The war-damaged opera in Vienna was reopened in November 1955

Vienna/Prague - The Vienna State Opera is among the most significant opera stages in the world. The opera house was constructed from 1863 to 1869 and was ceremonially opened on May 25, 1869. In March 1945, it was hit by American bombing. After reconstruction, the opera was reopened 70 years ago, on November 5, 1955, with Fidelio by Ludwig van Beethoven.

The opera house was designed by the architect duo August Sicard from Sicardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll. The project was then carried out by the construction office of their student, the prominent Czech architect Josef Hlávka. The construction of the theater was accompanied by a series of difficulties. Both architects were attacked, accused, and dragged through the press until their mental crisis culminated - Eduard van der Nüll hanged himself, and his already half-mad partner died an early death that same year (1868). The theater was opened in May 1869 with a performance of Mozart's Don Giovanni in the presence of Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth.

The opera, which derives from the tradition of the Court Opera of the 17th century, has earned an excellent reputation particularly due to the presence of many prominent conductors, singers, and sopranos (including several Czechs and Slovaks) and the quality of its orchestra, choir, and ballet. Members of the opera orchestra are selected from the Vienna Philharmonic. Additionally, once a year, the stage and floor of the opera are transformed into a large ballroom during the Vienna Opera Ball.

The last performance in the original opera house took place in June 1944, and on March 12, 1945, the building was hit by bombing. The stage, dressing rooms, and nearly the entire auditorium were damaged, and extensive fire caused further destruction. Nevertheless, it was possible to save at least part of the entrance hall, foyer, staircase, and about two-thirds of the outer facade. The reconstruction then lasted until 1955.