HISTORY & ARCHITECTURE
https://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/en/staatsoper/the-opera-house/history-architecture/#c4408
Built in 1869, Wiener Staatsoper looks back on a past that is steeped in tradition and takes pride in a richly-varied offer today.
Find out more about the opera building at Ringstrasse boulevard, an architectural gem which dates from the era of Emperor Francis Joseph I
WIENER STAATSOPER
https://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/en/staatsoper/the-opera-house/
Wiener Staatsoper is one of the leading opera houses in the world. Its past is steeped in tradition. Its present is alive with richly varied performances and events. Each season, the schedule features 350 performances of more than 60 different operas and ballets. Every night, you can witness world-class artists alongside the permanent ensemble members on the stage and at the conductor’s desk, accompanied by a unique orchestra: the orchestra of Wiener Staatsoper, whose members at the same time make up the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
FACTS & FIGURES
https://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/en/staatsoper/the-opera-house/facts-figures/
350 performances each season
600,000 spectators each season
9 premieres
60 operas and ballets in the repertoire, from Baroque to contemporary
45 live streams each season
1 Opera Ball
220 singers, of which 60 ensemble members
30 conductors
around 100 dancers in the Vienna State Ballet
around 200 stage hands
overall 950 staff members
1709 seats, 567 standing room places
RENTALS
https://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/en/staatsoper/the-opera-house/rentals/
The state rooms of Wiener Staatsoper (Schwind Foyer, Gustav Mahler Hall, Marble Hall, Tea Salon) can be rented for events during daytime. On closure days, these premises are available also for evening events.
RENTAL OF THE TEA SALON WHEN ATTENDING A PERFORMANCE
Guests attending an opera or ballet performance can rent the Tea Salon, which is usually not accessible, for use one hour before curtain, during the interval, and after the performance.
We will gladly provide you with all the information you may require and look forward to your enquiry.
Rental fees (plus statutory VAT):
TEA SALON
→ in combination with attending a performance
Pre-performance € 500,-
One interval € 500,-
Two intervals € 650,-
Pre-performance and interval(s) € 725,-
Post-performance € 900,-
Interval(s) and post-performance € 1.050,-
SCHWIND FOYER | MARBLE HALL | GUSTAV MAHLER HALL
→ in combination with attending a performance
after the performance € 2.500,-
TEA SALON | SCHWIND FOYER | MARBLE HALL | GUSTAV MAHLER HALL
→ for events during daytime, on closure days also in the evening
Staff costs depend on customer requirements.
As at: 1 November 2016
https://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/en/staatsoper/the-opera-house/rentals/
PUBLICATIONS
https://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/en/staatsoper/the-opera-house/publications/
DIE ÄGYPTISCHE HELENA | Strauss, Wiener Staatsoper 1970, (BMG)
ANDREA CHÉNIER | Giordano, Wiener Staatsoper 1960, (ORFEO)
ARIADNE AUF NAXOS | Strauss, Wiener Staatsoper 1976, (ORFEO)
ATTILA | Verdi, Wiener Staatsoper 1980, (ORFEO)
UN BALLO IN MASCHERA | Verdi, Wiener Staatsoper 1986, (ORFEO)
DER BESUCH DER ALTEN DAME | von Einem, Wiener Staatsoper 1971, (ORFEO)
BILLY BUDD | Britten, Wiener Staatsoper 2001, (ORFEO)
LA BOHÈME | Puccini, Wiener Staatsoper 1963, (BMG)
CARMEN | Bizet, Wiener Staatsoper 1966, (ORFEO)
CAPRICCIO | Strauss, Wiener Staatsoper 1964, (ORFEO)
COSÌ FAN TUTTE | Mozart, Wiener Staatsoper 1968, (ORFEO)
DON CARLO | Verdi, Wiener Staatsoper 1970, (ORFEO)
DON CARLOS | Verdi, Wiener Staatsoper 2004, (ORFEO)
ELEKTRA | Strauss, Wiener Staatsoper 1965, (ORFEO)
ERNANI | Verdi, Wiener Staatsoper 1998, (ORFEO)
EUGEN ONEGIN | Tschaikowski, Wiener Staatsoper 1988, (ORFEO)
FALSTAFF | Verdi, Wiener Staatsoper 1983, (ORFEO)
FAUST | Gounod, Wiener Staatsoper 2009, (ORFEO)
FESTKONZERT 5. NOVEMBER 2005, Wiener Staatsoper 2005, (ORFEO)
FIDELIO | Beethoven, Wiener Staatsoper 1944 und 1953, (ANDANTE)
FIDELIO | Beethoven, Wiener Staatsoper 1955, (ORFEO)
FIDELIO | Beethoven, Wiener Staatsoper 1962, (DGG)
LA FORZA DEL DESTINO | Verdi, Wiener Staatsoper 1960, (ORFEO)
DIE FRAU OHNE SCHATTEN | Strauss, Wiener Staatsoper 1955, (ORFEO)
DIE FRAU OHNE SCHATTEN | Strauss, Wiener Staatsoper 1964, (DGG)
DIE WALKÜRE - 1. Aufzug | Wagner, Wiener Staatsoper 2007, (ORFEO)
DER FREISCHÜTZ | Weber, Wiener Staatsoper 1972, (ORFEO)
DER RING DES NIBELUNGEN | Wagner, Wiener Staatsoper 2011 (DG)
IL GIURAMENTO | Mercadante, Wiener Staatsoper 1979, (ORFEO)
GUILLAUME TELL | Rossini, Wiener Staatsoper 1998, (ORFEO)
INTERMEZZO | Strauss, Wiener Staatsoper 1963, (ORFEO)
JOHAN BOTHA | Italian Opera Arias, Wiener Staatsoper, 2019 (ORFEO)
LA JUIVE | Halévy, Wiener Staatsoper 1999, (BMG)
LADY MACBETH VON MZENSK | Schostakowitsch, Wiener Staatsoper 2009, (ORFEO)
LOHENGRIN | Wagner, Wiener Staatsoper 1965, (ORFEO)
LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR | Donizetti, Wiener Staatsoper 1978, (ORFEO)
LUISA MILLER | Verdi, Wiener Staatsoper 1974, (ORFEO)
LULU | Berg, Wiener Staatsoper 1968, (ANDANTE)
MACBETH | Verdi, Wiener Staatsoper 1970, (ORFEO)
MADAMA BUTTERFLY | Puccini, Wiener Staatsoper 1961, (ORFEO)
DIE MEISTERSINGER VON NÜRNBERG | Wagner, Wr. Staatsoper 1955, (ORFEO)
LE NOZZE DI FIGARO | Mozart, Wiener Staatsoper 1977, (ORFEO)
OEDIPE | Enescu, Wiener Staatsoper 1997, (NAXOS)
OPERNFEST 1955 (Ausschnitte), Wiener Staatsoper 1955, (ORFEO)
OTELLO | Verdi, Wiener Staatsoper 1987, (ORFEO)
PAGLIACCI | Leoncavallo, Wiener Staatsoper 1985, (ORFEO)
PALESTRINA | Pfitzner, Wiener Staatsoper 1964, (BMG)
PARSIFAL | Wagner, Wiener Staatsoper 1961, (BMG)
PARSIFAL | Wagner, Wiener Staatsoper 2005, (DGG)
REQUIEM | Mozart, Wiener Staatsoper 1955, (ORFEO)
DER RIESE VOM STEINFELD | Cerha, Wiener Staatsoper 2002, (ORF)
DER ROSENKAVALIER | Strauss, Wiener Staatsoper 1955, (BMG)
RUSALKA | Dvorák, Wiener Staatsoper 1987, (ORFEO)
SALOME | Strauss, Wiener Staatsoper 1972, (BMG)
IX. SYMPHONIE | Beethoven, Wiener Staatsoper 1955, (ORFEO)
TANNHÄUSER | Wagner, Wiener Staatsoper 1963, (DGG)
LA TRAVIATA | Verdi, Wiener Staatsoper 1971, (ORFEO)
TRISTAN UND ISOLDE | Wagner, Wiener Staatsoper 2003, (DGG)
IL TRITTICO | Puccini, Wiener Staatsoper 1979, (ORFEO)
IL TROVATORE | Verdi, Wiener Staatsoper 1978, (BMG)
TURANDOT | Puccini, Wiener Staatsoper 1961, (ORFEO)
DIE VERKAUFTE BRAUT | Smetana, Wiener Staatsoper 1960, (ORFEO)
DER WILDSCHÜTZ | Lortzing, Wiener Staatsoper 1960, (ORFEO)
WOZZECK | Berg, Wiener Staatsoper 1955, (ANDANTE)
WOZZECK | Berg, Wiener Staatsoper 1988, (DG)
Weiters sind Portrait-CDs folgender Künstler und Künstlerinnen erhältlich:
Walter Berry, Johan Botha, Lisa Della Casa, Anton Dermota, Plácido Domingo, Mirella Freni, Ferruccio Furlanetto, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Edita Gruberova, Gundula Janowitz, Sena Jurinac, Waldemar Kmentt, Christa Ludwig, Leonie Rysanek, Nina Stemme, Julia Varady – (ORFEO)
WE KEEP ON PLAYING: ONLINE!
NEWS | 25.05.2020
Experience great opera and ballet at home – worldwide and for free!
Like almost all major opera houses and concert halls the world around, Vienna State Opera had to cancel all performances up to June 30th, 2020.
In this difficult situation, Vienna State Opera is now opening its livestream archives, so that music lovers all over the world will still be able to enjoy opera and ballet. Starting on Sunday, 15 March 2020, Wiener Staatsoper will broadcast recordings of previous opera and ballet performances daily via its streaming platform www.staatsoperlive.com – worldwide and free of charge. This online programme will even follow the originally planned schedule at the house, with a few exceptions only. Streams start at 7 p.m., 6 p.m. (Die Frau ohne Schatten, Der Rosenkavalier) or 5 p.m. CET respectively (Ariodante, Parsifal) and remain available for 24 hours.
At your home, enjoy top-class performances with renowned singers and great conductors in different casts.
https://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/en/staatsoper/media/detail/news/we-keep-on-playing-online/
After registration at www.staatsoperlive.com the subscription can be booked free of charge until further notice. Subscribers of www.staatsoperlive.com or customers who have already bought single tickets for the livestreams planned for the time of the closure will be contacted directly. Contact for all questions regarding this offer: help@staatsoperlive.com
These Streams are dedicated to you from the general sponsors of the Wiener Staatsoper Lexus and OMV.
THE VIENNA OPERA BALL
https://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/en/staatsoper/vienna-opera-ball/
Once a year, Wiener Staatsoper turns into the world’s most beautiful and elegant ball room for the Vienna Opera Ball: a glamorous gala of unique splendour and allure, the ball of all balls, much-copied around the world.
Where opera and ballet performances capture the audience only a few days before and after the Opera Ball, some 5000 visitors party away and dance into the small hours of the morning – international celebrities from the world of culture, business, politics, academia and sports make the ball a high-key social event.
Opera and ballet stars, the orchestra of Wiener Staatsoper and the Vienna State Ballet all contribute to the glamorous opening, and many millions of spectators will be watching on their screens how the 150 young couples forming the young ladies and young men’s committee make their dream come true and dance the first polonaise on this unique ballroom floor. After that, it’s Alles Walzer or »Let the waltz begin!«
Music and dance all over the opera building, sumptious floral decorations, ladies in elaborate gowns, gentlemen in elegant tailcoats, celebrating with friends, and unexpected encounters make the Vienna Opera Ball an unforgettable event each year!
Der Wiener Opernball | Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SgByj4yG5c&feature=emb_title
Einmal im Jahr verwandelt sich die Wiener Staatsoper in den schönsten und
elegantesten Ballsaal der Welt: für den Wiener Opernball, ein rauschendes Fest, einmalig in Glanz und Strahlkraft, Vorbild für Bälle auf der ganzen Welt.
Der Wiener Opernball im Zeitraffer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwYL3-aY518&feature=emb_title
Wiener Opern Ball 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgGDMgUbU20
Bal w Operze Wiedeńskiej 2020
Piotr Beczała Aida Garifullina
HISTORY OF THE VIENNA OPERA BALL
https://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/en/staatsoper/vienna-opera-ball/history/#c4800
The first ball festivities may not have been at the Royal and Imperial Court Opera Theater next to the Kärntner gate. Legend has it that the artists that worked on this stage organized a celebration in honor of the Vienna Congress (1814 – 1815).
Various balls, in both small and large establishments, were held in the Imperial City on the Danube in the 1820’s and 1830’s. The artists, however, wanted a more intimate context for their celebrations. They found the ideal solution in the »Redoutensäle«, the refined yet cozy ballrooms of the Hofburg Imperial Palace.
There was a time in Vienna when the Viennese people were not in the mood for dancing: after the bloody and inglorious exit of the 1848 revolution. It was a number of years before the joy of life again reached its previous intensity, and the balls and celebrations in the »Viennese style« were again made possible.
In the year 1862, the famous Theater an der Wien was again given the highest honor – to be allowed to organize the Ball festivities. At that time it naturally modeled its spectacular events after the extravagant Paris Opera Ball.
When, in the year 1869, the staff of the Royal and Imperial Court Opera could finally move into their magnificent new home on the ring, Emperor Franz Joseph I refused permission to hold dance celebrations in his theater. Therefore, the first ball was called the »Ball in the Hofoper« and was not held in the opera house on the ring, but instead in the equally new and impressive building of the »Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien«.
In 1877, the Emperor finally gave his consent to a »soiree« in his opera house. However, dancing was not officially allowed at this celebration on the night of the 11th to 12th of December. However, the Vienna Tourist Journal stated the following day: »…it was initially quite difficult, but Viennese blood and Viennese courage withstood... after midnight there was the first proper dance in the ballroom of our opera house.«
After the fall of the Empire in 1918, it took a surprisingly short time for the young republic to remember the imperial celebrations in the opera house. On January 21, 1921, the Republic of Austria held the first »Opernredoute«, the predecessor to the official Ball. In January 1935, the event was designated for the first time, the »Vienna Opera Ball« – a magical name, whose effect did not fail in the pale light of the thirties.
In 1939, on the eve of the Second World War, by order of the »Reichsregierung« of German occupied Austria, last Opera Ball was held. After the reestablishment of the Republic of Austria in 1945, and after overcoming of the first years of adversity in a war-torn Vienna, the grand reopening of the Opera House was celebrated in November 1955.
On February 9, 1956, for the first time in the second republic, the beautiful opera house was transformed into the brilliant opera ballroom.
GALLERY: THE VIENNA OPERA BALL IN THE 1970S