I think it depends on what you are seeing/hearing. If Die Lustige Witwe is on at Die Volksoper, I would go in a flash.<BR>I cannot imagine a better performance than what we attended.<BR><BR>On the other hand, an opera like La Traviata may be a little more impressive at Die Staatsoper. I attended a performance of La Traviata at the Volksoper. The singers were good, very good even. At Die Staatsoper I would expect Metropolitan Opera quality or better. <BR>True, the lavish staging and the luxury of the theater puts Die Staatsoper up the ladder a ways. <BR>I think it depends on what you go for.<BR>There are some operas I detest.<BR>If Carmen, a favorite, was playing at the Volksoper, and one of my unfavorites was at the Staadtsoper, I know where I would go!!<BR><BR>After all those big opera stars were not born that way. They had to learn somewhere!<BR>