Dress rehearsal at the opera

When you say "concert", do you mean a regular opera performance at the Hungarian State Opera? Or saomething elsewhere?

It is a concert with the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra. Unfortunately, no opera while we are there.

I am not going to be much help for you because its going to be supposition: and that is that the rehearsal is free. The concert, and yes, they do concerts in the opera house from time to time and they can be quite good, is probably the better choice if you want a special night.

If you are into music in a big way and if you want something that will be very “Hungarian” in that the performance is really for the locals then https://zenehaza.hu/en/occasion/matyas-antal-jozsef-balog-gabor-boldoczki-and-the-franz-liszt-chamber-orchestra

Or if you are really into music and it doesn’t have to be Hungarian. Watch the video. https://zenehaza.hu/en/occasion/marta-pereira-da-costa-por

September 27th, this is always good and a way to mix and mingle with the locals in a nice atmosphere (see you there) Wine Lovers Top 100 Wine tasting event at the Corninthia Hotel https://wineloversrendezvenyek.hu

Most dress rehearsals are by invitation: donors, local schools, music academy students and professors, guests of the performers or opera house administrators….
If you find tickets for sale, please let us know.

I tried a novel approach, I wrote them. In the past they have been good about responding to questions. And if i get by in the next few days, maybe i stop in and ask. Things here are still very approachable.

I would be very surprised if they allowed you in to a dress rehearsal. I worked in theatre (including opera) for years and dress rehearsals can be very chaotic with lots of stops and starts and do-overs and so on. And I have never heard of any opera opening it up to tourists.

If it was a preview performance, that might be allowed as these are designed to have audiences with the understanding that there is not the cohesiveness of a full performance. But a dress rehearsal is different. I would imagine it is listed as just being something that is happening at that venue on that date, but that doesn't necessarily mean it is open to the public.

Have you thought about going to one of the guided tours there? They offer them and in most cases, you will get to see a short performance of some operatic selections by some of the performers.

ETA: I looked at one of your other posts and it appears you are talking about Opera141, a "festive gala concert" on Friday, September 26. If so, I agree that it is a rehearsal and has no options for tickets there, which I would imagine means it is closed to the public. I would suggest getting your tickets for the concert on Saturday night. The selection of music looks great!

Thank you all for the thoughtful replies! Yes Mardee, the concert is on Sept. 27, Opera 141, and it does look like a good concert.

Thank you Mr. E. for trying to find a solution for us. The other concert you mentioned is on Friday night at the House of Music and also looks like it would be great. As for the wine tasting, that would be right up our alley but is also on the 27th. A question for you though.... the photos show people are very dressed up for the wine event. Is that the case?

We will probably just buy the Saturday night tickets, but I will report back if we hear anything about the dress rehearsal.

abqdeb, I am going to say something then someone else will chime in and there will be a debate.

You were smart to look at the photos at the wine event. Let me say that if you are planning on going to the Opera House for an evening performance then you have the clothing you need for the wine (which is a little more relaxed to be honest). The wine event begins at 2pm so both are possible. But most important that you enjoy and have a fun visit so what ever works best for you. These guys look comfortable: https://wineloversrendezvenyek.hu/winelovers-100/galeria-mappa/2023/galeria-2023-7.jpg This is Europe and Europeans do dress a little more fashionably then do Americans; especially for events and ocassions like this.

I never get involved in womens clothing discussions so I will speak to men (who after all are wearing what their woman made them wear). The overwhelming majority of the Hungarian men who will be in attendance at the Opera will be wearing at least a tie and more commonly, especially that time of year, a sports coat or a suit. Here are some photos and a pretty unofficial suggestion of the dress code for the Opera House and the official word on the matter.

• https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/budapest-opera-house-interior-hungarian-state-people-waiting-just-performance-hungary-52569821.jpg
• https://media02.stockfood.com/largepreviews/MjIwMjMyODA3MQ==/71042841-State-Opera-House-Magyar-Allami-Operahaz-with-Budapest-Philharmonic-Orchestra-Budapest-Central-Hungary-Hungary.jpg

And I found this, but these guys are not the representatives of the Opera so it is a social advisory more than a code. Still, I like it: https://alle.travel/en/budapest/pages/budapest-opera-house-dress-code

The Opera House's official statement on the matter is:

"There is no official dress code at the Hungarian State Opera, but many of our guests take the opportunity to dress elegantly for their visit to the opera out of respect for the theatre and other audience members."

I'm seeing Turandot at the opera when I'm there, but I won't have the space to bring a formal dress (and for that matter, don't own one). However, I will certainly not be slovenly and will dress as nice as I can with the clothes I brought with me.

I might add some jewelry and a scarf, which I rarely do, but that should dress me up a bit. :-)

I never get involved in womens clothing discussions .....

quoted from above

Ha ha! Probably a wise decision. I actually wasn't really responding to anything you said, though, so no worries! It was more of a reminder to me to add jewelry to my packing list, as I don't think it's there now. ;-)

One trip to Budapest I attended Otello at the Opera House and a musical at the Operettszinhaz, and decided that 2 theatre experiences merited packing a dress, tights and heeled shoes plus a small clutch purse (couldn't bring myself to use my big travel purse!)...added just about 3 lbs to my suitcase and while of course it wasn't absolutely necessary, I felt much more proper when dressed up.

...I won't have the space to bring a formal dress...

In the past 15 months I've attended operas in Warsaw, Budapest and Vienna, and in all cases went with basic black - specifically black jeans, which are a basic component of my travel wardrobe. Many of the affluent younger people were obviously in high-end designer black, but young people with less money went for a more casual look. Then there is always an artistic, Bohemian element. So basically anything within reason goes - perhaps more so the higher up you sit in the house. Opening night or a benefit might be occasions where more formal dress would be expected.

add jewelry to my packing list

Mardee, I feel like you could probably pick something up in the country you are visiting before Budapest. Ha!

I don’t own “fancy” but I love attending performances wherever I am and sometimes I don’t know ahead of time that I will (thinking about two nice concerts in the Baltics last year). I just take a dress (and tights depending on weather) as part of my packing process. If I don’t find something while there (which is rare), then I wear it to dinner somewhere.

I almost always find something at the opera house ahead of time (Carmina Burana last visit and Romeo and Juliet ballet this year) - tickets are hard to come by last minute. I have bought a box twice but otherwise sit on the floor level. Most older ladies I see now are in their “Sunday best”. Sometimes that is a pantsuit instead of a dress, but you can tell it’s their “nice” clothes. Younger women and girls are usually in a dress, also dressed up - but not usually gala type dresses (but sometimes I see that). I rarely see jeans but am not on the upper levels of standing room. Once, I wound up in Budapest unplanned and wanted something better than what I had for the Opus Jazz Club, so I went second hand shopping. That was actually fun.

I'm right there with you, Mardee! I'll be in the black pants, but will add a scarf or jacket, etc. We are carry on only people and Budapest is part of a longer journey so no fancy clothes for me! Maybe we should think about sitting in the balcony? We went to La Scala and sat in the balcony and I was very disappointed when they made the 'balcony people' enter through a side door and walk up a back staircase! Seriously? I certainly hope the Hungarian Opera House isn't like that.

Thanks ladies for chiming in about the dress code. I don't feel so alone now! Mr. E. ,,,, you are a wise man indeed!

Mama, don't raise no fools.

Back to the first question. If you know anyone over the age of 65 that would like to see a rehersal, that quite "possibly" could be arranged.

Mr E, my husband and I are both over 65.

You notice I neither asked nor assumed. Again, Mama didn't raise no fools.

Rehersal tickets are available for purchase at the door for students and seniors. I guessed this might be the case as it sort of flows with cultural priorities.

Here, transportation is for any senior, but museum ticket discounts are only discounted for EU seniors and students, except for the Castle Museum (maybe some others), which discounts all seniors ... So I wrote them back for clarification and price.

Back in San Antonio we use to go concert rehersal often. Usually half price tickets. Sometimes better than the main show because the performers would joke with tge audience.

Here is funny. I googled the question and one of the hits was a RS forum post from 2017. This very kind gentleman emailed the Opera and got this response:

Only those can purchase tickets, who hold a valid Hungarian Student
ID, or a Hungarian Pensionner’s ID. Ticket purchase for the rehearsals
is only possible in person at the box office, because our collegues
need to check the validity of the IDs.

Of course, that was 8 years ago so I am anxious to see if anything has changed ....... since the last time I asked them in 2017.

That's funny because we found your old post from 2017, too! Thanks for all your research. It seems we will just buy tickets for Saturday night. I don't want to spend my limited vacation time waiting in a line wondering if we will get rehearsal tickets.

christa, markcw, and TexasTravelMom, all good ideas. I especially like the idea of picking up some jewelry while traveling, although I may need some help from my traveling companions. :-)

I'm still not crazy about wearing a dress—the last time I wore one was in 2008 to my cousin's son's wedding. Seriously. And I don't usually travel with jeans. But I might look around to see what I find. Failing that, I'll probably go with my standard Eileen Fisher black ponte pants, which are very lightweight but also dressy enough. Hammm, maybe I can shop for a nice top to wear with it. I do like shopping!

abqdeb, I'm in the Zysöllye section (orchestra) in row 13. Here is something that might help you figure out the layout of the seats and how to get there (and you can be entertained by a lovely recording from Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony). https://www.opera.hu/en/about-us/building/opera/see-how-you-can-get-to-your-seat

Interesting that the policy was Hungarian only. I do not believe they can still do that. I might be mistaken, but I believe now Hungarian and EU must be treated equally in such things.

Given that change worth the ask. If I qualify I might use it.