Opera in Vienna: urgent advice needed

Old Aug 6th, 2015, 08:20 AM
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Opera in Vienna: urgent advice needed

We will be in Vienna from 18 - 22 December 2015, and we would love to go to the Opera. For 19 December, there is a choice between the Volksoper and the State Opera. Prices seem more or less the same.
My questions:
Am I right in thinking that the State Opera has the more traditional and beautiful building?
We are on a fairly strict budget, and we are looking at tickets in the 2nd cheapest category. Can anybody tell me if this is a good idea? Once I bought cheap tickets for Swan Lake in La Scala. We were in a box where we quite literally could not see the stage. This time I have family with me, and I would love for them to enjoy the experience.
Please - I will appreciate any and all advice!
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Old Aug 6th, 2015, 08:39 AM
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The State opera house is magnificent. I have not sat in that category but I would sit in the best category you can afford and enjoy it.
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Old Aug 6th, 2015, 08:56 AM
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I think they are both traditional, being built in the 19th century (although the State Opera had to be reconstructed after WWII mostly, but same style). But the State Opera is a much more elaborate and ornate building, at least on the outside. That may be because the VOlksoper wasn't really built to be a grand opera house, and the other one was. I don't even think the inside of the State Opera is that special, though, I wouldn't go to a performance for that reason, but because of what I wanted to see.

I won't even go to the opera/ballet with cheap tickets as I think it is a waste of my money as I don't enjoy it, the visuals are so important to those art forms. I suppose not quite as much for opera, but I stil won't do it. The second worst category is, of course, not great. But I thinkn it is worse at the Staatsoper because they have more pricing tiers.

If you just want to see the building, they have tours of the Staatsoper which may be the better idea, and then go to whatever performance you prefer for other reasons.
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Old Aug 6th, 2015, 11:06 AM
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I would definitely go to the State Opera all things being equal. However, I would look at the program each is offering on the 19th and choose that way. But I would choose Grand Opera and the grand opera house if at all possible..
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Old Aug 6th, 2015, 12:31 PM
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I would look first at the program, really. I don´t know if you and your family are opera lovers or not.

On the Volksoper, you have Puccini´s La Boheme, and at the Staatsoper your selection will be Strauss´ Der Rosenkavalier. If I was looking for a opera for beginners, I would choose the Voksoper and La Boheme.

The Volksoper is not so grand, but it has good singers, I don´t think it is a second rate theatre.

Rgds, Cova
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Old Aug 10th, 2015, 06:41 PM
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kovsie,

I agree with Cova....I believe the better choice for a 1st opera is La Boheme. It's one of the most popular operas, and with good reason. A truly great way to get introduced to opera. The Volksoper is excellent.

And if you feel you must see the Staatsoper building itself, you can go on the tour during the day. There are so many other fantastic buildings to see in Vienna, you will not have missed anything if you miss the Staatsoper.

Have a wonderful time in Vienna...it's a great city.

LisaG
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Old Aug 10th, 2015, 08:19 PM
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Volksoper is a good alternative. The orchestra was fantastic, the opera singers were world class, and the acoustics were just amazing.The prices are more reasonable than the State Opera, and the theatre is small enough so that you will have a fairly good view even if you're up in the gallery.
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