Official Circle of Friends
Membership to the Official Circle of Friends opens up unique opportunities for you.
Experience the cultural life of the Vienna State Opera up close, exchange ideas with like-minded people and enjoy exclusive benefits. From meetings with artists and exciting discussions to exclusive backstage insights – the Circle of Friends offers you access to special experiences. You also enjoy advance purchase rights for tickets to selected performances, even before they officially go on sale.
The sponsorship contributions flow directly into innovative projects to open up the opera house to new audiences, as well as into the targeted promotion of young talent.
The Official Circle of Friends supports important areas such as the Opera Studio, the Opera School and the outreach initiatives of the Vienna State Opera.
With the opening of the new venue, NEST, the circle of friends has become even more important and is instrumental in implementing the creative operation and diverse programs of NEST.
With a family membership from just €75, you can share the fascination of opera with your children and grandchildren. Discover the many benefits and become a family member now!
As a private individual
You can easily become a member of the Circle of Friends via our ticket shop. As a dual member, you can even take one person with you to our events.
Anyone under 35 has the opportunity to become a member of our Young Circle of Friends.
Membership is always valid for the current season (September 1 - August 31).
For companies
Companies that support the Vienna State Opera make a valuable contribution to promoting young talent and future-oriented projects.
Membership of the Official Circle of Friends of the Vienna State Opera opens up access to an exclusive network of culturally aware companies and personalities. Companies can register via the office of the Circle of Friends.
Some of your benefits:
- Exclusive online pre-sales right for unsold tickets in all categories for € 20 for selected performances, available one day before performance start
- Under-27 tickets (for Young Members under 27 years) for selected performances for € 20 (opera and ballet)
- Preferential allocation of additional purchase tickets subject to availability
- Invitation to various events with the management of the Vienna State Opera, the Vienna State Ballet, artists, and Leading Team members (please note that all events and tours are held in German)
- Invitation to numerous events of the Official Circle of Friends incl. events of the Young Artist Program, outreach, allocation events and other events in the NEST (please note that all events and tours are held in German)
- On request, your name to appear on the website of the Vienna State Opera (Official Circle of Friends section)
- Free delivery of the season brochure of the Vienna State Opera and NEST
- Juvenilia membership (special trips for young opera lovers to other European opera houses)
- 10% discount in the shop »Hamtil & Söhne in der Wiener Staatsoper« (except books and vouchers)
Attention: Please note that this membership is only valid to Young Members under the age of 35. After registering, you will be asked to upload a photo/scan of your photo ID (e.g. passport, ID card, driver’s license). For reasons of data protection, this upload will be deleted after verification.
Some of your benefits:
As a Young Double Member you receive the same benefits as a single member, with one person being registered as the main person and therefore receiving the payment information. You receive access for 2 persons under 35 to the Official Circle of Friends events.
- Exclusive online pre-sales right for unsold tickets in all categories for € 20 for selected performances, available one day before performance start
- Under-27 tickets (for Young Members under 27 years) for selected performances for € 20 (opera and ballet)
- Preferential allocation of additional purchase tickets subject to availability
- Invitation to various events with the management of the Vienna State Opera, the Vienna State Ballet, artists and Leading Team members (please note that all events and tours are held in German)
- Invitation to numerous events of the Official Circle of Friends incl. events of the Young Artist Program, outreach, allocation events and other events in the NEST (please note that alle events and tours are held in German)
- On request, your name to appear on the website of the Vienna State Opera (Official Circle of Friends section)
- Free delivery of the season brochure of the Vienna State Opera and NEST
- Juvenilia membership (special trips for young opera lovers to other European opera houses)
- 10% discount in the shop »Hamtil & Söhne in der Wiener Staatsoper« (except books and vouchers)
Attention: Please note that membership is only available to Young Double Members under the age of 35. After registering, you will be asked to upload a photo/scan of your photo ID (e.g. passport, ID card, driver’s license). For reasons of data protection, this upload will be deleted after verification.
Some of your benefits:
- Allocation of free tickets for dress rehearsals at NEST (max. 2 tickets per performance, subject to availability)*
- Right of first refusal for children’s productions, the concert of the opera school and the matinee of the ballet academy in the main building (4 tickets per performance)
- Priority allocation for up to 4 tickets for premieres at NEST (limited quota; no quota for Nestervals Götter-Dämmerung)
- Tickets for Open Day in the main building (limited quota)
- Seat upgrade in NEST if seats in a better category are available on the day of the event (15 minutes before the start of the performance)*
- Invitations to various outreach workshops and projects in NEST and in the main building
- Exclusive tours of the new venue*
- Free delivery of the NEST season brochure
* For tax reasons, this benefit only applies to Members within Austria and the EU, as well as to private individuals in third countries.
Some of your benefits:
- Exclusive online right of first refusal for a total of 8 purchase tickets for selected opera repertoire performances in the upcoming season
- Right of first refusal for selected cycles from the season presentation until the beginning of the season
- Preferential allocation of additional purchase tickets subject to availability
- Exclusive special ticket offers for selected performances at the Vienna State Opera and NEST
- Invitation to numerous events of the Official Circle of Friends incl. events in the Young Artist Program, outreach, allocation events and other events in the NEST (please note that all events and tours are held in German)
- On request, your name to appear on the website of the Vienna State Opera (Official Circle of Friends section)
- Free delivery of the season brochure of the Vienna State Opera and NEST
- 10% discount in the shop »Hamtil & Söhne in der Wiener Staatsoper« (except books and vouchers)
Attention: For all domestic and foreign companies the registration for the Official Circle of Friends takes place via the Circle of Friends office. Please contact us at: freundeskreis@wiener-staatsoper.at.
Some of your benefits:
As a Double Member you receive the same benefits as a Single Member, with one person being registered as the main person and therefore receiving the payment information. You receive access for 2 persons to the Official Circle of Friends events.
- Exclusive online right of first refusal for a total of 8x2 purchase tickets for selected opera repertoire performances in the upcoming season
- Right of first refusal for selected cycles from the season presentation until the beginning of the season
- Preferential allocation of additional purchase tickets subject to availability
- Exclusive special ticket offers for selected performances at the Vienna State Opera and NEST
- Invitation to numerous events of the Official Circle of Friends incl. events in the Young Artist Program, outreach, allocation events and other events in the NEST (please note that all events and tours are held in German)
- On request, your name to appear on the website of the Vienna State Opera (Official Circle of Friends section)
- Free delivery of the season brochure of the Vienna State Opera and NEST
- 10% discount in the shop »Hamtil & Söhne in der Wiener Staatsoper« (except books and vouchers)
Attention: For all domestic and foreign companies the registration for the Official Circle of Friends takes place via the Circle of Friends office. Please contact us at: freundeskreis@wiener-staatsoper.at.
Some of your benefits:
- Exclusive online right of first refusal for a total of 2 purchase tickets for each new opera production (excluding opening night) and 12 purchase tickets for selected opera repertoire performances for the upcoming season
- Right of first refusal for selected cycles from the season presentation until the beginning of the season
- Preferential allocation of additional purchase tickets subject to availability
- Exclusive special ticket offers for selected performances at the Vienna State Opera and NEST
- Extended payment deadline for orders placed up to 2 weeks before the performance
- Invitation to various events with the management of the Vienna State Opera, the Vienna State Ballet, artists, and Leading Team members (please note that all events and tours are held in German)
- Invitation to numerous events of the Official Circle of Friends incl. events in the Young Artist Program, outreach, allocation events and other events in the NEST (please note that all events and tours are held in German)
- On request, your name to appear on the website of the Vienna State Opera (Official Circle of Friends section)
- Free delivery of the season brochure of the Vienna State Opera and NEST and the monthly magazine »Opernring Zwei«
- VIP FEDORA Ticket Service and Special Events
- 10% discount in the shop »Hamtil & Söhne in der Wiener Staatsoper« (except books and vouchers)
Attention: For all domestic and foreign companies the registration for the Official Circle of Friends takes place via the Circle of Friends office. Please contact us at: freundeskreis@wiener-staatsoper.at.
Some of your benefits:
- Exclusive online right of first refusal for a total of 14 purchase tickets for opera repertoire performances in the upcoming season
- Right of first refusal for selected cycles from the season presentation until the beginning of the season
- Preferential allocation of additional purchase tickets subject to availability
- Exclusive special ticket offers for selected performances at the Vienna State Opera and NEST
- Invitation to numerous events of the Official Circle of Friends incl. events in the Young Artist Program, outreach, allocation events and other events in the NEST (please note that all events and tours are held in German)
- On request, your name to appear on the website of the Vienna State Opera (Official Circle of Friends section)
- Free delivery of the season brochure of the Vienna State Opera and NEST and the monthly magazine »Opernring Zwei«
- 10% discount in the shop »Hamtil & Söhne in der Wiener Staatsoper« (except books and vouchers)
Attention: For all domestic and foreign companies the registration for the Official Circle of Friends takes place via the Circle of Friends office. Please contact us at: freundeskreis@wiener-staatsoper.at.
Some of your benefits:
- Pre-emptive right to purchase 2 tickets for the Vienna Opera Ball
- Exclusive online right of first refusal for a total of 2 purchase tickets for each new opera production (excluding opening night) and 14 purchase tickets for selected opera repertoire performances for the upcoming season
- Right of first refusal for selected cycles from the season presentation until the beginning of the season
- Preferential allocation of additional purchase tickets subject to availability
- Exclusive special ticket offers for selected performances at the Vienna State Opera and NEST
- Extended payment deadline for orders until 2 weeks before the performance
- Invitation to various events with the management of the Vienna State Opera, the Vienna State Ballet, artists and Leading Team members (please note that all events and tours are held in German)
- Invitation to numerous events of the Official Circle of Friends incl. events in the Young Artist Program, outreach, allocation events and other events in the NEST (please note that all events and tours are held in German)
- On request, your name to appear on the website of the Vienna State Opera (Official Circle of Friends section)
- Free delivery of the season brochure of the Vienna State Opera and NEST and the monthly magazine »Opernring Zwei«
- VIP FEDORA Ticket Service and Special Events
- 10% discount in the shop »Hamtil & Söhne in der Wiener Staatsoper« (except books and vouchers)
Attention: For all domestic and foreign companies the registration for the Official Circle of Friends takes place via the Circle of Friends office. Please contact us at: freundeskreis@wiener-staatsoper.at.
Some of your benefits:
- Pre-emptive right to 2 purchase tickets and 2 table shares for the Vienna Opera Ball
- 1x per season use of the Tea Salon during the interval
- Exclusive online right of first refusal for a total of 4 purchase tickets for each opera premiere and 14 purchase tickets for selected opera repertoire performances for the upcoming season
- Right of first refusal for selected cycles from the season presentation until the beginning of the season
- Preferential allocation of additional purchase tickets subject to availability
- Exclusive special ticket offers for selected performances at the Vienna State Opera and NEST
- Extended payment deadline for orders until 2 weeks before the performance
- Invitation to various events with the management of the Vienna State Opera, the Vienna State Ballet, artists and Leading Team members (please note that all events and tours are held in German)
- Invitation to numerous events of the Official Circle of Friends incl. events of the Young Artist Program, outreach, allocation events and other events in the NEST (please note that all events and tours are held in German)
- On request, your name to appear on the website of the Vienna State Opera (Official Circle of Friends section)
- Free delivery of the season brochure of the Vienna State Opera and NEST and the monthly magazine »Opernring Zwei«
- Free programme booklet for every premiere performance at the Vienna State Opera and NEST
- VIP FEDORA Ticket Service and Special Events
- 10% discount in the shop » Hamtil & Söhne in der Wiener Staatsoper« (except books and vouchers)
Attention: For all domestic and foreign companies the registration for the Official Circle of Friends takes place via the Circle of Friends office. Please contact us at: freundeskreis@wiener-staatsoper.at
Some of your benefits:
- Pre-emptive right to 2 purchase tickets and 2 table shares for the Vienna Opera Ball
- 2x per season use of the Tea Salon during the interval
- Exclusive online right of first refusal for a total of 4 purchase tickets for each opera premiere and 14 purchase tickets for selected opera repertoire performances for the upcoming season
- Right of first refusal for selected cycles from the season presentation until the beginning of the season
- Preferential allocation of additional purchase tickets subject to availability
- Exclusive special ticket offers for selected performances at the Vienna State Opera and NEST
- Extended payment deadline for orders until 2 weeks before the performance
- Invitation to various events with the management of the Vienna State Opera, the Vienna State Ballet, artists, and Leading Team members (please note that all events and tours are held in German)
- Invitation to numerous events of the Official Circle of Friends incl. events of the Young Artist Program, outreach, allocation events and other events in the NEST (please note that all events and tours are held in German)
- On request, your name to appear on the website of the Vienna State Opera (Official Circle of Friends section)
- Free delivery of the season brochure of the Vienna State Opera and NEST and the monthly magazine »Opernring Zwei«
- Free programme booklet for every premiere performance at the Vienna State Opera and NEST
- VIP FEDORA Ticket Service and Special Events
- 10% discount in the shop » Hamtil & Söhne in der Wiener Staatsoper« (except books and vouchers)
Attention: For all domestic and foreign companies the registration for the Official Circle of Friends takes place via the Circle of Friends office. Please contact us at: freundeskreis@wiener-staatsoper.at
Our events
"Dialogue on the lion sofa"
This series of events invites personalities from the Vienna State Opera and interesting guests to talk about opera, art and culture. Moderated by dramaturges from the Vienna State Opera, with musical performances by young talents from the opera studio.
"Lunch break with ..."
Well-known opera singers and conductors come to the Gustav Mahler Saal for an informal discussion. Members of the Circle of Friends can meet their favorite artists, gain exciting insights into their everyday lives and ask questions.
"... any questions?"
This format offers technical insights from the center box to the stage as well as artistic opera stories and anecdotes from a member of the Vienna State Opera ensemble in the magnificent tea room.
"Understanding music" with Jendrik Springer
Shortly before each opera premiere, Jendrik Springer offers a musical introduction. At the piano and in conversation with a dramaturge, he explains key features of the score. This event is exclusively for higher sponsorship categories.
The Leading Team presents
Directors and members of the leading team provide detailed insights into staging strategies and artistic concepts before the premiere. This event is an exclusive offer for higher funding categories of the Freundeskreis.
"Happy Hour" in the opera studio
The Opera Studio of the Vienna State Opera invites young members of the Circle of Friends to get to know the up-and-coming talent. The evening concludes with rehearsals and a relaxed discussion with Michael Kraus and the Friends team.
"On the trail of ..."
During a walk in the immediate vicinity of the Vienna State Opera, connections between Vienna and important composers are explored. Together with our dramaturges, central stages of their musical lives and highlights are examined in more detail.
Decoration workshop
The decoration workshops of ART for ART Theaterservice GmbH are among the largest in Europe. Our members are given an exclusive tour of the workshops, where backdrops and decorations for the Vienna State Opera are also created.
Costume collection
Immerse yourself in over 60 years of stage history! The Art for Art costume collection is the largest in Europe with over 250,000 costumes from all eras and genres: from futuristic to historical, from productions of the Vienna State Opera and other theaters.