Musical Prague? Advice welcome
 

For a fall visit to Prague, I've learned my first night coincides with a performance of 'Swan Lake' at the Nat'l Theater. That's a must for me, and I'd like a good seat. On my 2nd night, there's an opera which I don't care about that is being performed in the old Estates Theater which I very much want to see--and I'm told there are no tours. For this one, I'd like the cheapest seat available, just want to see the interior of this 18th cent.theater and probably leave at intermission. <BR> <BR>My question: How should I get tickets: pay twice the going rate for advance tickets on the Internet and hope they're delivered to my hotel as promised? Or wait 'til I get to Prague and hope tickets are available? (Does anybody know if most choice operas/ballets are sold out by curtain time?) <BR> <BR>Advice from previous Prague visitors welcome.

I used www.ticketpro.cz and everything went smoothly. Their commission was not excessive and my tickets (ballet and opera) were waiting for me at their office in Prague(center of the city). If you check their website, you can see what tickets are available for which event.

Hi, <BR>Just back from Prague (June 19-23). There are at least 8 nightly concerts/operas daily to choose from and finding tickets is the least of your problems. I purchased best tickets in the house for the National Theater on the day of the performance for about $25.00 each. Just pass by the Theater during the day or have the hotel concierge get them for you. They will take your name and when you get there you will find your seat with your name on it. Dress any way you want. I wore a suit and a tie and I sat in the 5th row next to a guy in shorts and sneakers! Enjoy!!!

Take Leslie's advice regarding advance purchase; in January I had trouble getting tickets to Aida at the National Theatre. As for dress, I think "Sunday Best" is far more in keeping with the atmosphere, as well as your fellow attendees, than something less.

Hi Logan, <BR>I visited Prague last October for a fortnight. Prior to that, I ordered tickets thru Bohemia Ticket International for "The magic flute" at the State Opera and "Don Giovanni" at the Estates Theater. I liked much more the performance and the singers at the Estates Theatre. <BR>I picked up the tickets at their office in Na Prikope without problem. Afterwards, we also bought tickets (quite good and cheap) for "Aida" at the State Opera. <BR>You don´t say which opera will be played at the Estates (maybe "Cosi fan tutte"), but I wouldn´t leave at the interval. You can have a glass of champagne in the lobby, and the singing level in this theatre is quite good. <BR>I think that you wouldn´t have a problem buying your tickets at one of the agencies, specially if it´s not a Saturday. <BR>Enjoy Prague

Thanks to each of you for the info and advice. I'll order my ticket to 'Swan Lake' in advance and take my chances on the other when I get there. And yes, cova, it's Cosi fan Tutte. How'd you ever guess? Not one of my 100 favorite operas, and I know only about 25. Am really looking forward to seeing these theaters on my first trip to Praha. <BR>--Logan

Hi Logan. <BR>The two options I thought of were "Cosi fan tutte" and "Don Giovanni". Last year we saw "Don Giovanni", and it was great. Probably a too modern production (cars and mobile phones on stage), but I liked it much more than the "Aida" at the State Opera. And knowing that it opened right there was a bonus. <BR>The theater is lovely, small and cosy, decorated in blue. I missed not having taken any picture of the interior, but that gives me a reason to come back. <BR>

Two questions in response: Cova, do you have email or web address for Bohemia Ticket Int'l? <BR> <BR>And for Leslie: I tried www.ticketpro.cz, but even after hitting "English," much of the crucial info was in Czech, so I didn't get anywhere.