By Lia Batista

VIENNA, Austria – Historically opera has been a central part of Austrian culture, a performing art widely celebrated by the general public of Vienna.

From the characters dressed as Mozart selling tickets to the Wiener Staatsoper, the national opera company, to spontaneous operatic performances sprouting up in the many Viennese parks, opera is something you see and hear everywhere when visiting the historic city known for its music.

However, with roots deep in the past, opera often addresses contemporary social issues while still playing to universal themes. To bridge the time gap, some opera houses, like Theater An Der Wien, are staging works more relevant to contemporary issues, hoping to speak to contemporary youth just as the famous composers of the past engaged their audiences. 

Read about Oper Rund Um, a modern opera troupe playing in the parks of Vienna.