Tourists coming to Hungary and its capital should definitely visit the opera in Budapest (Hung. Magyar Állami Operaház), which is one of the most beautiful attractions in the city. Opera and ballet performances are regularly held here, where famous artists perform. The Hungarian Opera House is a beautiful old 19th century building that is open daily for tourists and music lovers.
History of the construction of the theater
Before the decision to build a new theater, all opera performances were held on the stage of the National Theater in turn with dramatic performances. The building of the Hungarian Opera in Budapest was erected for almost 10 years (1875-1884) with government money and with the financial support of Franz Joseph, King of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The theater project was developed by the architect M. Ible, a representative of the pseudo-historical direction of European architecture.
Before construction began, the architect wasconditions were set: to create a building that, in its luxury, was second only to the Vienna Opera and surpassed all others. All the best materials and large financial resources were involved in the construction of the theater.
Having opened its doors on September 27, 1884, it received the name of the Royal Opera House, where all the nobility of the capital gathered for performances. Many went to the opera to watch performances staged by one of the outstanding composers of the 19th century. G. Puccini.
Interesting facts
Empress Elisabeth of Austria was very fond of visiting the Royal Theater in Budapest. She even had her own box on the first floor, which was called the “Sissy Box”, because the lady was there incognito, hiding from society behind heavy curtains. And she passed here secretly along a separate Royal staircase connecting the street and the salons of the first floor.
The construction of the magnificent building of the theater was the impetus for a new era in the development of opera and ballet art in the state. In 1886, a unique event took place - the Budapest Opera Ball, the annual holding of which is still a great success, attracting the elite audience of Hungary and other countries to the event.
During the Second World War, the building was practically not damaged, and performances were resumed already in 1945. In 1950, the hall was expanded and more modern lighting was installed. In 1979, the building began to fall into disrepair, and it was decided to carry outoverhaul.
Grand opening after reconstruction took place in 1984 on the day of the 100th anniversary of the Royal Opera House in Budapest.
Building architecture
The main style of the building belongs to the neo-Renaissance, the interior uses baroque ornaments, numerous sculptures and paintings. In front of the entrance to the building are sculptures of two of Hungary's most famous composers: Franz Liszt and Franz Erkel. The latter was the first theater director and composer who wrote many choral works, piano pieces, as well as the national anthem.
The balustrade of the building is decorated with a cornice with 16 statues of famous composers who could not overcome time and collapsed back in the 1930s. During the restoration, new ones were put in their place: images of C. Monteverdi, A. Scarlatti, K. V. Gluck, W. A. Mozart, L. Beethoven, G. Verdi, G. Rossini, R. Wagner, G. Donizetti, M. I. Glinka, C. Gounod, J. Bizet, M. Mussorgsky, P. I. Tchaikovsky, S. Monyushko, B. Smetana.
In the 19th century, the facade and the street were illuminated at night with soft light using gas lamps, which became widespread in Budapest in 1856. Now the Budapest Opera House, located on one of the central Andrássy streets, is considered one of the best in the world, entering one of the world's top three opera scenes, after La Scala in Milan and the Grand Opera in Paris.
Theater Interior
The interior of the Hungarian Opera is a dizzying combination of luxury, marble, gilding,bronze and works of art. A chic marble staircase leads the spectators entering the theater first to the foyer, and then to the hall. Numerous busts, sculptures are installed on both sides of it, paintings hang on the walls. Paintings by Bertalan Szekely, Mor Tan and Karoly Lotz can be seen in the corridors and rooms.
The Grand Hall of the Hungarian Opera House in Budapest has a horseshoe shape, which contributes to its excellent acoustics. Almost every spectator sitting in any of the 1261 seats perfectly hears everything that happens on the stage. Performance attendance is about 90%. According to acoustic characteristics, the theater ranks third in the world.
Another interesting room that allows you to satisfy not only the aesthetic, but also the gastronomic tastes of the audience, is the buffet. The place for selling drinks and snacks looks quite modern. But the walls are decorated with beautiful old paintings and ornaments, the main character of which is the Greek god Dionysus.
To the right is a smoking room with the romantic name "kissing corridor". According to historical data, this room, shrouded in thick cigar smoke, once served as a place for dates for girls and boys. After all, the strict customs of the 19th century forbade such meetings in private, and dense smoke hid them from the eyes of the curious.
During the intermission, spectators have the opportunity to go out to the balcony to admire the beautiful view of Andrássy Avenue, illuminated by evening lights.
The hall and its history
The chairs in the opera hall in Budapest are very comfortable and upholstered in red velvet, mirrors are installed in the boxes, enclosed in gilded frames. At the top of the hall is a beautiful dome, in the painting of which several talented artists of the 19th century participated. The decoration of the ceiling is a beautiful bronze chandelier that weighs over 3 tons. Initially, it was gas, consisting of 500 horns, the flame in which was ignited using electromagnetic induction. Due to the inability to extinguish the already lit chandelier, the audience watched the performances with subdued lighting.
The chandelier was reconstructed only in the 1980s: modern light bulbs (220 pieces) were put into it, some parts were removed so that its weight is now 900 kg. To change the lamps, you have to lower it manually.
The central part of the ceiling of the hall is occupied by a fresco by K. Lotz - "The Apotheosis of Music", which is rightfully considered one of the masterpieces of fresco painting in Hungary. This circular composition (45 m in length) depicts the 12 gods of the Greek Olympus, who are listening to the speech of Apollo.
There are 3 tiers of balconies on the sides of the hall. Visibility at the highest of them is worse compared to others, but the low price of such places attracts some viewers. Along the last balconies under the ceiling, the names of all the famous opera performances that have ever taken place within these walls are listed in frames.
Between the left and right sides of the balconies, in the center is the Presidential box (formerlyRoyal), decorated on the sides with sculptures, which are symbolized by the main operatic voices (bass, tenor, alto, soprano).
Famous names
During the long history of the Hungarian Opera and Ballet Theater of Budapest, famous composers and musical figures F. Erkel, G. Mahler (4 years was the chief conductor), J. Puccini, A. Nikisz took the place of director. O. Klemperer (music director), J. Ferenchik and B. Bartok also worked in the theater.
Over the more than 120-year history of the Hungarian Opera House, many celebrities have visited here: opera singers Pavarotti, Caruso, P. Domingo and Carreras.
Theater repertoire
The theater season usually runs from September to the end of June. Performances are both opera and ballet. The repertoire of the theater includes about 40-50 performances, about 130 performances are given annually. For connoisseurs of opera art, the program includes "Aida" by G. Verdi, "Faust" by C. Gaunod, "The Marriage of Figaro" by Mozart.
The repertoire of the Hungarian opera includes Wagner's The Flying Dutchman, Strauss's The Die Fledermaus, Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker and Vajnonen, Verdi's The Robbers, Bartók's Castle, Mario and Wajda's The Magician, Richard Strauss' Ariadne auf Naxos, G. Verdi's Stiffelio, Rameau's Hippolyte and Arisia, Strauss' Rosencavalier, Rossini's The Barber of Seville, Verdi's Trovatore, Mozart's Magic Flute, Verdi's Aida and many more others.
Ballet performances that are successfully given on stage: R. Wagner's Valkyrie, Manon (in three acts). Children's performances:"Instrumental Magic" (for kids 4-7 years old).
Tickets to the Budapest Opera can be bought online or at the theater box office, the cost starts from 1.5 thousand forints. All performances are in great demand by the public, collecting feedback from the audience, admiring the splendor of the old building and the beautiful productions of opera and ballet performances.
Location and transportation
The Hungarian Opera House is located in the prestigious Terézváros district of Budapest on Andrássy Avenue (Andrássy út 22). Not far from it you can find popular shops of famous Hungarian and world brands, chic and expensive restaurants and hotels.
Theater opening hours: in the morning from 10.00 until the end of the evening performance. Ticket offices are open from 11.00 to 17.00 (weekdays and Saturdays), on Sunday - from 16.00 to the start of the show.
The most convenient way to get to the Budapest Opera is by metro, the nearest station is called "Opera" and is located on the orange M1 line. Buses 105 and 979 also pass by the theater.
Tours
In the building of the Hungarian Opera in Budapest, guided tours are held daily for tourists in many languages. Start at 15.00 and 16.00. For those wishing to visit the building at night, you can make a special order on the opera website. Ticket price - from 700 forints.
The program is available in several languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Russian. Moreover, excursions in the Budapest Opera in Russian are held only twice a week: Tuesday and Friday from15.00 to 16.00. Ticket price 2900 forints (10 euros), photography permission 500. Duration - 40 min.
Modern building renovation
The Hungarian government decided in 2017 and 2018 to carry out a grandiose reconstruction of the building of the Opera House in Budapest. The technical equipment of the stage will be modernized and the storage facility will be repaired. During the renovation, it was also decided to add and create an additional special hall for 400 seats for chamber music, which will be called the Eiffel Art Studios.
Over the past 5 years, regular restoration work has been carried out in the interior of the building. During them, many decorative elements were restored, and an additional entrance was opened from Hajos Street. Now tickets for all performances are on sale, performances will be held on stage.
Theatre's tour plans
While the building is under reconstruction, the theater is planning more and more tours around the countries and cities of the world. So, in November 2018, the Hungarian Opera from Budapest will go on a big tour of the United States as part of a team of 350 people. They will take 4 opera performances (“Bank Ban” by composer F. Erkel, “The Queen of Sheba” by K. Goldmark, “Mario the Magician” by J. Wajda and “Bluebeard’s Castle” by Bartok) and 3 ballet performances (“Swan Lake” by Tchaikovsky, “Don Quixote and contemporary ballet by Hans van Maen). The concerts feature leading Hungarian singers, with renowned tenor B althazar Larslow starring in Bank Ban.
Hungarian Opera -the only place in Budapest where music, literature, dance, theatre, art, choreography and architecture are in perfect harmony.
Budapest Opera Hotel
Not far from the Hungarian Opera House on a quiet street there is a small hotel with rooms of different comfort. His address: st. Revay, 24 (Revay utca 24). Exact name: K+K Hotel Opera (“K+K Hotel Opera”, Budapest).
Those who come to the capital of Hungary for the purpose of sightseeing and attending performances at the Opera and Ballet Theater will find it convenient to stay in such a small hotel. Rooms can be selected based on the level of comfort and cost (the price starts from 7 thousand rubles per day).
At the K+K Hotel Opera in Budapest, you can choose apartments for every taste, and its convenient location and delicious cuisine will delight any tourist and lover of theatrical life.
