Is this Opera?

The Staatsoper or Viennese Opera House was on our hit list from the word go, but it is not easy to get into. I checked the performances over the period we were there and we had the choice of one of Wagner’s ring cycle (all 5 hours worth?!) or ‘Einfuhrungsmatinee zur Premier von DIE VERKAUFTE BRAUT’, on the Sunday Morning between 11&1pm. After a bit of research, I gathered that this was a pre performance of The Bartered Bride by Smetana, so no contest then. We booked a couple of tickets and headed off with no real idea what we were letting ourselves in for, apart from the fact we knew whatever it was would be in German. Well, no surprise there, and we knew we would enjoy the music whatever the language. It was going to be a great experience to attend this world famous Opera House. The building on the outside is partly covered as it is undergoing renovations and gives one no real idea of the incredible interior. It is quite breathtaking, which shouldn’t be a surprise bearing in mind the rest of Vienna. The photos will give you an idea. Interestingly, the auditorium itself was not quite as grand as I had expected, but still pretty special and to our surprise I had booked seats in a box! This was not apparent from the seating plan. The box was clothed in red velvet, had 7 seats and its own anteroom, for hanging coats etc. There were three very charming Austrian ladies on the front row, two empty chairs on the second row and then us on the 3rd, raised on a ledge. Early on it became apparent that this was an introduction to the coming Opera mainly in word, with not that much in the way of music - uh oh! The compère spoke very well with no notes and was clearly very amusing from the audience reaction, although of course the jokes were lost on us. We hope we smiled in all the right places and were introduced to the conductor, director, who told us all about their role in the production and finally, the producer, who once wound up, went on at length with great enthusiasm! The highlight for us was when Peter dropped his water bottle with a great clatter and had to grovel about on the floor to retrieve it. The ladies were very understanding. Music finally arrived in the shape of some of the artists involved in the production. They were excellent as you might expect, accompanied by a maestro on the piano. They sang a little from The Bartered Bride, but then to our confusion gave us a touch of Wagner, Dvorak and Donizetti. All lovely and I’m sure the reasoning was perfectly explained if you understood German. As we said earlier, an experience, and we were glad to have make it inside the Opera House.
After that, there was only one place to go, Cafe Sacher round the corner for yet more coffee and cake. Can you really have too much?

We head home tomorrow, albeit with a flight change and possible delay. (thank you BA, there’s always a down side!) It has been a fascinating week and we have enjoyed renewing our acquaintance with Austria. The places we have visited have been captivating and the train travel has worked well. A trip we can thoroughly recommend.Read more