Wien: Staatsoper

Country: Austria (Österreich)
State: Wien
City: Wien
Location: 1.; Opernring 2 / Operngasse / Philharmonikerstraße / Kärntner Straße / Herbert-von-Karajan-Platz

Built 1863-1869 as "K. k. Hof-Operntheater" by Eduard van der Nüll and August Siccard von Siccardsburg, near the site of the old Kärntnertortheater (1st theatre built 1709, destryoed 1761; 2nd theatre built 1761-1763, demolished 1870). Fresco paintings in the main staircase and the loggia by Moritz von Schwind. Opened 25 May 1869 with Mozart's "Don Giovanni". 1920 renamed "Staatsoper". Stage and auditorium almost completely destroyed by bombs on 12 March 1945. Subsequently restored and rebuilt by Erich Boltenstern. Acoustical consultant: G. Schwaiger. Re-opened 5 November 1955 with Beethoven's "Fidelio". Original capacity: 2324, today: 2200 (1650 seats + 550 standing). Home to the resident opera and ballet companies.

1999 installation of a theatre tent, "Kinderopern-Zelt" for children's operas on the roof balcony by Wilhelm Holzbauer. Opened 19 Sep 1999 with W. Hiller's "Das Traumfresserchen". Ca. 140 seats. Theatre tent demolished 2015.

Notable world premieres:

  • Karl Goldmark: Die Königin von Saba (10 Mar 1875)
  • Karl Goldmark: Merlin (3 Apr 1886)
  • Josef Bayer: Die Puppenfee (4 Oct 1888)
  • Johann Strauß jr.: Ritter Pasman (1 Jan 1892)
  • Jules Massenet: Werther (16 Feb 1892)
  • Josef Bayer: Rund um Wien (13 Oct 1894)
  • Karl Goldmark: Das Heimchen am Herd (21 Mar 1896)
  • Alexander Zemlinsky: Es war einmal (22 Jan 1900)
  • Hugo Wolf: Der Corregidor (18 Feb 1904)
  • Karl Goldmark: Ein Wintermärchen (2 Jan 1908)
  • Franz Schreker: Das Spielwerk und die Prinzessin (15 Mar 1913)
  • Franz Schmidt: Notre Dame (1 Apr 1914)
  • Richard Strauss: Ariadne auf Naxos (Wien version, 4 Oct 1916)
  • Richard Strauss: Die Frau ohne Schatten (10 Oct 1919)
  • Richard Strauss: Schlagobers (9 May 1924)
  • Igor Stravinsky: Oedipus Rex (staged premiere, 23 Feb 1928)
  • Franz Lehár: Giuditta (20 Jan 1934)
  • Boris Blacher: Der Mohr von Venedig (29 Nov 1955)
  • Frank Martin: Der Sturm (17 Jun 1956)
  • Gottfried von Einem: Der Besuch der alten Dame (23 May 1971)
  • Alfred Schnittke: Gesualdo (26 May 1995)
  • Friedrich Cerha: Der Riese vom Steinfeld (15 June 2002)

Links: www.wiener-staatsoper.at, EUTA, Wikipedia

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Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "K. K. Hofoper", "Schäffer fec."
Reverse Text: "Handaquarellierter Kupferstich"
Publisher: Verlag Das Schöne Österreich, Brüder Nedomansky, Wien
Type: 20th-century postcard of a colorized engraving (a contemporary work showing a nostalgic view?)
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Reverse Text: "Franz Alt (1821-1914), Wiener Oper 1837 [sic!]. Vienna Opera. L'Opéra de Vienne (Wien, Graphische Sammlungen, Albertina)"
Publisher: Kunstverlag Wolfrum, Wien; 1985; 6670
Type: modern reproduction of an old (1873?) painting
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Wien. Opernring", signed: E. Czech 1894
Publisher: K. Stucker's Kunstanstalt G. Faltermeier, München; 7326
Type: Undivided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: from Wien to Trieste (today Italy), 1899

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "K. k. Hofoper in Wien."
Publisher: Postkartenvelag Frank, Wien
Type: Undivided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: to Nagyvárad (today Oradea, Romania), 1900

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "K. k. Hofoper"
Publisher: S10; ML
Type: Undivided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: from Wien to Novy Rousínov/Moravia (today Rousínov, Czech Republic), 1901

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Gruss aus Wien", "K. K. Hofoper"
Type: Undivided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: from Wien to Przemisl/Galizien (today Przemysl, Poland), 1902

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "K. k. Hof-Operntheater u. Kärntnerstrasse - Wien"
Publisher: Stengel & Co., Dresden und Berlin
Type: Undivided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: from Wien to Haida/Böhmen (today Nový Bor, Czech Republic), 1903

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "K. k. Hof-Oper, Wien"
Stamp on Reverse: "Dampf-Wasch-Anstalt Karl Bulawa, Teschen, österr. Schlesien"
Publisher: C. Jaeger (corm. V. Distl. & Cie.) Dampfwasch-Anstalt, Teschen (= Cieszyn, Poland)
Type: Laundry Receipt Card
Size: 11.5 x 7.9 cm

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Wien I., Hofoper"
Publisher: B. K. W. I. (Brüder Kohn, Wien); 101-2
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: from Wien to Breslau (today Wrocław, Poland), 1905

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Wiener Leben, Vor der Oper", signed: "Karl Feiertag"
Publisher: B. K. W. I. (Brüder Kohn, Wien); 631-11
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Wien, K. K. Hofoper", signature: RW
Publisher: B. K. W. I. (Brüder Kohn, Wien); Nr. 283/5; Künstler-Stein-Zeichnung
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Picture: view from Kärtner Straße towards Opernring; painting by Erwin Pendl
Reverse Text: "Wien I - Opernring. Orig. Maler Pendl."
Publisher: B. K. W. I. (Brüder Kohn, Wien); O. K. 61
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Reverse Text: "Wien: K. K. Hofoper"
Handwritten Reverse Text: dated 1911
Publisher: Theo Stroefer, [Nürnberg]; Theo Stroefer's Städte-Ansichten; TS N. Serie 747, No. 1
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Picture: streetlights with sculptures "Siegfried" and "Der steinerne Gast" (from Don Giovanni) by Fritz Zerritsch, created in 1905
Front Text: "[K.] k. Hofoper"
Publisher: Verlag A. Böhm, Wien I
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: from Wien to Romania, before 1918 [postmark partly illegible]

Wien: Staatsoper Picture: streetlight with sculpture "Siegfried" by Fritz Zerritsch, created in 1905
Front Text: "Wien. Kandelaber vor der Hofoper mit Motiv aus Siegfried."
Publisher: ?; 182
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: to Berlin (Germany), before 1918 [without postmark]

Wien: Staatsoper Picture: streetlight with sculpture "Der steinerne Gast" (from Don Giovanni) by Fritz Zerritsch, created in 1905
Front Text: "Don-Juan-Kandelaber vor dem k. k. Hof-Operntheater, von Bildhauer Fritz Zerritsch. Enthüllt am 16. Mai 1905. Gespendet von Alfred Böhler."
Publisher: K. Ledermann, Wien; 1905; 8087
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: from Wien to Steglitz bei Berlin (Germany), 1907

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Beim Operntheater Bühnentürl - Benedict Felix" (at the opera stagedoor)
Publisher: Verlag "Bediene dich selbst!", Wien
Type: Real Photo
Size: Classic
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Wien - Opernring mit Kärntnerstrasse"
Publisher: B. K. W. I. (Brüder Kohn, Wien); Ser. 194/2
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: from Wien to Praha (Czechoslovakia), 1922

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Wien - Oper", signed: W. Zajicek (1860-1923)
Reverse Text: "Wien, Oper."
Publisher: Kunstanstalt H. Nachbargauer, Wien; Wiener Aquarell Kunst; Nr. 160
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: from Wien to Murg (Germany), 1924

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: signed: P. Kaspar 1922
Reverse Text: "Wien I. - Operntheater"
Publisher: B. K. W. II. (Brüder Kohn, Wien); Nr. 11
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: from Wien to Dresden (Germany), 1925

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Wien - Oper u. Kärntnerstrasse"
Publisher: "RIRA Kunstwebebilder", Verlag Richard Ram, Wien
Type: Woven Fabric; Advertisement Card; Divided Back
Size: Classic
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: picture signed "Blum R. 1930"
Reverse Text: "Wien, Oper - Nach einem Aquarell von Rudolf Blum"
Publisher: Verlag Star, Nr. 511/12
Type: Winter Card
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Reverse Text: "Österreich. Der Opernplatz mit der weltbekannten Oper ist einer der bewegtesten Verkehrspunkte der österreichischen Landeshauptstadt. [...]"
Publisher: Wagner Margarine, Elmshorn/Holstein; Serie Nr. 33 Bild Nr. 4; F. A. Brockhaus, Leipzig
Type: Collecting Card
Size: 10.0 x 7.0 cm

Wien: Staatsoper Picture: with swastika flags (ca. 1938-1939)
Front Text: "Wien, Staatsoper"
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Not sent (but postmarked 1939).

Wien: Staatsoper Picture: during the 1945 bombings
Front Text: "Oper"
Type: plain paper card, probably not designed for postal use
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Picture: after the 1945 bombings
Front Text: "Wien I. Oper", signed: R. Borek
Publisher: Verlag Ryba
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Picture: after the 1945 bombings
Front Text: "Wien 1, Oper"
Reverse Text: "Aus der Serie 'Verwüstetes Wien', Wien 1, Oper"
Publisher: Lilliput-Verlag
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Picture: during reconstruction
Front Text: "Staatsoper - Gosudarstvenny Opera", signed: , Griessler 1946
Type: plain paper card, probably not designed for postal use
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Wien I., Bei der Oper"
Type: Real Photo
Size: Classic
Sent: from Wien to Rudolf E. Leisner, c/o Stadttheater Klagenfurt, 24 Sep 1955

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Wiedereröffnung der Wiener Staatsoper"
Stamp: "Die Staatsoper in Wien" (Austria, 1955)
Postmark: "Wiedereröffnung d. Wiener Staatsoper November 1955" (Wien 101, 5.11.1955)
Type: illustrated first day card; Blank Back
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Wien, Staatsoper"
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Fröhliche Weihnachten und viel Glück im neuen Jahr"
Reverse Text: "Aus österr. Heimat, Wien, Oper"
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: from Wien to Budapest (Hungary), 19 Dec 1963

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Sonderpostmarken '100 Jahre Wiener Staatsoper'"
Postmark: "100 Jahre Wiener Oper am Ring 1869 1969 1150 Wien 23.5.1969"
Type: First Day Cover
Size: 16.3 x 11.3 cm
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Wiener Staatsoper: Loggia"
Publisher: Verlag Dr. A. Defner, Igls; 83732
Type: Real Photo
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Wien / Oper. Vienna / Opera House"
Publisher: WSW; br4
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: from Wien to Daubhausen (Germany) [stamp and postmark removed]

Wien: Staatsoper Reverse Text: "Wien - Staatsoper"
Publisher: Fotoverlag A. Kellner, Wien; 1023 FW
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Stamp (Romania, 1985)
Text: "Opera din Viena, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart 1756-1791"

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Wiener Staatsoper"
Reverse Text: "Wien - Vienna - Vienne. Staatsoper 1861-1869 nach Plänen von August von Siccardsburg und Eduard van der Nüll erbaut. The State Opera House - Opéra d'Etat."
Publisher: Rau-Color, Wien III; FÖ 52974 A
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Reverse Text: "Wien, Staatsoper - Vienna, State Opera - Vienne, L'Opéra National - Vienna, L'Opera di Stato"
Publisher: Verlag Bauer, Wien; 690
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Reverse Text: "Die Wiener Staatsoper"
Publisher: Edition Skye, Wien; 9743
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Wien, Staatsoper"
Reverse Text: "Wien - Vienna - Vienne - Vienna (Austria): Staatsoper, The Opera House, L'Opéra national, L'Opera di Stato, La Opera del Estado"
Publisher: Rau-Color, Wien
Size: Modern
Sent: from Wien to Aschaffenburg (Germany), after 1984 [postmark illegible]

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: signed: "Leo Dobrowsky 88"
Reverse Text: "Wien, Staatsoper - Aquarell von Leo Dobrowsky"
Publisher: Elde-Tryck, Söderköping (Sweden)
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Picture: Staatsoper with Kinderopern-Zelt (theatre tent for children's opera) on the balcony
Front Text: "Wien, Oper"
Reverse Text: "Wien - Vienna - Vienne - Viena, Oper"
Publisher: Stefan Gaukell, Wien; G 754; Rau color
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Stamp Block (Austria, 2003)
Text: "Marcel Prawy 1911-2003"

Wien: Burgtheater / Staatsoper Stamp Block (Austria, 2005) with reproductions of 1955 commemorative stamps
Text: "50 Jahre Wiedereröffnung Burgtheater - 50 Jahre Wiedereröffnung Staatsoper", "Das Burgtheater in Wien", "Die Staatsoper in Wien"

Wien: Staatsoper Stamp (Austria, 2009)
Text: "140 Jahre Wiener Staatsoper"

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Wien - Vienna"
Reverse Text: "Wien - Vienna - Vienne - Viena - Wenen - Beha - Bécs - Wieden - Biennh, Staatsoper - The Opera House - Le Théâtre de l'Opéra - Il Teatro dell'Opera"
Publisher: Boomcity; 20093
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Staatsoper Vienna"
Reverse Text: "Wien/Vienna, Staatsoper Retro / State Opera Retro"
Publisher: Playa Media, Wien; 2017; #076
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Staatsoper Wien"
Reverse Text: "Wiener Oper"
Publisher: Edition Tausendschön, Mils; PK 225
Type: Glitter Card
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "1869 - 150 Jahre Wiener Staatsoper - 2019"
Reverse Text: "Wien: 150 Jahre Wiener Staatsoper"
Publisher: Edition Tausendschön, Mils; PK 601
Type: Glitter Card
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Wien: Staatsoper Front Text: "Wien"
Reverse Text: "Staatsoper in der Winternacht/Wien"
Publisher: Kollektion Wien Carl Anders Nilsson; Nr. 215
Size: Modern
Not sent.

ExteriorFoyersAuditorium

For other postcards of this theatre, see Wien: Cards showing various theatres.

Permanent link: https://www.andreas-praefcke.de/carthalia/id/70

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