I am an avid opera fan, so I’m always on the lookout for opera houses in Europe. One of the first things I when I’m planning a trip to look to see what operas, ballets and theatre are on when I’m in town!
Although I still have a lot to visit! I’ve never been to the Paris Opera, and all performances at La Scala were fully booked when I was recently in Milan. But here are three I’ve attended operas attended recently.
The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London
Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD
Nearest Underground Station: Covent Garden
The Royal Opera House has been rebuilt several times, and the current version dating back to 1858. Almost anybody who’s anybody in the world of opera has sung here. This opera house is a mixture of modern and classic, with a bright shiny, modern area on the ground floor, with café and bar, to the rich red velvet and gold interior of the auditorium.
Of the three European opera houses I’m writing about here, this is the most community oriented one. It has many activities for anyone to join in on. Last October I attended ‘Sing at the Royal Opera House’, which is an afternoon where anyone can attend and sing opera choruses. You must book and at the cost of a mere £20, it’s well worth the experience. They hold them every month or two, depending on the time of year.
There are also a variety of behind-the-scenes tours of both the opera and ballet, afternoon teas, etc. Check out their website for more information about what’s on.
If you plan to see an opera, make sure you book in advance for reasonable seats. The cheap ones up the back are very close together; some don’t have armrests and there is very little leg room. Bear this in mind when booking a 2 plus hour opera.
On my last visit, I saw a performance of Mozart’s ‘Così fan Tutte’.
The Vienna State Opera
Weiner Staatsoper, A Opernring 2 1010, Wein
For information visit their website at: wiener-staatsoper.at
Nearest Metro Station: Karlsplatz
You can’t go past the Vienna State Opera House for sheer grandeur of architecture and ornate interior. It was built in 1869 and is one of the world’s leading opera houses. Like the Royal Opera House, all the most famous singers and conductors have performed there.
The interior and foyer are stunning to behold, with grand staircases, artwork and architecture leading up the levels to the doors.
If you are happy to stand to watch an opera, you can get very cheap standing room only tickets. However, there are benches to sit on if you get tired, so it’s not as bad as it sounds.
Tours of the opera house are available, Click here to Visit the website.
When I last attended, I saw a performance of Wagner’s ‘Tristan and Isolde’.
The Berlin State Opera
Address: Staatsoper Berlin, Unter den Linden, 10117 Berlin
Closest train stations: Friederichstraße (SBahn), or Unter den Linden (UBahn).
This opera house was built in 1743 by order of Prussian King Friedrich the Great. The building sustained serious damage during allied bombing in World War 2. It was rebuilt between 1951 and 1955.
As expected, it doesn’t have the historical features in the interior that the other two opera houses have, but the exterior has remained true to the original.
It is in the very centre of Berlin and there are plenty of other things of interest to see in the area. You can also book a bus tour that will take you to this opera house.
You can get reasonably priced tickets. I got a second-row stalls ticket for a mere €60. This price would be unheard of at other comparable opera houses in Europe.
To visit the website, click this link.
When I last visited, I saw a performance of von Weber’s ‘Der Freischuetz’.
