The Hungarian State Opera on Andrássy út in Budapest is a Neo-Renaissance masterpiece and is considered one of the most beautiful opera stages in Europe. Designed by Miklós Ybl, the hall with around 1,260 seats was opened in 1884. An anecdote: Emperor Franz Joseph I approved construction under one condition — the house must not be larger than the Vienna Court Opera. Ybl complied but built an acoustically superior house, which allegedly displeased the Emperor. The house is home to the Hungarian State Opera and the Hungarian National Ballet. Famous directors included Gustav Mahler (1888-1891) and Otto Klemperer. The building was comprehensively restored 2017-2022 and reopened in faithful splendour.
To meet Vienna's "no larger" stipulation, Ybl made his house smaller but more sumptuous — smuggling more real gold into the ornamentation than the court opera had.
At a glance
- Type
- Opera house
- Location
- Budapest, Hungary