Explore the extensive renovation journey of the Hungarian State Opera House, a major multi-million dollar project.

Regarded as one of Budapest’s most stunning landmarks, the Hungarian State Opera House attracts a multitude of visitors every year.

However, its grand facade is currently hidden behind scaffolding, making the iconic structure almost unrecognizable at the moment.

The Neo-Renaissance building has been closed for the past 18 months as it undergoes an intensive restoration and modernization process.

Exclusive behind-the-scenes photos reveal the scale of the restoration, including the replacement of the roof tiles and a complete redesign of the auditorium, featuring cutting-edge 'smart' technologies.

The curtain falls temporarily on the Hungarian State Opera House.

Although construction is still underway, the temporary covering shielding the building’s exterior will be removed by early 2020, revealing a restored facade that highlights the intricate Baroque elements of architect Miklós Ybl’s 19th-century design.

The opera house was initially scheduled to reopen fully in 2020, but the timeline was pushed back to 2021 as it became clear that the restoration needed far more work than initially anticipated.

"The restoration has taken longer than we anticipated because we kept discovering more areas that required attention," explained Attila Sághi, deputy CEO and head of development for the Liget Project, the team leading the opera house renovation.

What started as a minor upgrade to the opera house’s stage machinery quickly escalated when the renovation team realized the equipment from 1984 was outdated and no longer met the modern technical standards.

As the renovation progressed, additional problems were uncovered, leading to the decision to restore the opera house to its original splendor.

"It’s similar to renovating your bathroom or home," Sághi adds. "Unexpected issues always pop up, whether it’s replacing an old pipe or needing extra work to stabilize the foundations."

"There are always surprises in any renovation—whether it’s replacing a worn-out pipe or uncovering the need for additional structural support," Sághi notes.

"A project like this is similar, just scaled up significantly," he added.

The opera house is undergoing an extensive and detailed restoration.

Along with the roof and auditorium renovations, the opera house is receiving improved acoustics, updated rehearsal spaces, and a new elevator to accommodate those who cannot navigate the grand staircase.

The venue will undergo repairs to its windows and doorways, while new systems for fire alarms, IT, orientation, and modern heating and ventilation will be installed.

Additionally, every seat in the auditorium will be upgraded to a "smart seat."

These high-tech seats will feature built-in headsets, allowing users to switch between different languages, and will also come with tablets offering information about the opera house’s history.

Although the seating overhaul will reduce the total number of seats by 200, officials assure that this change will enhance comfort for the audience.

Despite the hefty cost of the modernization, Hungarian State Opera House Communications Manager András Oláh assures that ticket prices will remain accessible for theatergoers.

"While refurbishing the Opera House comes with significant costs, we don't expect ticket prices to rise by much," Oláh shared with Dinogo Travel.

"For instance, when compared to Vienna, ticket prices in Hungary will still remain far more affordable than at many opera houses worldwide."

A landmark building

Once finished, the Hungarian State Opera House will match the top-tier European institutions in terms of its infrastructure.

Opened in 1884, the venue was built as a counterpart to the Vienna State Opera House (Wiener Staatsoper).

At the time, Hungary was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and Emperor Franz Josef reportedly approved the construction of the opera house with the condition that it not surpass the size of Vienna’s.

Legend has it that upon arriving for the opening, Emperor Josef quipped: “I said it cannot be bigger than Vienna’s Opera House, but I never said it couldn’t be more beautiful.”

Located at the heart of Budapest’s Andrassy Avenue, the iconic opera house has long been a global leader in opera and ballet performances.

The Hungarian State Opera House has been the stage for some of the world’s most talented singers, dancers, and performers, and it’s considered one of the crowning achievements of a young artist’s career.

Notable figures such as Gustav Mahler and Otto Klemperer have held the post of director, while stars like Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, and Renée Fleming have graced its stage.

Until its grand reopening at the end of 2021, performances will take place at the Erkel Theater, the Hungarian State Opera’s secondary venue and the largest auditorium in Hungary.

Hungarian State Opera House, Andrássy út 22, 1061 Budapest; +36 1 814 7100