Vienna opera

Hi Laura,
I saw Rigoletto at the famous Vienna Opera House, my friend bought the tickets online before we arrived in Europe. They cost us about $200 apiece. Worth every cent! We enjoyed chatting with our seat mates and people watching as well, taking in the whole experience. Drank champagne at the intermission. Quite elegant. Rick Steves in his guidebook recommends buying standing room only seats but if you are an opera fan, and we are not aficionados, it is still worth the money.
Hope this helps - are you an opera buff? If so, definitely go online and spend the money, you will love it.
Judy B

Here is the September schedule. Opening performance on 9/4 is sold out. It will be a very formal anyway. 9/5 is Lohengrin with only 25 seats available at the most expensive level. 9/6 is Carmen and 9/7 is Turandot each with about 100 tickets left. 9/8 is Madam Butterfly with just 1 ticket left. Better buy on-line NOW.
http://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/Content.Node/home/spielplan/Spielplan.en.php?month=9&year=2016&mode=current

September is also when they have a live feed on an outdoor screen for free on specific dates: http://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/Content.Node/home/aktuelles/oper_live/liste.en.php.

If you do go to the Opera, this is not the place to pinch pennies when it comes to buying your tickets. I'll really regret not splurging for better seats.

I would recommend LOHENGRIN during that period -- great conductor and cast! If Wagner's not your thing, then either the CARMEN or BUTTERFLY, which both have very strong female singers in the leading roles.

Todd

We were at the Vienna Opera House a year ago and saw a ballet. Fantastic experience - worth splurging for box seats as my one very special evening.

We agree with the others. . . if you enjoy opera, theater, and music, be sure to spend the money to get good seats. What's unique about opera in Vienna is the "supra" titles that are actually located at your seats and you can choose the language you need, so you don't have to watch an Italian opera with German interpretation . . . you can enjoy the opera with English interpretation. Also take the time to tour the opera house during your Vienna visit. The state-sponsored opera changes performances every night, so you have a three crews . . . one that tears down the current set; one that sets up; and one that supports the show on stage . . . and you usually can see one of these crews in operation on the tour.