Vienna is one of those cities that everyone has heard of, but few know much about. Most people are aware that it is the capital of Austria and has strong links with classical composers such as Mozart and Schubert, and, of course, the famous holiday market, but that is about as far as it goes. 

Like any city, it has a rich and interesting heritage, with lots to see or do – but unlike many of the world’s capitals, it is not a teeming tourist trap, meaning you can enjoy a far more authentic experience than you might in certain other places around Europe. 

Above and beyond its other attractions, it is that famous link to classical music that really sets Vienna apart, and for that reason, no visit is complete without a night out at the State Opera House. The trouble is, many are put off going for a number of reasons. They worry that it will be prohibitively expensive, or they will be bored, or they will make some social faux pas through not knowing the proper etiquette. 

This is an enormous shame, as everyone who manages to get past these concerns ends up having a wonderful night, and an experience they remember for years to come. So here, we will attempt to take on those three misconceptions one at a time:

Misconception 1: It will cost a fortune! 

Television has a lot to answer for. Whenever it shows people at the opera, they are wealthy aristocrats driving Bentleys and wearing Rolex watches. Little wonder people assume tickets must be outrageously expensive. In truth, opera fans come from all backgrounds, and while if you rock up on the day looking for a ticket it might be expensive, you can get a good price by purchasing online in advance. Sites like Vienna Opera Tickets are a good place to look.

Misconception 2: It’s boring!

An opera is a dramatic story intertwined with some amazing live music. To say it is boring is like saying books or movies are boring. It is just another medium for telling a story, and those stories can be as varied as anything you can read on paper or watch on the small screen. Most are sung in French or Italian, but there will be subtitles shown either via a projector or on a personal screen so you can keep track of what’s happening. 

Misconception 3: I don’t know what to do! 

This is perhaps the biggest hurdle, and again, it is down to those terrible TV shows. There is no big mystery to how to behave at the opera. You don’t need to dress up like James Bond, smart casual is perfectly acceptable, and if you are unsure when to clap, just wait and then copy what everyone else does. 

Enjoy a unique experience

No trip to Vienna is complete without experiencing the opera, so give it a try – you won’t regret it, and you will come away with tales to tell and memories to share. And before you know it, you will be persuading your family and friends to give it a try, too! 

Have you been to the Vienna opera? What production did you see? What did you love most?