VIENNA STATE OPERA, Presentation

Even if you’re not an opera or ballet fan, a visit to this temple of opera is a must.

You can take a guided tour, during which you’ll learn about the history and secrets of the building as you admire the foyer, the grand staircase and the main rooms, such as the Tea Room, where Franz Joseph used to rest between ceremonies, the Marble Hall, or the Gustav Mahler Hall, not to mention, of course, the imposing auditorium, which can seat 2,800 people.

However, you might also like to admire this fabulous structure while attending one of the three hundred annual performances. On the day of the performances, standing room is sold extremely cheaply, and with a bit of luck, you might be able to stand at the back of the stalls, right under the imperial stage!

Another option is to attend the annual Wiener Opernball, the famous Opera Ball, whose origins date back to the early 19th century. For this occasion, the seats in the stalls are removed and a new floor is installed, turning the auditorium of the opera house into a spectacular ballroom. After the famous society début of 150 couples of fortunate young people from the upper classes, when the master of ceremonies pronounces the two magic words, "Alles Walzer", you can begin to twirl to the notes of a famous waltz in this fairy-tale setting, amidst elegant tailcoats and evening gowns, in the company of the crème de la crème of Viennese high society.

Needless to say, to live this dream, you’ll need to have the right contacts and a healthy bank balance!

An interesting fact: Since 1998, the Opera House has also been hosting visual art, with an original initiative called "Eisernen Vorhan" or "Iron Curtain". At the beginning and end of the performances, the 176-square-meter curtain is transformed into an exhibition space for contemporary art, displaying images of works by young artists, selected each year by a special jury.