Vienna State Opera

Vienna State Opera (German: Wiener Staatsoper), located in Vienna, Austria, is one of the most important opera companies in Europe. Until 1920 it was named the Vienna Court Opera (Hofoper).

The opera house

The original State Opera House, a neo-romantic building severely criticised when it was built, was inaugurated on May 25, 1869 with Mozart's Don Giovanni.

Related Topics:
Neo-romantic - May 25 - 1869 - Don Giovanni

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During World War II, the stage was destroyed by Allied bombs and the building gutted by fire on March 12, 1945. The foyer, with frescoes by Moritz von Schwind, the main stairways, the vestibule and the tea room were spared. Almost the entire décor and props for more than 120 operas with around 150,000 costumes were destroyed. The State Opera was temporarily housed at the Theater an der Wien and at the Volksoper.

Related Topics:
March 12 - 1945 - Foyer - Fresco - Moritz von Schwind - Theater an der Wien

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The rebuilt theatre, seating more than 2200, reopened on November 5, 1955 with Beethoven's Fidelio with Karl Böhm conducting.

Related Topics:
November 5 - 1955 - Beethoven - Fidelio

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For many decades, the opera house has been the venue of the Vienna Opera Ball.

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