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!

Highlights of the 2024/25 season

Premieres are always eagerly awaited – this season there will be six of them:

• Don Carlos (Giuseppe Verdi) – Asmik Grigorian debuts as Elisabetta

• Fin de Partie (György Kurtág), conducted by Simone Young

• The Magic Flute (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)

• Norma (Vincenzo Bellini), with Federica Lombardi, Juan Diego Flórez, Ildebrando D’Arcangelo

• Iolanta (Piotr I. Tchaikovsky), with Sonya Yoncheva

• Tannhäuser (Richard Wagner), directed by Lydia Steier

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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. It will be a fitting prelude to Johann Strauss 2025 anniversary year, in which Vienna celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Waltz King’s birth.

The Vienna State Ballet will present two premieres at the Haus am Ring (The Winter’s Tale, Pathétique), supplemented by a varied dance repertoire.

International stars from Garanca to Flórez

Anna Netrebko will make her role debut as Lisa in Pique Dame during the 2024/25 season and will also be appearing as the prima donna in Richard Strauss’ Ariadne. Opera lovers can look forward to the return to the stage of international stars such as Elīna Garanča, Juan Diego Flórez, Asmik Grigorian, Ekaterina Gubanova, Jonas Kaufmann, Camilla Nylund, Pretty Yende, Sonya Yoncheva, Erwin Schrott and Tomasz Konieczny.

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.

New from December 2024: NEST – New State Opera

On December 7, 2024, the Vienna State Opera opened its second venue called NEST – an abbreviation of “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.

 The first season will feature some 100 events: world premieres of children’s and youth operas and ballets, quiz shows, more experimental productions, discussion events and creative introductions to productions and workshops. This is also where young talents have a chance to perform: the Opera School, the Opera Studio, the Ballet Academy and the Youth Company.

© Martina Berger

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.