(Wiener Staatsoper)
The Opera House was the first major building on the Vienna Ringstrasse commissioned by the Viennese "city expansion fund".
Work commenced in 1861 and was completed in 1869.
The opening premiere was Don Giovanni, by Mozart, on May 25, 1869. Emperor Franz Josef and Empress Elisabeth (Sissi) were present.
The building was, however, not very popular with the public.
The opera house was a one-minute stroll across the street from our hotel.
Towards the end of World War II, on March 12, 1945, the opera house was set alight by an American bombardment.
The front section, which had been walled off as a precaution, remained intact including the foyer, the main stairways, the vestibule and the tea room.
The auditorium and stage were, however, destroyed by flames as well as almost the entire décor and props for more than 120 operas with around 150,000 costumes.
Lengthy discussions took place about whether the opera house should be restored to its original state on its original site,
or whether it should be completely demolished and rebuilt, either on the same location or on a different site.
Eventually the decision was made to rebuild the opera house as it had been.
