Tourists coming to Hungary and its capital must visit the opera in Budapest (Hungarian. Magyar Állami Operaház), which is one of the most beautiful sights of the city. Opera and ballet performances are regularly held here, where famous artists perform. The Hungarian Opera House is a beautiful old building of the 19th century, which is open daily for tourists and music lovers.
The history of the construction of the theater
Prior to the decision to build a new theater, all opera performances took place on the stage of the National Theater in turn with dramatic productions. The Hungarian Opera House in Budapest was erected for almost 10 years (1875-1884) with the money of the government and with the financial support of Franz Joseph, king of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The project of the theater was developed by architect M. Iblem, a representative of the pseudo-historical direction of European architecture.
Before the construction began, the architect was given the conditions: to create such a building, which in its luxury was second only to the Vienna Opera and surpassed all others. During the construction of the theater, all the best materials and large financial resources were involved.
Opening its doors on September 27, 1884, it received the name of the Royal Opera House, where all the capital's nobility gathered for performances. Many went to the opera to watch performances staged by one of the outstanding composers of the 19th century. J. Puccini.
Interesting Facts
Empress Elizabeth of Austria was very fond of attending the Royal Theater in Budapest. She even had her own box on the ground floor, which was called the “Sissy Box, ” because the lady was there incognito, hiding from society behind heavy curtains. And she passed here secretly through a separate Royal Staircase, connecting the street and the salons of the first floor.
The construction of the magnificent theater building was the impetus for the advent of 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 now very successful, attracting the elite audience of Hungary and other countries to the event.
During the Second World War, the building was practically not damaged, and the performances were resumed already in 1945. In 1950 the hall was expanded and more modern lighting was made. In 1979, the building began to come into disrepair, and a decision was made to conduct major repairs.
The grand opening after the 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, in the interior baroque ornaments, numerous sculptures and paintings are used. In front of the building are sculptures of two of Hungary's most famous composers: Franz Liszt and Franz Erkel. The latter was the first director of the theater 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, on which 16 statues of famous composers are installed, who could not overcome time and collapsed in the 1930s. Instead, new ones were put during the restoration: images of C. Monteverdi, A. Scarlatti, K.V. Gluck, V.A. Mozart, L. Beethoven, J. Verdi, J. Rossini, R. Wagner, G. Donizetti, M.I. Glinka, S. 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 popular in Budapest in 1856. Now the building of the Budapest Opera House, located on one of the central streets of Andrasi, is considered one of the best in the world, one of the three world famous operas scenes after the La Scala theater in Milan and the Grand Opera in Paris.
The interior of the theater
The interior of the Hungarian Opera is a dizzying combination of luxury, marble, gilding, bronze and works of art. A chic marble front staircase leads the audience entering the theater, first in the lobby and then into the hall. On both sides of it are numerous busts, sculptures, paintings hang on the walls. In the corridors and rooms you can see paintings by Bertalan Szkey, Mor Tan and Karoy Lotz.
The Great Hall of the Hungarian Opera House in Budapest has a horseshoe shape, which contributes to its excellent acoustics. Almost every spectator sitting on any of the 1261 seats, perfectly hears everything that happens on stage. The attendance of performances is about 90%. According to its acoustic characteristics, the theater takes third place in the world.
Another interesting room, which allows you to satisfy not only aesthetic, but also gastronomic tastes of the audience, is a buffet. A place to sell drinks and snacks looks quite modern. But the walls are decorated with beautiful ancient paintings and ornaments, the main character of which is the Greek god Dionysus.
To the right is the smoking room with the romantic name "corridor of kisses." According to historical data, this room, shrouded in thick cigar smoke, once served as a place for dates for girls and boys. Indeed, strict customs of the XIX century forbade such meetings in private, and dense smoke hid them from the eyes of the curious.
During the intermission, viewers have the opportunity to go out to the balcony to enjoy the beautiful view of Andrássy Avenue, illuminated by the evening lights.
Hall and its history
The chairs in the opera hall in Budapest are very comfortable and upholstered in red velvet, mirrors enclosed in gilded frames are installed in the boxes. 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, which weighs more than 3 tons. Initially, it was a gas one, consisting of 500 horns, the flame of which was ignited by electromagnetic induction. Due to the inability to extinguish an already lit chandelier, viewers watched performances with dim lighting.
The chandelier was reconstructed only in the 1980s: modern bulbs (220 pieces) were put in it, part of the 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 made 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 the length of the circle) depicts the 12 gods of Greek Olympus who listen to the performance of Apollo.
In the hall on the sides are 3 tiers of balconies. Visibility at the highest of them is worse than 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 ever held within these walls are listed.
Between the left and right sides of the balconies, in the center is the Presidential Box (formerly Royal), decorated on the sides with sculptures that symbolize the main opera voices (bass, tenor, viola, soprano).
Famous names
Over the long history of the Hungarian Opera and Ballet Theater of Budapest, the director's place was occupied by well-known composers and musical figures F. Erkel, G. Mahler (4 years was the main conductor), J. Puccini, A. Nikish. O. Klemperer (musical director), Y. Ferenchik and B. Bartok also worked in the theater.
Over the 120-year history of the existence of the Hungarian Opera House, many celebrities have visited here: opera singers Pavarotti, Caruso, P. Domingo and Carreras.
Theater repertoire
The theater season usually lasts from September to the end of June. Performances are both opera and ballet. The repertoire of the theater has about 40-50 performances, about 130 performances are given annually. For connoisseurs of opera, the program includes “Aida” by J. Verdi, “Faust” by C. Gaunoda, and “The Wedding of Figaro” by Mozart.
The Hungarian opera’s repertoire includes Wagner's The Flying Dutchman, Strauss's The Bat, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker and Vajnonen, Verdi’s Robbers, Bartok’s Castle, Wio’s Mario and The Wizard, Ariadne on Naxos Richard Strauss, “Stiffelio” J. Verdi, “Hippolytus and Arisia” Rameau, “Rosenkavalier” Strauss, “Barber of Seville” Rossini, “Troubadour” Verdi, “The Magic Flute” by Mozart, “Aida” Verdi and many others.
Ballet performances, which are successfully performed on stage: “The Valkyrie” by R. Wagner, “Manon” (in three acts). Children's performances: "Instrumental Magic" (for kids 4-7 years old).
Tickets for the Budapest opera can be bought online or at the box office of the theater, the cost starts from 1.5 thousand forints. All performances are in great demand by the audience, collecting reviews from spectators who were delighted with the splendor of the old building and the wonderful productions of opera and ballet performances.
Location and transport
The Hungarian Opera House is located in the prestigious Terézváros Budapest district 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 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 performance.
The most convenient way to get to Budapest's opera is the metro, the nearest station is called Opera and is located on the orange branch M1. Buses No. 105 and 979 also pass by the theater.
Tours
In the Hungarian Opera House in Budapest, excursions are held daily for tourists in many languages. Beginning at 15.00 and 16.00. For those who want to visit the building at night, you can make a special order on the opera website. Ticket prices start at 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 from 15.00 to 16.00. Ticket price 2900 forints (10 euros), permission to photograph 500. Duration - 40 minutes.
Modern building reconstruction
The Hungarian government decided in 2017 and 2018. to carry out a grand reconstruction of the opera house in Budapest. The technical equipment of the stage and the repair of the storage will be modernized. During the repair, it was also decided to add and create an additional special hall with 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 Hagios Street. Now tickets for all performances are on sale, performances will take place on the stage.
Theater tour plans
While the building is under reconstruction, the theater plans an ever new tour of countries and cities in 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 (“Ban Ban” by composer F. Erkel, “Queen of Sheba” K. Goldmark, “Mario Wizard” by J. Wajda and “Castle of the Blue Beard” by Bartok) and 3 ballet (“Swan Lake” by Tchaikovsky, “Don Quixote ”and the modern ballet of Hans van Maen). The leading singers of Hungary are involved in the concerts, and the famous tenor Baltazar Larslow plays the main role in the performance of Bank Ban.
The Hungarian opera is the only place in Budapest where music, literature, dance, theater, art, choreography and architecture are in complete harmony.
