First house, latest technology

From opera house to ballroom

The Wiener Staatsoper is not only an impressive building from the outside. With the latest stage technology, the inside of the Neoclassical structure is just as captivating.

In order for the stage to be ready for rehearsals and performances, the technical staff at the Wiener Staatsoper work in 3 shifts. After all, over 300 performances take place here between September and June. There are 3-4 different opera and ballet evenings each week, each involving up to 100 technicians. This is by no means excessive; up to 35 truckloads of set decoration and scenery from the Wiener Staatsoper depot must be installed for any single performance.

It is customary to pull out all the stops for the world famous Vienna Opera Ball; here, for one night, the Wiener Staatsoper is transformed into perhaps the most beautiful ballroom in the world. Within a few hours dozens of extra boxes are installed in the stage area to create enough room for this grand society event.