No other river in the world flows through more capital cities.
The Danube is a natural highway to experience the opera houses of Europe and a river cruise is the perfect way to travel that road. Offering a window into the past, one can enjoy the glory of period architecture and listen to great music.
Built in 1884, the design for the opera house in Budapest was commissioned by Emperor Franz Joseph. Decorated with marble and frescos by the best artisans of the day, the Neo-Renaissance interior is a highlight of any tour of Budapest. The opera house has seen performances by many leading musicians and is considered to have among the best acoustics of similar size opera houses worldwide. Attending a performance here can be a highlight of any European trip.
Performances at the Vienna State Opera date back to the mid-19th century, with the opening performance in May, 1869 attended by Emperor Franz Josef and Empress Elisabeth. A lighter sound, departing from the traditional voluminous orchestra, was featured after the war and became known as “typically Viennese”. As one of the busiest and most popular opera houses in the world, the Vienna State Opera hosts around 300 performances per year. Child friendly, the opera house is well known for its children’s productions, as well as an opera school for 8-14 year olds.
Although partially destroyed in World War II, the original foyer and frescoes in the front section, as well as the main stairways, vestibule and tearooms remain.
The Bucharest National Opera House is also a great venue to enjoy opera in a beautiful venue. Built more recently, the distinctive architectural style of this beautiful building harkens back to an earlier neoclassical style and is one of the visual treasures of Bucharest.
Not to be missed is the historic building of the Slovak National Theatre in Bratislava, Slovakia. Located on a cobbled square at the entrance to the old town, it has a long history of renowned performances. The Slovak National Theatre, built near the site of the first stone theater in 1776, was completed in 1886 in the Neo-Renaissance style. The theater building is surrounded by a fountain and the busts of famous artists and is one of the best works of Viennese architects Fellner and Helmer.
Schedules for most opera seasons, sometimes only become available only a few months before the season begins, so you have to stay flexible if you want to be able to combine one or more performances.