About
The Hungarian State Opera House (Magyar Allami Operahaz) is a historic opera house in the center of Budapest, built in 1884 on Andrassy Avenue designed by Miklos Iblem. It was originally called the Hungarian Royal Opera House. Today it is the second largest opera house in Budapest and Hungary.
Opera companies have performed in the city since the beginning of the 19th century. In 1835, a part of the National Opera Company "Casa" arrived in Buda, occupying the Castle Theater. Productions began under the direction of conductor Ferenc Erkel. By 1837, the troupe had settled in Magyar Színház, and in 1840 it became Nemzeti Színház. After the construction was completed, the opera company moved to the Hungarian Royal Opera House, where it staged 45-50 operas annually. Since 1886, the Budapest Opera Ball has been held in the theater.