I have been somewhat of a hermit the last couple days trying to get some writing done, but I needed to get out tonight. I hadn't been to an opera since I've been in Vienna, so I decided to see what was on for tonight. Oh yeah, that's the
Staatsoper in the first picture in case you're wondering! Unfortunately, all the student tickets were sold out at the opera, but I was able to get a Stehplatz (standing place) for only 2 Euros. I saw Richard Strauss'
Der Rosenkavalier, and it was worth a lot more than my 2 Euros. The singing was great, the costumes were in good taste, the set looked realistic, the orchestra played well, and of course the story takes place in Vienna. This was the first professional opera production I've seen since summer 2005, and as I recall, Colin and I walked out of the last opera we attended after the first act. I won't say where or when that was! They have quite a few operas this month that I would like to try and get to, so I'll hit as many as I can.
While I was out and about checking out the ticket situation, I also stopped by the Karlskirche. The opera is just inside the ring in the 1st district, and the Karlskirche is just outside the ring (same train stop). It was built between 1716-1737 and is one of the finer Baroque buildings in Vienna. You can't really appreciate it unless you are inside, but the dome is incredibly tall for the length of the building. I took the
elevator up to the bottom of the dome, and from there I took the stairs all the way up to the lantern on the top. The view around Vienna is incredible from there, but it was cloudy today and pictures were impossible. The last picture is a picture of the organ (obviously!).
I have been somewhat of a hermit the last couple days trying to get some writing done, but I needed to get out tonight. I hadn't been to an opera since I've been in Vienna, so I decided to see what was on for tonight. Oh yeah, that's the Staatsoper in the first picture in case you're wondering! Unfortunately, all the student tickets were sold out at the opera, but I was able to get a Stehplatz (standing place) for only 2 Euros. I saw Richard Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier, and it was worth a lot more than my 2 Euros. The singing was great, the costumes were in good taste, the set looked realistic, the orchestra played well, and of course the story takes place in Vienna. This was the first professional opera production I've seen since summer 2005, and as I recall, Colin and I walked out of the last opera we attended after the first act. I won't say where or when that was! They have quite a few operas this month that I would like to try and get to, so I'll hit as many as I can.
While I was out and about checking out the ticket situation, I also stopped by the Karlskirche. The opera is just inside the ring in the 1st district, and the Karlskirche is just outside the ring (same train stop). It was built between 1716-1737 and is one of the finer Baroque buildings in Vienna. You can't really appreciate it unless you are inside, but the dome is incredibly tall for the length of the building. I took the
elevator up to the bottom of the dome, and from there I took the stairs all the way up to the lantern on the top. The view around Vienna is incredible from there, but it was cloudy today and pictures were impossible. The last picture is a picture of the organ (obviously!).
1 comment:
Hey John, Blog is great. Pictures are very good!! Thanks for the Tresniewski one. Brings back some good memories and I wish I could have lunch there today. Also nice Karlskirche pictures. Karlsplatz, as you may have noticed, is where the more colorful characters reside. Jealous about the opera, quite a bit better I imagine than the one we saw last... but I don't think I could handle the Stehplatz. Maybe they'll put on the Ring and you can get a Stehplatz...Oh yeah, one of the restaurants I always liked was the one near Belvedere, perhaps you saw it. Can't remember the name. Best,
Colin
Post a Comment