The Vienna State Opera is one of the top opera addresses in the world, with first-class productions of the very highest caliber and a different program every day: around 50 operas and ballet works per season, danced by the Vienna State Ballet. The variety of the operatic program is unparalleled anywhere in the world. It is not uncommon for all the tickets to be sold, so make sure you get yours in advance!

Open-Air Opera to Start the Season

For the very first time, the new season at the Burggarten will get underway with an open-air opera, or Opern Air: a festival of opera for all on September 7, 2025, where renowned artists such as Elīna Garanča, Sonya Yoncheva, Benjamin Bernheim, and Jonas Kaufmann, together with the orchestra and chorus of the Vienna State Opera led by Bertrand de Billy, will present highlights from the wide-ranging opera repertoire of the 2025/26 season. And admission is free! For those who can’t be there in person, the TV channels ORF III and ARTE will broadcast the event.

Highlights of the 2025/26 Season

The premieres are always eagerly awaited – this time, there are five:

• The Bartered Bride (Bedřich Smetana)
• Fidelio (Ludwig van Beethoven)
• Luisa Miller (Giuseppe Verdi)
• La Clemenza di Tito (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)
• The Pearl Fishers (Georges Bizet)

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Johann Strauss’ operetta Die Fledermaus is traditionally performed every New Year’s Eve at the Vienna State Opera. This time, one of Austria’s greatest cabaret artists will be playing the role of Frosch: Michael Niavarani.

The Vienna State Ballet will present three premieres at the Haus am Ring (Kallirhoe, Visionary Dances, Ballet Gala), complemented by a varied dance repertoire.

International Stars from Garanča to Flórez

Opera enthusiasts can look forward to seeing international stars return to the Vienna State Opera during the 2024/25 season, including Elīna Garanča, Juan Diego Flórez, Asmik Grigorian, Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Netrebko, Georg Nigl, Camilla Nylund, Marlis Petersen, Erwin Schrott, Tomasz Konieczny, Rolando Villazón, Pretty Yende, and Sonya Yoncheva. And these are just a few of the superstars gracing the Vienna State Opera.

Subtitles at the push of a button

Audience members can individually switch on subtitles – in German, English, Italian, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Japanese. The 2,021 displays at the seats also offer information about the cast and contents of the performance (in German or English). By the way, the subtitles are shown manually by pushing a button, since no two performances are identical in terms of tempo.

NEST – New State Opera

In 2024, the Vienna State Opera opened its second venue, called  NEST – an abbreviation for “Neue Staatsoper” (New State Opera). Music theater for children, teenagers, young adults and families has found a home in the Künstlerhaus on Karlsplatz. It has 248 seats, an orchestra pit and a fly system.

Each season features around 140 events including world premieres of children’s and youth operas as well as ballets, quiz shows, karaoke evenings, sing-alongs, concerts, cabaret, more experimental productions, and workshops. Young talents also take to the stage here, such as the Opera School, the Opera Studio, the Ballet Academy, and the Youth Company.

© Sofia Vargaiová

Vienna Opera Ball

For one night of the year, the Vienna State Opera transforms into a large dance floor – for the Vienna Opera Ball, considered to be the biggest meeting point in Austria for artists, politicians and businesspeople from around the world. Over a hundred debutant couples in long evening gown and tails open the ball of balls.

Glorious architecture

During guided tours, you can take a peek behind the scenes of the mighty opera house. The State Opera was erected between 1863 and 1869 as one of the first prestigious buildings on the then newly-created Ringstrasse boulevard. The 120-meter long intermission halls of the State Opera connect to frame the main staircase. To the right of the stairs lies the Gustav Mahler Hall. Gustav Mahler left his mark on opera like no other during his ten years as Director - with an unprecedented opera reform.

Explore this magnificent building of the Vienna State Opera virtually and in the VR experience "Wiener Staatsoper VR – Beyond the Scenes" - with insights in 360 degrees: dive into the world of opera, in front of and behind the scenes...

Shopping tip: A premium souvenir store is located within the arcades of the Vienna State Opera: Hamtil & Söhne offers classy souvenirs, including many with a connection to opera and ballet, of course.