The Hungarian State Opera is the leading cultural institute in Hungary where different artistic genres are equally embraced since its foundation in 1884. The opening of the neo-renaissance Opera House in Budapest, a masterpiece built by Miklós Ybl, a major figure of 19th-century Hungarian architecture, was a long-awaited moment in Hungarian operatic life. Since then, many important figures of international music were invited here, including composer Gustav Mahler, who was music director in Budapest from 1888 to 1891 and established the international prestige of the institution, performing Wagner operas as well as Magcagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana.
The Hungarian State Opera has always maintained high professional standards, inviting international stars like Renée Fleming, Cecilia Bartoli, Monserrat Caballé, Plácido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, José Cura, Thomas Hampson, Jonas Kaufmann, Juan Diego Flórez, Bryn Terfel and René Pape to perform on its stage. Regular Hungarian performers include outstanding and renowned artists such as Éva Marton, Erika Miklósa, Andrea Rost, Ildikó Komlósi and Gábor Bretz.
Following an extensive restoration and modernisation of almost five years, the refurbished Opera House was reopened in March 2022. The historic building once again welcomes visitors and audiences with a state-of-the-art stage machinery and superbly restored acoustics, as well as a constantly renewed classical repertoire alongside spectacular ballet productions, and classical concerts.