Five Cities To See The Opera
The opera is one of the most cultural art forms that can be traced back to the 17th century.
Since then, famous operas from Mozart, Puccini, and Bizet have been played to packed audiences from all corners of the world. With theatres in many major cities, it is possible to see the opera in Rome, New York, Sydney, or whichever part of the world you find yourself in.
Here are five outstanding places where you can visit the opera.
Rome
Italy is the birthplace of opera, and there’s nothing like taking in a performance whilst on a visit to the Eternal City. Rome is home to many famous opera houses, such as the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma and the Teatro Argentina, and many famous operas and singers have performed in the Italian capital. In addition to the beautiful opera houses, Rome is also the home of the Baths of Caracalla, where outdoor performances are played each summer underneath the stars amidst the breathtaking Roman ruins in the background.
Vienna
Vienna is another European capital that is steeped in history and famous for its classical music and operatic performances. The Vienna State Opera House is possibly the most famous in the Austrian capital. This historic building, which was completed in 1869, has played host to some of the best-known operas. Opened in 1869, Mozart’s Don Giovanni became the first opera to be performed. The theatre had to undergo huge renovation after suffering damage during the second world war. The only section to survive was the grand marble staircase, and the new building was constructed around it.
Moscow
The Bolshoi in Moscow is Russia’s most famous operatic theatre and one of the world’s most recognisable names. It has played host to the premieres of many operas from composers such as Dmitri Shostakovich, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Opened in 1825, this beautiful building has been renovated several times, most recently in 2011, when a six-year renovation ended. The Bolshoi now incorporates its famous ballet to give a true sense of the arts that Moscow has to offer, and for a taste of splendour and grandeur, the Bolshoi is hard to beat.
Sydney
We can’t discuss world-famous opera houses without Sydney being mentioned. One of the most distinctive buildings in the world, the Sydney Opera House was opened in 1973 by the late Queen Elizabeth II, almost 20 years after its initial conception and design. The podium itself took four years to complete and at one stage, had to be rebuilt as it wasn’t strong enough to hold the iconic shells that dominate this incredible building. With the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background, the opera house is a must if ever you’re in the city. It’s also easy to visit this country with available flights from Chicago to Sydney.
New York
The original Metropolitan Opera House opened in 1883 on Broadway, Manhattan, giving New Yorkers the perfect venue to visit the opera. Opening with a performance of Faust by French composer Charles Gounod, before producing operas by Verdi, Mozart, Wagner and Bizet amongst others. It could hold over 3000 seats and provide standing room for 225 people. The old building played a farewell performance in 1966 and moved to a new location at Lincoln Center, which also hosts the American Ballet Theatre during the summer. The Opera House boasts one of the most technologically advanced stages in the world, using hydraulic lifts and motorized stages to bring to life some of the more complex and difficult operas to perform.
