What's a person to do when they can't see an opera at the world famous opera house in Vienna? They take a tour of the opera house. Benjamin and I did just that, because the opera season runs September through June, and it's still August. Tours are offered in multiple languages and give you some behind-the-scenes views, and what I consider front stage views. Case in point. Here you see our group in one of the better box seats in the house.
And here you see the rest of the opera auditorium. When I first saw it, I thought it looked very 1950s. Nothing like the lobby, which is all 19th century Renaissance style (the house was completed in 1869). But in the waning days of WWII, the opera was bombed, and the auditorium had to be rebuilt (in part with funds from the Marshall Plan). And so they did a midcentury modern style, with goldleaf. I'm not a fan, but so be it.
Contrast this with the lobby, pictured above. We also were led through the various intermission lounges, which were either elaborate 19th century masterpieces or 1952 modern art. The opera operates every day of the season, except for Christmas and the Opera Ball, For the Ball, all seats are removed and a dance hall assembled. Debutantes dance the waltz, and ballerinas entertain the crowds. And a box seat at the event is only 25,000 Euros.
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