Page 124 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Budapest

122  BUD APEST AREA B Y AREA

q Hungarian State Opera
Magyar Állami Operaház

Opened in September 1884, the Hungarian
State Opera in Budapest was built to rival
those of Paris, Vienna and Dresden. Its
beautiful architecture and inter iors were
the life’s work of the great Hungarian
archi tect, Miklós Ybl. The interior also
features ornamentation by Hungarian
artists, includ ing Alajos Stróbl and Károly
Lotz. During its lifetime the Hungarian
State Opera has seen some influential
music directors, including Ferenc Erkel, Façade
The decoration of the symmetrical façade follows a
composer of the Hungarian opera Bánk musical theme. In niches on either side of the main
Bán, Gustav Mahler and Otto Klemperer. entrance there are figures of two of Hungary’s most
prominent com posers, Ferenc Erkel and Franz Liszt
(see p148). Both were sculpted by Alajos Stróbl.

Murals
The vaulted ceiling of
the foyer is covered in
magnificent murals by
Bertalan Székely and
Mór Than. They depict
the nine Muses.
. Foyer
The foyer, with its marble
columns, gilded vaulted
ceiling, murals and
chandeliers, gives the
opera house a feeling of
opulence and grandeur.

Main entrance
Wrought-iron lamps
illuminate the wide
stone staircase and
the main entrance.

. Main Staircase
Going to the opera was a
great social occasion in
the 19th century. A vast,
sweeping staircase was an
important element of the
opera house as it allowed
ladies to show off their
new gowns.

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 24th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm