Staatsoper
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As the first of the grand buildings on the Ringstrasse, construction of the Neo-Renaissance State Opera House began in 1861 under the architects Eduard van der Nüll and August von Siccardsburg, and opened in May 1869 with Mozart’s Don Giovanni. However, the new opera house did not appeal to Emperor Franz Joseph, who referred to it as a “railway station”, leading van der Nüll to commit suicide. In 1945 the Staatsoper was hit by World War II bombs and almost entirely destroyed. Fitted with new technology, it reopened in 1955 – a sign that Austria had regained sovereignty from the departing occupying forces.
For more music venues in Vienna See pp60–61 The Vienna State Opera House has seating for 2,880 people. Tickets go on sale one week before the performance.
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1. Exterior
1. ExteriorSeen from the Ringstrasse, the majestic stone building is dominated by the original loggia, which survived World War II.
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2. Bronze Statues
The bronze statues, placed in the five arches of the loggia, are a creation of Ernst Julius Hähnel (1876) and are allegories of heroism, drama, fantasy, comedy and love, as seen from left to right.
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3. Fountains
The two fountains on each side of the opera house were created by Josef Gasser (1817– 68). They represent two worlds: music, dance and joy on the left, and the siren Lorelei supported by sorrow, love and vengeance on the right.
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4. Grand Staircase
The magnificent marble staircase, decorated with frescoes, mirrors and chandeliers, leads to the auditorium. Placed in the arches are more statues by Josef Gasser, illustrating the seven liberal arts: architecture, sculpture, poetry, dance, art, music and drama.
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5. Reliefs of Opera and Ballet
Created by Johann Preleuthner, two reliefs show the two genres performed in the house: opera and ballet.
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6. Schwind Foyer
In the superb Schwind Foyer are 16 oil paintings by Moritz von Schwind representing some famous operas, including Beethoven’s Fidelio and Rossini’s The Barber of Seville . A bust of the composers is placed underneath each illustration.
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7. Gustav Mahler Bust
7. Gustav Mahler BustThe bronze bust of the composer Gustav Mahler, who was the director of the Vienna Court Opera for 10 years from 1897 to 1907, was created by French sculptor Auguste Rodin in 1909. Mahler’s bust is placed in the Schwind Foyer, along with other busts of “conducting directors” who have all worked at the Vienna State Opera House.
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8. Tea Salon
The most splendid room in the house is the Tea Salon. The centre-piece is a fireplace flanked by pillars and mirrors.
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9. Auditorium
The auditorium was rebuilt after World War II, but the basic 1869 design with three box circles and two open circles was maintained.
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10. Tapestries
Nine tapestries in the Gustav Mahler Hall, designed by Rudolf Eisenmenger, show scenes from Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute .
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