The State Opera

Welcome to the Prague State Opera. A magnificent Neo-classical building, home to one of Europe’s most important and renowned opera venues. Until the early 1900s, right before Czechoslovakia was formed, musical culture was a source of competition between the Czech people and Prague’s German community. Both sides shared the same goal of asserting their cultural supremacy over the other. For years, Czech and German artists shared the Estates Theatre in the Old Town. That is until 1881, when a new venue opened near Vltava River: the grand National Theatre of Prague, where all performances were in Czech. A decision that offended Prague’s German minority, who then chose to established their own opera house so that they could perform freely in their native language. And just like that, the State Opera was born, designed by the renowned Viennese architectural duo, Helmer and Fellner.The opera house opened in 1888, with as guest of honor Richard Wagner, an opera expert, as well as other legends such as Richard Strauss and Gustav Mahler. Step inside, and you’ll find yourself transported into a splendid world of Neo-Rococo decor, where the 19th century crimson velvet and gilded stucco will simply amaze you. Here, you forget all your worries as you watch captivating ballets and mesmerizing lyrical concerts.