Going to the Opera in Vienna: History, Highlights & How to Experience It Today

Vienna is not just a city—it’s a living concert hall. From Mozart and Beethoven to the modern sounds of the New Viennese School, music fills its streets, concert halls, and palaces. If you're planning a trip or simply dreaming of Vienna, here's how to step into its operatic legacy.

A Brief History of Opera in Vienna

In the 1700s, Vienna hosted two major opera houses:

• The Imperial Opera (now the Vienna State Opera (Staatsoper)) showcased Italian operas.

• The Volksoper specialized in German-language works and continues to perform operas, plays, ballets, and operettas today.

The current Vienna State Opera building opened in 1869 on the Ringstraße in neo-Renaissance style. Mozart’s Don Giovanni was the first opera performed there.

After damage in World War II, the opera house was rebuilt with improved acoustics and re-opened with Beethoven’s Fidelio. This architectural and cultural gem remains central to Vienna’s identity.

What to Hear: Three Must-Listen Operas from Vienna

To immerse yourself in Vienna’s operatic spirit, start with these classics:

• Don Giovanni – Mozart’s daring and complex tale of seduction and consequences.

• The Magic Flute – A mystical journey blending Enlightenment ideals with fantasy.

• Fidelio – Beethoven’s powerful story of freedom, loyalty, and justice.

These operas not only reflect Vienna’s musical genius but also continue to shape its cultural reputation today.

Where to Go: Vienna’s Music Venues Today

Vienna’s inner city (inside the Ring) is packed with iconic music venues:

• Vienna State Opera (Staatsoper) – The flagship of opera in Austria.

• Volksoper – Known for German works and operettas.

• Musikverein – Home to the Vienna Philharmonic and famous for its acoustics.

• Mozarthaus – Hear Mozart’s music where he lived.

• Schönbrunn Palace Concerts – Enjoy open-air symphonies in an imperial setting.

• Stephansdom Cathedral – A Gothic cathedral with live classical concerts.

• Arnold Schönberg Center – Explore the modern music of the New Viennese School.

Cultural Tips: What to Do Around the Music

• Visit the Central Cemetery to find the graves of Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert, and more.

• Explore Beethoven’s Pasqualati House, now a museum.

• Enjoy a slice of Sachertorte at the Hotel Sacher, right across from the opera house.

• Take a scenic walk through the Vienna Woods.

• Discover Austrian folk music in Grinzing, especially in the summer.

• Cruise the Danube River and visit Melk Abbey for a full-day cultural experience.

Bonus: Make the Most of Your Musical Journey

Subscribe to Musical Times, our biweekly newsletter with playlists, music appreciation tips, and journaling prompts inspired by Vienna’s greatest works.

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Images:

• Vienna State Opera photo by Peter Haas (Wikimedia Commons)

• Volksoper photo by Martin Furtschegger (Wikimedia Commons)

Planning to visit Vienna? This guide is your musical compass through the City of Music.

🧑‍🎓 About the Author

Paul Merkley, PhD, is a retired professor of musicology, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and a Harvard PhD. He shares his passion for music history with seniors and lifelong learners through Seniors Junction.