The then Hungarian Royal Opera House, in part funded by Emperor Franz Joseph, debuted its first performance on September 27th 1884, a grand and opulent affair not to be outdone by any flash props or sets. The neo-Renaissance buildings leans towards baroque in its decorative and gold favouring painting and sculptures, but their grandiose stylings don’t detract from the really important job of an opera house – acoustics. According to an architectural survey from the 1970’s the Hungarian State Opera House comes third after La Scala and the Paris Opera House.

The audience seems to rise to the occasion a bit more than they do in other houses as well – the décor suggests it’s a necessity, and in the intervals you’ll see ladies in furs sipping chilled tokays and nibbling on lavish pastries.

A second, larger house has been added which also shows works by the Hungarian National Opera and National Ballet. Despite its opulence, the main house only seats 1261.

If you can’t afford to see a show there are guided tours daily, but ticket prices are some of the most reasonable in Europe. You do need to read the story of libretto before the show though, you won’t be supplied with English surtitles.

Official Hungarian State Opera House Website.

Written by  World Reviewer Staff.

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Part of the movie EVITA was filmed in the Opera House.

 

Comment posted 11th September 2009 by Agnes.

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