Book an Opera in Prague. Do it here or there?
 

Don Giovanni, which we have always wanted to see is playing in Prague's Estates Theatre when we will be there. Fodorites, from your experience would you wait until you are there to book this or buy the tickets now?

When are you going, Mike? I have seen that production 3 times, and have always acquired the ticket on the day of the show, or the day before. Unless you are going during an unusually busy time period, you should be fine. Even I was able to secure a ticket during the height of the summer season, and Easter, as well.

The biggest problem might be that the seats left over on the day of the show will be upper balcony, obstructed view. Which means you'll be twisting your neck the whole time. If you have a choice, pick a seat in the center. Also, the real highlight is the actual theater, and not the show. The production (especially in the summer) can vary in quality. During the main season, there are some different players, and a different cast.

We were there last August, and were able to get tickets for a Saturday night performance the same day. We sat in one of the balcony boxes on the side, which was kind of fun, but we did have to lean forward and sideways to see the whole stage - fortunately, there is a wide, padded railing to lean on. If you know which performance you want to see you might get better seats buying them ahead of time, but if you want to stay flexible, you will probably be able to get them when you are there.

We really enjoyed the opera - beautiful sets and costumes, great singers -but, as amp322 mentioned, the theater itself is stunning, and it's worth going just to see that. We thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

I haven't been yet (going in march) but one of my guidebooks did reference the point that it's played often and that quality varies...by the way, we're watching Amadeus in preparation.

I'm just weighing in to say I AM TOTALLY JEALOUS if you get to go to that.

They do have Don Giovanni on in Prague almost all the time, for some reason. Carmen is playing there a lot, also.

Can you get them online? If so, why not? Especially if the seat selection might be better than waiting until you get there.

Hi, mike,

why would you not book online before you go?

Having endured a restricted view on a recent trip to the opera in madrid, there's no way I'd do that again.

regards, ann

Hello Mike:

I work through the Concierge of the hotel in which I am staying. They have good contacts and you will know in advance about the quality of your seats. Gradyghost

I saw Don Giovanni at the Estates Theater a couple of weeks ago. I waited until the day of the performance and I had to walk all over Prague looking for a ticket. I had to pay extra from a ticket broker. BUY YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE. Everybody wants to see Don Giovanni at the Estates Theater. Prague is a big classical music town and some of the big shows sell out really quickly. I did get shut out of Carmen at the State Opera House.

To Christina...I think it's because Mozart wrote Don Giovanni in Prague and it was first shown there and his work always enjoyed a much more appreciative audience in Prague than in Vienna.

I visited the Prague opera website and ordered tickets with payment by credit card. Seats for productions in May are just now going on public sale.

I found the web site #$#$% hard to use.

I finally found the seats and bought them via credit card with a fee for delivery to my hotel. (Cheaper than Will Call.)

I will say this: To buy early you have to use the official booking agency and right now I was given a choice from among the best seats in the house.

I got my seats, but mainly because I decided that if I am going all the way to Prague to see an opera, I am going to spend an extra $10 - $15 or so per ticket and sit in the choice seats.

In my senior years, I have decided that I will sit better than I did as a student or as a guy raising a family. As my friend Stanley used to say: What good is money unless you spend it?

I am sure if you wait, you can get cheaper tickets than what I got.
It just depends on where you feel you need or want to sit.

But be prepared to fight the monster when you dial into the Prague opera web site. Perhaps there is an alternative way to get tickets, like calling them. Written English was no barrier to communication.

Bob what rows did you manage to book? What rows would be the best? I'm looking at the Opera website and it looks like rows 1-3 and 4-12 are available. Are these the good seats?

hi mike,

my recollection from 3-4 years ago is that you are better off a little way back - rows 6 -12 say.

the ones at the front were rather close to the stage and orchestra pit but there is quite a good rake on the rows. one thing to watch is that the seat numbers are the same on the left and right hand sides of the theatre. numerous people including us sat on the wrong side and had to move.

if you end up with seats in a box, you want the front row - back row seat occupants have to look through/round the occupants of the front seats.

what are you going to see?

regards, ann

Definitely rows 8-12 and in the middle of them. Boxes are IMO not the best choice. I had one, in the first row for god's sake but it still was weird - too far from the stage and inconvenient stools.

I do not actually have the tickets I just learned, but I have an assurance. The seats were supposed to be in the front row of the first balcony in both opera houses.

I have never been in the place, so I don't really know how good the various seats are. From the diagram of the seats in the house that I looked at, the seating area should have no bad seats.

The boxes looked like they were along the side, which usually means that the main flow of the sound is not at your. The center parterre should be right in the middle of the house. I prefer being up a little so I can see.

At the Met, however, being up also means being back!!

I would read what Ingo has to say; he has been there. I haven't.

Great information. Thanks everyone for your input!

I actually bought tickets for Carmen from Bohemia Tickets. If you buy them on this site, you can print your own tickets.

I just tried the National Theater website and was totally confused. Very difficult to know what you are getting. I wanted to see either an opera or ballet April 21 to 25 but think I will wait until arrival.

Betsym, try bohemiatickets.com. You may find what you want sold out when you get there. Bohemia lets you see what seat are available and you can print your e ticket out at home.