure you use the restroom. You can't have your friend save your spot. You leave, you're gone. Use the restroom only after you have gotten the tickets and secured a nice standing spot.

My husband and I decided to see a ballet- the Mayerling- a week ago when we were in Vienna. We were excited since it's been a couple of years since we have seen a ballet and it was an excuse to get semi-dressed up, which we had only done a couple of times in our 3 months of travelling. The outside of the theater room is beautiful. The steps and archways are adorned with angels and have a lot of great photo opportunities. The theater itself is mediocre- there is nothing wrong with it at all but we were just expecting a magnificently adorned hall after seeing the outside. I rationalized to myself that they are just trying to not take away from the beauty of the performance. The performance may have been beautiful, had we been able to see it. We sat in the first row of the second section, paid 89 euros a ticket and still were not able to see a damn thing. I may be 5'4", but my husband is 5'11" and he could not see anything either! After twenty minutes, I sat with my legs under me just to give me some height. We spend two hours jerking our heads from side to side. There is not enough of a slope between our seats and the seats in front of us. It wasn't just us, our whole row felt the same way. Whatever you do, do not get row 14! I had half a mind to ask for a partial refund for time wasted and my legs numbing every few minutes as I tried to elevate myself! The building is beautiful, the sets were gorgeous (what I saw at least), the drinks and snacks at intermission were reasonably priced, but if we had to do it over, we wouldn't have gone.

the building is spectacular inside and outside! i was lucky that i got to see hansel and gretel in december! this is a must

A must, especially if Placido Domingo participates in the opera. I was not fortunate enough to experience his tenor voice -- that would be too lucky -- but he was the conductor and the orchestra played Puccini's opera beautifully. The establishment is no where near as large as the Metropolitan Opera House, but bigger does not necessarily mean better. Austria, in particular Vienna, is either the birthplace or residence of the world's most prominent classical composers of the 17th and 18th centuries, so music is in her soul. Buy the tickets in advance if you don't want standing room tickets, which is also a gamble purchase. The less pricey tickets are either on the side balcony with obstructed views or in the nosebleed seats, but they're affordable and you enjoy the performance seated. Personally, I'd rather not wait in line hours before the performance in hopes of getting those tickets, which are sold only 80 minutes prior. Bottom line, if you're in Vienna, go. Music is a part of life.

Be aware of the cheap (€11) "partial" view seats on the side balconies...If you are from US or UK and used to "partial view" meaning that you will be able to see at least 80% of the stage you are up for a very unpleasant surprise. We were sitting on the 2nd row seats 4-5 on the side balcony last night hoping to enjoy Grieg's "Peer Gynt". If you sit comfortably in your seat...you can see one row of the orchestra and a tiny corner of the stage. If you move as far as you can in your seat and stretch your neck - you can see about half, unfortunately people in the first row have similar problem and they bend over the railing to be able to get a decent view - and we saw about 1/3 of the stage. Needless to say we couldn't enjoy the ballet. When I went to complain during the intermission (and I wasn't alone complaining), the lady in the office said "what do you expect from €11 tickets, those are just for listening". In the end I felt like a tourist that was just taken advantage of by unscrupulous cab driver...My advice - if you want to enjoy Vienna Staatsoper on the cheap go for a standing orchestra spots.

The famous Opera house of Vienna, centrally located by Karlsplatz, with lots of trams passing by. There is under ground parking options (but seriously, just go there by public transportation since a lot of lines drop you right in front) Overall experience is 3, based on loving opera in general and having been to a few opera houses. The inside of the opera house has some very nice rooms with beautifully decorated ceilings (not all), and the main stairway is pretty, but do not think you can walk around the opera house during intermission or so to view all the nice rooms because first, it feels like a maze, and second, they do not let you go very many places (restrictions). Any option for drink or snack (little open faced sandwiches) will make you bankrupt, so do not go hungry or thirsty. Of course a line to the ladies' bathroom (not sure about men), so also don't drink too much before! What would give this Opera a 1 (or zero if Yelp would allow it) is the seating. I do not know which idiot decided that a railing bar at the end of the stair way should go up high to seating level vision level, so that the view is blocked, no matter how you lean on your seat. So do not think purchasing a seat near the stair case on the first row is a good idea, in fact you will end up having a horrible experience, and will want to ask for your money back. In fact, Seems like there are a lot of seats in the opera house that would be uncomfortable, including the side wings. Try and get as much a center seat as possible. I also think the inside looks like plaster that a kid put together. It may have been the fashion at the time of construction and I am just a gothic or modern architecture snob. However, a few positives. Coat check is free, although very busy (they are effective though), and what would have gotten the Staatsoper 5 stars is the philharmonic; they were just spectacular. And funny. One guy would put his horn down and text on his phone throughout. With my view being blocked, I would sometimes look down his way through the unblocked part, and have a good laugh. Something else to note (not a plus or a minus, just a note), there is no screen above the stage for translation of any sort. Overall: If you have a choice, go to Volksoper. All the seats look fairly good, faster getting in and out, bathrooms on multiple levels and relatively free, a screen above the stage with following text, and also good philharmonic.

I still cannot believe I was in the Vienna Opera House! It is hard to imagine all the famous composers, especially Mozart, and performers who have walked the floors of the magnificent and majestic opera house. It is stunning. Our tour guide was super great and you can tell she loves it there. We learned so much and I even got the opportunity to sing back stage to see how immense the space is! What a dream!

a MUST SEE if you want a taste of european royal opulence! amazing architecture, gilded ceilings, gorgeous chandeliers and paintings tickets//*** booking tickets online was easy and we picked them up at will call. BEWARE of scalpers that hang outside of the opera house! *notice* they wear these amusing mozart costumes experience//***** when we were led to our seats..we didn't realize we bought box seats...where we lowered the average patron's age by about 20 years =P we were lucky enough to be seated in the first row where each patron gets a private screen w/ subtitles in your chosen language we had a pleasant conversation with the other people (ALSO from the states!) the father had spent a few years in austria and wanted his children to experience some of its culture on their vacation! :note: only the first row of the seats in the box has full visibility of the stage the second and third rows almost can't see anything in comparison (i *think* other sections could be a better alternative) dining//***** during intermission and there were plenty of snacks and drinks available, just be prepared for lines!

I was fortunate enough to actually see a performance in this beautiful opera house in Vienna. If you plan to travel to Austria, make sure to set aside some time to visit this beautiful landmark. The acoustics are amazing and the interior is absolutely breathtaking.

I can not believe i have not been inside the Stadtsoper before, Damn i really like it. What a beautiful building this is with fantastic acoustics in the opera room. There are no words i can find that would do justic to the very beautifully design biulding, inside and out.Watching an Opera here is a pleasurable experence. This is a MUST for everyone visiting Vienna.

I came to see the Anna Bolena opera, one of my favorite history stories of all time. I got in line an hour before show time to wait for the standing room ticket for 3 Euros. This is a great deal for the poor college student (I'm definitely broke from paying for grad school), with the caveat that you do have to stand the entire time (free workout at the Opera!)...but when else will you get to go to one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world for such a bargain price? Also, you don't have to stay the entire time if you really don't want to. There's an intermission halfway through, which was after the first hour and a half for the show I went to.

We waited in line and got standing-room tickets for a show we never heard of (Simone Boccanegra.) I guess it was worth it... but if you're not an opera person, it gets a little old after about 3 minutes.