Volksoper confusion
Feb 9th, 2005, 07:30 AM
#1
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Volksoper confusion
Okay. I am seriously confused.
Yesterday I went online to the Volksoper web site and booked 4 tickets for Madama Butterfly in May when myself and three girlfriends will be in Vienna. I got through the payment process alright, got a username and password, entered my credit card info and hit process. When I hit the button to pay, I got sent to some screen with only German writing and wasn't sure what had happened. Thankfully, a few minutes later I received an English email thanking me for my order. The catch is, this email only thanked me and gave me the amount in euros that I had paid. No mention/confirmation of my date and opera selection. Also, no mention of how I will receive these tickets. Is this how it normally works? Anyone have experience with this? What should I do? Any help would be appreciated.
Yesterday I went online to the Volksoper web site and booked 4 tickets for Madama Butterfly in May when myself and three girlfriends will be in Vienna. I got through the payment process alright, got a username and password, entered my credit card info and hit process. When I hit the button to pay, I got sent to some screen with only German writing and wasn't sure what had happened. Thankfully, a few minutes later I received an English email thanking me for my order. The catch is, this email only thanked me and gave me the amount in euros that I had paid. No mention/confirmation of my date and opera selection. Also, no mention of how I will receive these tickets. Is this how it normally works? Anyone have experience with this? What should I do? Any help would be appreciated.
Feb 9th, 2005, 09:40 AM
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I have no experience ordering tickets from the Volksoper Wien, but I would think that an e-mail to both (in case the tickets one is fully automatic) the addresses given on their Web site
[email protected]
[email protected]
would probably result in an English reply with the information you need.
[email protected]
[email protected]
would probably result in an English reply with the information you need.
Feb 9th, 2005, 01:29 PM
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They will answer in English.
I ordered via email and not the form.
I think you will get a prompt reply.
My guess is that your request was honored and you can obtain your ticket in the lobby (small lobby!!) before the performance. But ask via email to be absolutely sure.
I ordered via email and not the form.
I think you will get a prompt reply.
My guess is that your request was honored and you can obtain your ticket in the lobby (small lobby!!) before the performance. But ask via email to be absolutely sure.
Feb 9th, 2005, 08:14 PM
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Let us know how it all turns out. I have not been in Vienna in 4 years, but the last time I attended performances at the Volksoper, I negotiated my ticket purchases in English and, when I walked in the foyer, a young man addressed me in English and handed me my tickets. (I think he saw me coming and knew I had to be an American. It shows!! )
Also, at other places around the city, the Austrians seemed to pride themselves on their ability to speak several foreign languages skillfully.
At Schönbrunn Palace, the guides had on badges that advertised their linguistic competency. I was amazed at some of the combinations: German, Russian, and Turkish being one badge that caught my eye.
English was common, and combinations of German, Italian and English were often seen.
At Das Haus der Musik, I was more impressed with the English skills of the young man who explained to me how to try and conduct the Vienna Symphony Orchestra on their video gadget than I was with my conducting ability!
I just hope nothing has changed since I was there.
Even more impressive was the tour we took of the Festspielhaus in Salzburg. The tour started off in German and English with a very competent guide.
But the German speakers soon told the guide to just say it in English! No need to repeat it in German for them.
At Neuschwanstein, I was of course in the English language group. About half of the group consisted of non native speakers because they could get in quicker that way. The English queue was not full, so they joined it.
So here is hoping the trend has not reversed itself.
And you will have a good time at the opera. The Volksoper is less stuffy than the Staatsoper. The singers might not be as good in all cases, but we have heard some really good singers there.
The best one out of 4 was Die Lustige Witwe. It was an audience pleaser complete with a CanCan line interpolated into the last act! The trumpet players in the orchestra got to stand up and play during that one and they could really play. They were obviously enjoying the opportunity to show off.
Also, at other places around the city, the Austrians seemed to pride themselves on their ability to speak several foreign languages skillfully.
At Schönbrunn Palace, the guides had on badges that advertised their linguistic competency. I was amazed at some of the combinations: German, Russian, and Turkish being one badge that caught my eye.
English was common, and combinations of German, Italian and English were often seen.
At Das Haus der Musik, I was more impressed with the English skills of the young man who explained to me how to try and conduct the Vienna Symphony Orchestra on their video gadget than I was with my conducting ability!
I just hope nothing has changed since I was there.
Even more impressive was the tour we took of the Festspielhaus in Salzburg. The tour started off in German and English with a very competent guide.
But the German speakers soon told the guide to just say it in English! No need to repeat it in German for them.
At Neuschwanstein, I was of course in the English language group. About half of the group consisted of non native speakers because they could get in quicker that way. The English queue was not full, so they joined it.
So here is hoping the trend has not reversed itself.
And you will have a good time at the opera. The Volksoper is less stuffy than the Staatsoper. The singers might not be as good in all cases, but we have heard some really good singers there.
The best one out of 4 was Die Lustige Witwe. It was an audience pleaser complete with a CanCan line interpolated into the last act! The trumpet players in the orchestra got to stand up and play during that one and they could really play. They were obviously enjoying the opportunity to show off.
Feb 10th, 2005, 07:05 AM
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Well, I am now decidedly not confused! This morning the ticket office emailed me back and confirmed the date and which seats I had booked, and said I can pick them up the evening of the performance at the box office in their lobby. Such a prompt response!
Bob, thanks for all the additional information you provided. While I don't mind being surrounded by a foreign language, my German skills are virtually nonexistent and it's nice to know that I should usually be able to find someone to help me in English, as well as tours in English. We are planning a day trip from Munich earlier in our trip to go to Neuschwanstein and are looking forward to taking a tour. This is a big trip for us all, only 12 days long but it's the first time to Europe for the other three girls (this will be my third trip) and we're all super excited. I'm getting married in September and we're calling this my "stagette in Europe" because its me and 3 of my bridesmaids. The opera is one of many memorable experiences I'm sure we'll have!
Bob, thanks for all the additional information you provided. While I don't mind being surrounded by a foreign language, my German skills are virtually nonexistent and it's nice to know that I should usually be able to find someone to help me in English, as well as tours in English. We are planning a day trip from Munich earlier in our trip to go to Neuschwanstein and are looking forward to taking a tour. This is a big trip for us all, only 12 days long but it's the first time to Europe for the other three girls (this will be my third trip) and we're all super excited. I'm getting married in September and we're calling this my "stagette in Europe" because its me and 3 of my bridesmaids. The opera is one of many memorable experiences I'm sure we'll have!
Feb 10th, 2005, 11:51 AM
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since you sound young and adventurous.. i suggest you also go to the other opera.. and just get standing room (stehplatz) tickets (about 3 euros) and just see if you like the opera, or ballet that is playing, .. it is so inexpensive.. that if you DO like it.. it is really not that difficult to stand/lean/ sit/ during the whole thing.
and the nice thing.. is that if you are too tired to stay til end.. you can just leave and not feel you have spent more than a cup of coffee for some fantastic entertainment.
my favorite place in vienna.
congratulations on your wedding.
and the nice thing.. is that if you are too tired to stay til end.. you can just leave and not feel you have spent more than a cup of coffee for some fantastic entertainment.
my favorite place in vienna.
congratulations on your wedding.
