Vienna State Opera is an internationally renowned opera company located in Vienna, Austria. The opera house in which the company performs is also called the Vienna State Opera. The opera company dates back to the mid-1800’s and was originally named the Vienna Court Opera. It was renamed the Vienna State Opera in 1918.
The opera company presents works from throughout opera history, with an emphasis on operas of the 1800’s. The Austrian government finances about half of the Vienna State Opera budget.
Many famous composers and conductors have held top positions at the Vienna State Opera. They include Gustav Mahler (director, 1897-1907), Richard Strauss (co-general manager, 1919-1924), Herbert von Karajan (artistic director, 1956-1964), and Seiji Ozawa (music director, 2002-2010).
The internationally famous Vienna State Ballet dance company performs in the opera house. The opera house operates the Ballet Academy, one of the oldest ballet schools in Europe, dating back to 1771. The opera house also sponsors an opera school for boys and girls from ages 8 to 14.
The opera house was built in a modern Renaissance style. The company’s premiere performance took place on May 25, 1869. The building was heavily damaged in 1945, near the end of World War II (1939-1945). It was restored in its original architectural style, reopening in 1955. The building now seats almost 2,300 people.
