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State Opera Museum

Mahler’s era at the Haus am Ring lasted ten years. He wrote opera history here. His works can be traced in the State Opera Museum.

Bühnenbild zu Tristan und Isolde

Stage setting at Mahler's era, Vienna State Opera

Bühnenskizze

The 140-year history is brought to life - chronologically arranged in the circular exhibition room: with pictures of singers, a description of the main events such as original performances, with models of stage sets, designs, costumes, props, musical scores, and photographs.

Gustav Mahler and Herbert von Karajan had an impact on the opera like nobody else. Books of two meters in height and full of detailed information are dedicated to them. The imperial gold Mahler Book is a rich source of biographical and historical cross-references on the social and arts scene in Vienna at the time (e.g. on Mahler's theatrical director Alfred Roller, who belonged to the group of the Vienna Secession Movement, or Alma who later became his wife).

Mahler's reforms were groundbreaking: He adopted Wagner's new concept of the opera as a total artwork, allowed music, scenery, lighting, and acting to come together in a harmonious whole and put together an ensemble that supported these ideas.

Mahler also initiated the darkening of the auditorium even during the overture and only let latecomers enter during the intermission. Until that time, a great deal of coming and going, eating, drinking, and chatting was commonplace during the performance.