We will be taking a Christmas Markets River Cruise from Budapest to Passau Dec 1-8. Has anyone ever attended the Nutcracker at the Hungarian Opera House. If so, what was your experience like and what did you wear. Also did you choose Section 1, 2, or 3 tickets. Section 1 is the first 10 rows on the orchestra level and the first row of the balcony. Which would you choose based on your experience. Finally do you know if the opera house is in walking distance from where the River Cruise ships dock or should I plan on a taxi.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17868 posts
Worldinbetween hit the nail on the head. We generally get a box seat on the second level. There is a name for those boxes but it escapes me right now. The advantage is that they corridor leads straight to that great bar that flows out onto the balcony that looks over Andrassy ut. Intermission is always as interesting as the show its self. I agree with her comments on dress too and add that more expensive the seats the better you should dress to be sure to fit in.
The opera house in Budapest is still very much a venue for the local population unlike a lot of the major theaters in other central European cities so you will see a good show and if you spend a little extra on the seats (tourists a lot of the cheap seats), then you get a pretty decent cultural experience as well.
Christmas is a great time to be in Budapest Have a blast.
Posted by
OP
29 posts
Thank you for your responses. I ordered tickets in section 1 and we are excited about this once in a lifetime experience.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17868 posts
Have a blast. I love the theater in Budapest
Posted by
oklahoma
1018 posts
I can't give you an option because I have not been there yet!. Glad I saw your post, I am also going on a Christmas Market cruise Nov 30 thru Dec 10, (Nuremburg to Budapest) I think we have two days in Prague (before cruise) and Budapest (after cruise). I look forward to visiting both these fascinating cities.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4140 posts
We were in Budapest in the Autumn of 2013 ( Hello , James ! ) and saw " Giselle " at the Hungarian State Opera . It was MAGNIFICENT ! All aspects of the production were first rate ( music , staging , technical prowess and artistic interpretation ) I can only imagine what their " Nutcracker " will be like . We wish we could be there !!
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17868 posts
Steven, it was a pleasure to meet you and your wife. If you do decide to return you do know that I know of a place that would love to put you up for a few nights at no cost.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4140 posts
James , the feeling was mutual . Thanks for your kind offer . Happily we don't seem to encounter the dress code censors on this thread ;-- )
Posted by
Milton, Delaware USA
138 posts
Thank you for the tip as we will be in Budapest December 9-12 (before our River Cruise) and love Christmas Markets but tickets to the Nutcracker at the Opera House are now a must do also.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17868 posts
Buy those tickets the moment they go on sale. I am going to guess that they will be on sale no later than the 1st of September. But keep a watch at https://www.jegymester.hu/eng/ Theater sells out quickly in Budapest ............ especially the better seats.
Posted by
OP
29 posts
I was able to purchase tickets through budapestopera-tickets.com for our December trip. I was able to choose the level of tickets but the actual seats won't be assigned until 3 or 4 months in advance. I purchased them in March.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
17868 posts
Let me know how that works out.