I am visiting all three of these cities in September/October of this year and would like to attend a few classical music or opera performances.
Which venues between these cities should I prioritize for their historic grandeur and acoustics?
They all seem to have shows I would be interested in during nmy visits.
Thanks
Budapest
No 1 Hungarian State Opera https://www.opera.hu/en/
No 2 Liszt Ferenc Academy (Grand Hall) https://uni.lisztacademy.hu/programmes
No 3 Budapest Operett Theater https://operett.hu/en.
This is in response to your question, but it overlooks all the special performances and jazz and klezmer and church concerts. One other, modern, but a wonderful facility, is the Hungarian House of Music https://zenehaza.hu/en/house-of-music-hungary
I've only been to one performance in Prague, it was quite a few years ago. A ballet. The audience was all tourist. But it might have just been the night.
Vienna gets some of the best Tallent in Europe and as such attracts conisuers from all over and charges accordingly.
Budapest sells a lot of season tickets and that helps to keep the local participation up, also means they sell out fast. The Liszt Academy isn't on the tourist radar so that's a local experience. Sometimes amazing performances.
I have been to the Opera in Budapest--Otello, excellent and very affordable seat on the main floor, brought a dress and heels and fit right in with the locals. I have also taken a separate tour of the building--very much worth getting inside of it, whether by tour or performance.
The Operettszinhaz is more delightful, to me; beautiful little jewel box of a theatre--I have seen 3 charming musical comedies there and always check to see what's on when I have visited. You haven't seen audience appreciation until you've sat through 10 minutes of continuous applause--Hungarians really know how to clap!
In Prague I was thrilled to take in Don Giovanni at the Estates Theatre--the last remaining theatre that Mozart conducted his works in.
There are several opera venues in Prague. We attended Tosca at the Státní Opera Praha, and I've never heard an opera company with better voices. Exceptional. Pricing for opera and classical performances in Prague is extremely reasonable (read: dirt cheap). The Státní Opera is a magnificent venue. At least in July and August, there is always a broad array of performances, and you should have a great selection even in September; looks like things wind down in early October. The main box office at the National Theater is very helpful.
Actually, the first live opera I ever attended was in 1985 in Vienna, for the Pagliacci and Cavalleria Rusticana double bill that is so common. Our travel agent procured first-row center seats, so we could look down into the orchestra pit. Incredible. We could never afford such an experience today. Obviously the Vienna Opera House is one of the world's finest.
I've enjoyed performances in the the venues with "historic grandeur" in all these cities, but I also enjoy attending student recitals/concerts at the music conservatories.
The Estates Theatre in Prague has very good performances. It is the theater where Mozart conducted the premier of Don Giovanni. It has only about 600 seats, so you are up close.
Estates is about 700 seats/standing
Prague Opera about 1000
Hungarian Opera about 1300
Vienna State Opera about 1700
If I were a classical music / opera / ballet aficionado, it would be Vienna.
If I wanted to have an experience where there was a greater participation by the local population, I would choose Budapest.
If I wanted to see a great show in a beautiful place, it would be the Operett in Budapest (900 seats)
(yea, I am biased)
A typical US High School Auditorium 750 to 1000 seats.
