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    2The Wiener Staatsoper was built between 1861-1869 — Vienna, Austria.
    1The main staircase at the State Opera House — Vienna, Austria.The main staircase at the State Opera House — Vienna, Austria.At the State Opera House — Vienna, Austria.The auditorium at the State Opera House — Vienna, Austria.2At the State Opera House — Vienna, Austria.Our seats are above what was once the imperial box ... Wiener Staatsoper — Vienna, Austria.Swan Lake at the State Opera House — Vienna, Austria.Swan Lake at the State Opera House — Vienna, Austria.

    Vienna: Swan Lake @ the Staatsoper

    October 10, 2024 in Austria ⋅ 🌫 55 °F

    Around 6:00p, having rested our weary feet and feeling refreshed, we left the apartment for the Wiener Staatsoper [Vienna State Opera].

    Before leaving the US in September, I had checked the schedule of performances at the opera house. There was a different performance staged on each night of our time in Vienna. Some were already sold out; some only had “standing seats”; some were of no interest to us. Tonight’s ballet performance of Swan Lake, however, hit the sweet spot.

    I have tickets booked for the opera house tour later in the week, so I am not going to say much about the building itself in this footprint. And everyone knows the story of Swan Lake, or can look it up on the internet, so no need for a description of the storyline of the ballet either. Suffice to say that the Nureyev-choreographed ballet was beautifully performed … both by the dancers and the musicians.

    It was 10:15p by the time the performance was over … two intermissions adding to the overall length of the ballet. We got home around 10:45p, ready for a good night’s rest.

    Another busy day of sightseeing awaits us tomorrow.    Read more