The Wiener Staatsoper, or Vienna State Opera House, was the first building of those planned along the Ring to be completed, in 1869.
Although today it is one of the most famous opera houses in the world, it was not well received initially by the Viennese, who, even during its construction, criticized its complete lack of style, with the coup de grâce coming from the Emperor Franz Joseph, who likened it to a "railway station"! Perhaps precisely because of the fierce criticism, its two main architects, Eduard van der Nüll and August Sicard von Sicadsburg, died before the construction was completed.
Who could have imagined that, after its official opening with Mozart's Don Giovanni, the Wiener Staatsoper's beleaguered figure would rise to international prominence with its prestigious opera programming!
The theater was, however, largely rebuilt after it fell victim to an aerial bombardment during World War II. The only elements that survived were the front façade, which had been bricked up for safety, the main staircase, and the foyer frescoed by Moritz von Schwind: everything else literally went up in smoke...
Restoration work began soon after the end of the war, and in 1955, the theater was inaugurated once more with Beethoven's Fidelio, an opera that also celebrated Austria's independence, proclaimed a few months earlier.
The Wiener Staatsoper has recently adapted to the times, by installing the latest technology, including display screens with information videos and subtitles, for all the seats. What remains unchanged are the rules of classical elegance that are maintained among the respectable audiences!
An interesting fact: As well as being close friends, the two architects Eduard van der Nüll and August Sicard von Sicardsburg collaborated throughout their lives on various works. However, their most important occasion, the Court Opera, which was supposed to be the definitive recognition of their talents, generated a fierce press campaign against their work. Eduard van der Nüll hanged himself in 1868, and his friend died only 10 weeks later.
Language: English