One of the things I have always wanted to do – and especially since I saw ‘Pretty Woman’, was to go to the opera, and watch it from an incredible box seat. So, given that I was staying directly across the road from the magnificent Vienna Opera House, I thought this was the perfect opportunity – although it turned out to be a little more than I had originally intended…
Opera…
This was my first experience attending an opera – I have listened to opera before, but never attended an opera. While I was never really enamoured with the recordings, friends would tell me that it is different in person – so I decided to wait to decide if I enjoy opera until I actually attended one in person.
Upon walking into the Vienna Opera House, the place was abuzz with those attending the opera, and sightseers on tours of the magnificent venue.
The opera in question was ‘Parcifal’. This was the last opera completed by Wagner and tells the story of the Arthurian knight, Parcifal, and his search for the holy grail. I am not a huge Wagner fan, but am definitely into the Arthur tales, so figured this was a good choice.
…and of course, I made sure I had an incredible box seat – right in the centre.
The Vienna Opera House was largely destroyed near the end of WWII, with only the front section and this magnificent staircase remaining totally intact.
So… what did I think of the opera?
Remember the scene in ‘Pretty Woman’ where they are at the opera and Richard Gere says, “People’s reaction to opera the first time they hear it is extreme. They either love it or they hate it. If they love it, they will always love it. If they don’t, they may learn to appreciate it, but it will never become part of their soul”..?
Well, I happen to fall into the latter camp – I certainly didn’t hate it, but I must admit, I certainly didn’t love it, either.
I did, however appreciate it.
What was interesting was the eclectic nature of the audience. From those such as myself who were bejeweled and in full evening attire (some men wearing tuxedos); right through to people wearing jeans and leather jackets.
What I did find fascinating was that there is a section for ‘standing room only’ – literally!
The area was packed tighter than the proverbial sardines with people standing for the entire five-hour production!
That is commitment and dedication to the art.
Being such a long performance (almost 6 hours!), there were two intervals, and thankfully I had pre-ordered my food and wine, so it was waiting for me at a reserved table.
Then, after the performance, a nightcap at the Opera Cafe downstairs before heading home…
…only to be startled when I went to open the door to find as I was putting my key into the main door of the building, it opened… and a glorious specimen of a man was coming out as I was going in. 🙂
Ballet…
So, given that my experience at the Vienna Opera House was not exactly earth-shattering, I decided to go back again – only this time to see a ballet (I do love attending the ballet).
For this event I decided to get a seat in the royal box – I figured, “why not!”
The ballet was ‘Raymonda’, choreographed by the legendary Rudolph Nureyev.
Through these doors is the private reception room that comes off the royal box – where I am about to watch the ballet!
…but first, dinner…
This is the ante-room for the royal box…
…and these double-doors go into the reception room I mentioned earlier…
This is the ‘standing room only’ section – and it is not even close to being full at this point…
One word – MAGNIFICENT!
…although it has now spoiled me – nothing but the royal box moving forward… 🙂
~ Bella
