High Culture on a Low Budget: Budapest’s State Opera House

Budapest State Opera © Leandro’s World Tour

In the triumvirate with Vienna and Prague, Budapest is proud to be one of Central Europe’s top three musical cities. A city that produced two of the world’s greatest 20th century composers in Zoltán Kodály and Béla Bartók, it is no surprise that the musicality is felt everywhere–especially along the Danube. Hungarian Rhapsody is a title justly deserved. Classical music is king here, and to go to the castle that houses it all, look no further than the State Opera House (Operahaz).

Budapest’s opera house is only rivaled in its stunning architecture (it was used in the film Evita as the opera box Madonna visits while in “Paris”) and talented orchestra by its prices. If you have an extra $50.00 USD burning a hole in your pocket, you can get yourself an opera box and really live it up like a grande dame or monsieur. If you’re looking to save your forints, however, rest assured that you can still see some amazing productions for less than $10.00 USD. They often have some innovative performances here, but regardless of whether you’re seeing torn jeans or towering wigs onstage, the Budapest Opera is a magical experience that is well within anyone’s reach. Purchasing at the box office is your best bet to avoid any Ticketmaster-type charges, and there are usually tickets available at the last minute. While there, considering spending the extra $2.00 USD on a tour of the opera house. The tour guides are all music students who know the house like the backs of their hands, and there are tours offered in English, Italian, Spanish, French, German, and Hungarian.

Budapest State Opera
Andrassy ut 22
353-0170
Metro M1: Opera
www.opera.hu