Budapest opera house--just as good as Vienna's and much much less expensive
Written: Jan 11 '00 (Updated Feb 25 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: beautiful theater (inside and outside), prices are a bargain
Cons: can't see 3/4 of the stage from side gallery seats
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| AlexG's Full Review: Budapest |
If you happen to visit Vienna and Budapest during your European trip, and would like to visit the opera house, I recommend going to the Budapest State Opera House--it is just as beautiful as Vienna’s, only it’s much much less expensive.
Though, perhaps not as widely known as Vienna’s opera house, Budapest’s opera is one of the best opera houses of Europe. It was initially built in 1884 after 9 years of construction, and it was built exclusively by Hungarian designers. It actually used to be called Kings Hungarian opera theater (Austro-Hungarian emperor Franz Josef was present during the opening ceremony). The opera house was reconstructed from 1980 to 1984, and hasn’t changed its look since then. It is absolutely beautiful inside and outside.
Tickets are very inexpensive, especially compared to what you would pay in Vienna. Gallery seats are only about $12, and very good floor seats are about $20. Here is a major tip from my personal experience: If you are buying gallery seats, try to avoid at any cost getting seats on the sides--you won’t be able to see 3/4 of the stage. These seats are not advertised as restricted view seats, but they are. You will regret getting them. So, if you are going for less expensive gallery tickets--only buy tickets for the MIDDLE of the gallery. I can’t stress this enough.
Also, local theater goers dress very nicely when they go to a theater. Women wear nice evening dresses and men wear suits. You won’t be refused permission if you dress not appropriately, but you will feel out of place. Like I was. I was in Budapest in August of ‘99, and due to unexpected circumstances I didn’t have time to change, so I wore jeans and a T-shirt. Bad, bad, bad. Dress to impress.
Enjoy your show.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
AlexG
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 - Top 500 |
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Location: New York, NY
Reviews written: 130
Trusted by: 239 members
About Me:
Alex has a voracious appetite for travel. Travel hasn't satisfied an appetite. It's created one.
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