
Public interest was overwhelming yesterday, and around an hour before the official start on Sunday evening, the gates to the Burggarten complex near the Vienna State Opera had to be closed because the maximum capacity of 7,000 open-air opera fans had been reached. The season at the Vienna State Opera began a few days ago. ‘But we believe that it shouldn't creep in so quietly and secretly,’ said State Opera Director Bogdan Roščić, explaining the reason for the open-air gala concert. In addition to the festive opening of the season, this year's programme will include various events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the destruction of the Vienna State Opera at the end of the Second World War and the inauguration of the rebuilt building on 5 November 1955.