Hungarian State Opera House
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History
From the early 19th century, touring groups had performed operas in Budapest, and in 1835 a group established themselves at the Castle Theater under conductor Ferenc Erkel
. By 1837, they were known as
the Magyar Színház (Hungarian Theater) and by 1840, the name changed to the Nemzeti Színház (National
Theater). As opera gained popularity, the need for a larger, more elaborate venue developed and it was under these
circumstances that the Hungarian State Opera House was conceived.
It features a symmetrical façade with figures of Hungary’s most prominent composers - Ferenc Erkel, who was the first music director of the Opera House and founder of the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra, and Franz Liszt, Hungary’s most well-known composer - sculpted by Alajos Stróbl on either side of the entrance.
The foyer features elegant marble columns, and the vaulted ceiling is covered with the murals of Bertalan Székely and Mór Than depicting the nine Muses. A sweeping stone staircase is illuminated by wrought-iron lamps and a bronze chandelier, weighing in at 3,050 kg, hangs in the mall hall, illuminating a fresco of the Greek Gods on Olympus by Károly Lotz
. The central stage was
progressive for the time, featuring a revolving stage and metal hydraulic machinery, and a three-storey circle leads to
a centrally located royal box with sculptures symbolizing the soprano, alto, tenor, and bass voices.From 1980 to 1984, the Hungarian State ordered major renovations to be completed at the Opera House, and the reopening was held on 27 September 1984, exactly 100 years after the original opening.
Visiting the Opera House:
The Opera House is open daily for visitors to marvel at this incredible building. Guided tours are available in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, and Hungarian and offer an insight into the history and architecture of this grand building.The Hungarian State Opera company season runs from September to late June, so if you are visiting during this time you can check current performances online at www.opera.hu/en and buy tickets at the theater. In addition, the Hungarian National Ballet also performs at the Opera House and performance times and ticket information is also available at www.opera.hu/en/balett/musor.
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Author: Pip23. Last updated: Apr 04, 2015
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