San Francisco Opera: Ilana Walder-Biesanz It is usually possible to book two months prior to the performance, however, very popular performances can be sold out by that time. The drawback to applying early for tickets in both houses is that one cannot choose your exact seats, only the general locations. Annual summer opera festival tickets are allocated in February and any remaining tickets are then sold at the end of March. The remaining tickets are sold online and on the phone two months prior to performance. Single tickets are allocated three months prior to performances to those who apply via the internet, email or in person. Upper levels are best acoustically center locations are the best for visuals as side seats restrict views. The house acoustics can be tricky at the back and the sides of the Parkett and one should avoid the extreme sides as both sightline and acoustics are compromised. The first four rows can be a challenge if one has a tall person in front. If one can choose, Parkett rows 5 and up offer the best sightlines as this is where tiered seating begins. For sold-out performances, the box office gives out standby numbers for unclaimed tickets one hour before curtain-up.Ĭomfort tip: avoid queues by pre-ordering your interval refreshments at the bar.īayerische Staatsoper, Munich: Ako Imamura Students can get last-minute tickets for 15 euros admission requires an up-to-date photo student ID. The Last Minute Ticket Shop sometimes has same-day tickets at 50% off. The cheapest opera seats (20-30 euros) go fast because prices double in the next band.

Price bands 5 (opera) and 4 (ballet) in the upper balcony offer the best value for money. Dynamic pricing means prices go up if sales are good, Monday to Thursday shows being cheaper. There are no bad sightlines, but the balcony overhang muffles sound, so avoid upwards of Row 15 in the stalls. Lower balcony centre seats are the best for sight and sound. Ballet performances go on sale each year on the 1st of June, operas according to a staggered schedule. Top tip: the sound is best in the platea in seats lining the outer walls.ĭutch National Opera & Ballet, Amsterdam: Jenny Camilleriīuying printable e-tickets online for this spacious house is a cinch. From the stalls (platea), you'll get a decent sound, comfortable seats and unimpeded views, though tickets are pricey. Views of the stage are also often restricted from (mid-priced) seats in boxes (palchi). The sound is arguably best in the gallery, though the stage is far away making enjoyment of the production tricky. People queue from the morning for popular performances. Tickets at La Scala sell fast, especially for popular performances of Verdi and Puccini, but box office opening times are clearly stated on La Scala's site, meaning that you can often pick up even cheaper tickets if you are well-organised.įor those that are happy to queue, La Scala releases 140 gallery tickets two and half hours before the start of each performance, which are acquired by lining up outside the box office on Via Filodrammatici where badged members of the “L'Accordo” association will emerge to put your name on a list (one ticket per person). Who better to offer us an 'insider guide' to their favourite opera houses? Want to know where to sit? When to book? Here, several of our opera team share their thoughts. Bachtrack is lucky to have opera reviewers around the globe, bringing you their critiques of productions new and old.

War memorial opera house balcony view