The Wiener Staatsoper as museum

Fine art in the house on the Ring

Not only is the Wiener Staatsoper one of the leading opera houses in the world, in the 1860s the most famous Viennese artists provide the decoration for the interior of this monumental RIngstraße building.

On the first half landing of the gala steps can be found the portraits of the two Staatsoper architects, August Sicard von Sicardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll. The seven statues by sculptor Josef Gasser represent the seven free arts: architecture, sculpture, poetry, dance, musical art, acting and painting.

The Gustav Mahler Hall extends to the right of the stairwell. This room, known until 1997 as the Gobelin Hall after the Gobelins designed by Rudolf Eisenmenger, was the office of all directors of the Wiener Staatsoper until 1944. Including Gustav Mahler, who debuts as Director of the Royal and Imperial Court Opera on May 11, 1897. The room is named after him exactly 100 years later.

The main front and vestibule, the central staircase, foyer and loggia as well as the tea salon on the first floor are the parts of the Staatsoper that are still maintained in their original form. It is in the foyer that we find perhaps the most famous pieces of art from the Staatsoper’s interior; the splendid hall owes its epithet "Schwindfoyer" to the 16 oil paintings by celebrated artist Moritz von Schwind.