Opera

Are you a music lover? Even if the answer is "no", it is a must to visit the Hungarian State Opera House during your stay in Budapest.

One of the highlights of a walk in the Andrássy Street is the beautiful Opera House, which was built in 1884 in Neo-Renaissance style and designed by Miklós Ybl. The exterior of the building is very impressive although a bit complicated to appreciate because of the difficulty in getting a good view. The statues on the facade, renovated in 1966, represent the following great composers from left to right: Monteverdi, Scarlatti, Gluck, Mozart, Beethoven, Rossini, Donizetti, Glinka, Wagner, Verdi, Gounod, Bizet, Moussorgsky, Tchaikovsky, Moniuszko and Smetana. The interior and especially the performance hall itself is the most impressive with the allegorical frescoes, stone carvings, painting and other decorations by famous artists.

The main season in the Opera House lasts from September to the middle of June and includes over 50 major productions, many of which are familiar to foreign opera lovers as well.

A useful tip about seating at the Opera House: if you select box seats for a performance, make sure that they are in the first row. Unlike other opera houses, the second and third rows of seating in each box are not elevated, so your view will be obstructed by those sitting in front of you. In case you cannot get ticket for a front row of a box, you are better off somewhere in the orchestra section on the floor.

If you cannot catch one of the wonderful opera, ballet, or other performances and you're interested in getting further information about the Opera House, you may learn about the approximately 120 year history of this marvellous building, some of its performances and the architectural inspiration in course of an informative tour. Such tours are organised daily at 3 and 4 pm. in every major languages (English, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Hungarian) and take about an hour.

Don't forget! The Hungarian State Opera House is a "must see place" if you travel to Budapest! Do your best to catch a performance during your stay.
Recommended hotel right next to the Opera House:
K+K Hotel Opera
or for 1 minute walk:
Hotel Pest, Hotel Medosz.