The lights dim. Anything could lie behind that ornate curtain. The gorgeous theater’s gold walls and detailed ceilings echo with dying whispers from the crowd. Excitement is palpable in the audience. People move to put their phones away, craning their heads to get a glimpse of the conductor moving to his throne, and shush their neighbors. A hush falls over the theater, but there’s a silent, high-energy feeling in the air. The taste of their pre-show champagne lingers in their mouths, giving them the perfect buzz to enjoy Act I. It’s the perfect way to start an evening. The orchestra begins the overture. The curtain rises! The opera starts.
Did I lose you at “opera?” Public opinion toward opera is nothing short of mediocre. There are perceptions that it’s long, boring, stuffy, and old-fashioned. In reality, there is so much more to opera than people give it credit for. Operas have been around since the 1600s, and are defined by combining written dramatic text and setting it to music. An opera is completely sung through with an orchestra. Besides this criteria, the options for operas are limitless–the costumes, dancers, scenic design, acting, and performance are all up to the composer and the director. Opera did not reach Prague until the late 1800s; the first opera that premiered was Czech composer Bedřich Smetana’s The Bartered Bride at the Provisional Theatre in 1866.
In Prague, a city with a very European look, one would expect for there to be a lot of buzz around opera. While still popular, Prague’s operas are usually overshadowed by the more well-known opera houses in places like Vienna or Italy. People travel to Prague for the marvelous architecture, the beautiful scenery–but it is less known for the arts.
Music fanatic or not, here are five reasons why you should go to the opera during your time in Prague.
1) Expand your cultural understanding!
The cool thing about operas is that many were composed centuries ago, but their interpretations are new. You may be surprised to find that operas are set in extremely modern settings, have interesting and unexpected dance, and have unique costumes. When I saw Dvorak’s Rusalka at the National Theater, there was a group of dancers who were on stage for most of the opera. They did not sing, but brought the story along in a unique way, and added a layer of understanding. These new interpretations aim to make opera more exciting to a modern audience. Adding dazzling sets, dancers, and interesting acting choices elevate the opera without taking away from the original text and composition. Additionally, these interpretations will allow you to form your own opinions about the opera, giving you plenty to talk about during intermissions and afterward. Every time I go to the opera with a friend, I have multiple people remark, “I’m so surprised, it was so modern!” It really goes to show the brilliance of these composers that wrote these centuries ago, and how they can transcend generations.
2) Trying something new
It’s not everyday that you’re able to dress up, head to a stunning opera house, and watch live performances. In today’s world, it’s difficult to see live performances that aren’t an exorbitant amount of money. Fear not–Prague has some of the cheapest tickets for the best seats! Tickets go from $10 (for a seat in the second gallery) to $65 (for a front row seat!). In comparison, at the Vienna State Opera House, tickets go from $17 to $242. You’re sure to see a very similar quality performance in an equally beautiful opera house in Prague. Going to the opera is an extremely unique experience, one that is on many people’s bucket lists, and you’re lucky if you get to see one. So take the opportunity! You may not be in Prague again.
3) You get to see some cool architecture and history at the same time. 
If going to the opera wasn’t cool enough already, know that the theaters here are more than just buildings–they are filled with art, architecture, and interesting history. I had the pleasure of doing a guided tour of the National Theatre, and learned that it is one of the beacons of Prague’s culture. Originally opening in 1881, the National Theatre was completely funded by the Czech people crowdfunding. It was a part of the movement called the Czech National Revival–a renaissance of Czech language and culture that brought a new sense of pride to the Czech people. Going to the National Theatre is a great way to show your appreciation for culture in Prague and the Czech Republic. I recommend going to the opera house early before it fills up and look at the paintings on the walls, especially on the mezzanine floor–they all are filled with Greek mythological tales and are quite beautiful to look at.
4) You will be supporting the career of hundreds of people.
An insane amount of work goes into putting together a show every night. Not to mention, the set changes almost daily on each of the stages, with a new show and cast rotating in and out to maintain variety. There are hundreds of people behind the scenes–performers, makeup artists, costume designers and assistants, lighting operators, stage managers, set builders and designers–the list goes on. It’s important to recognize how much work goes into these operas. I had the pleasure of meeting an opera singer here in Prague–Bella Adamova, who has a featured role in Rusalka. She gave me an understanding of the work behind singing and performance aspects of opera. And while it may look glamorous from the outside, the world of vocal performance is not always sunshine and rainbows. During the interview, Adamova remarked, “Don’t romanticize this. This isn’t glorious. It’s cutthroat.” Supporting the performing arts is crucial for allowing more singers like Adamova to pursue their dreams and sustain a career in the arts. By seeing an opera, you are actively contributing to hundreds of people’s livelihoods, and that’s gotta feel good, right?
5) There are more than enough options to pick from.
The National Theatre of Prague actually has four different theaters–the National Theatre, The State Opera, The Estates Theatre, and The New Stage. All are a little different and each holds their own story. If you’re in Prague for a long time, try and hit all four at some point! In my opinion, it’s best to see an opera at The State Opera, as it is the largest one and is absolutely gorgeous in the theatre, but you can’t go wrong with any. The National Theatre also offers plays, ballets, and experimental theatre productions. If you go see an opera and want to explore another theatre, there are productions almost every night.
Know Before You Go:
- Dress up! Part of the fun about going to operas is you get to put on your finest wear. Many tourists choose to wear jeans and a button up, but if you want to seem like a true local, you’ll want to wear a suit or a dress. You won’t feel out of place, and it will be worth it!
- Do your research! If you have time, listen to a few excerpts from the opera and read the synopsis before going. You will have a better understanding of what is going on, and you can sit back and form your own opinions about the singers and the interpretation of the opera instead of wondering what the hell is going on.
- Secret tip: In the National Theatre, if you take the stairs all the way up to the top, there is actually a terrace that is open to theatre-goers. It looks out upon Prague and is a beautiful photo opportunity, especially in the evening. Additionally, if you take the stairs all the way down to the basement, you’ll find a room that tells you all about the history of the construction of The National Theatre. If you have time, I highly recommend this, as it serves as a miniature secret museum. Not many people know about this basement level, so it’s not likely to be crowded.
Now what are you waiting for? Go to The National Theatre’s Website and find something you’re interested in! I promise you–it’ll be worth the experience.