The story of the architects of the Vienna opera – a story of triumph and tragedy
We don’t have any statistics to back this up, but we’re fairly certain that 99.9% of visitors to Vienna have seen the Vienna Opera. It’s hard to miss, standing prominently at Karlsplatz metro station, right on the Ringstraße. But while the building is famous worldwide, the architects of the Vienna Opera, Eduard van der Nüll and August Sicard von Sicardsburg aren’t. They remain largely unknown, even among locals.
Eduard van der Nüll and August Sicard von Sicardsburg
Van der Nüll and Sicardsburg were lifelong colleagues and friends. They likely met at the Polytechnikum (today’s Technical University of Vienna) and later continued their studies at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, where they would also work as professors. Their careers were closely intertwined, leading to their most famous project—the Vienna State Opera.
In 1858, the decision was made to build a new opera house, and the architects of the Vienna Opera were awarded the project. Construction began in 1863, but problems soon arose. Harsh criticism was directed at the building, largely due to technical issues beyond their control. The most infamous remark came from Emperor Franz Joseph, who reportedly called the structure a “sunken box” because one side of the building appeared lower than the Ringstraße by about a meter.
A Tragic End for the Architects
For van der Nüll, the intense criticism was too much to bear. In April 1868, before the opera was even completed, he took his own life. Just weeks later, Sicardsburg passed away in June 1868—never seeing their masterpiece open its doors.
Despite this tragic beginning, the Vienna Opera was inaugurated in May 1869. It went on to become one of the most renowned opera houses in the world. It barely survived World War II bombings though. But today, it stands as one of Vienna’s most visited buildings. The world-class performances it houses continue to define the city’s cultural legacy.
Explore more on our guided tours
Many fascinating stories await you on our tours in Vienna. To learn more about the Ringroad, you can book our highlights tour or our Jewish Vienna tour along the Ringstraße. You can also book a musical tour for a more musically specific experience.
