Going To The Opera In Vilnius. What's It Like?
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- Опубліковано 25 тра 2022
- The Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre offers the public access to, well, operas and ballets! While today's video won’t go into the rich and turbulent history of Lithuanian performing arts, we will offer a walk-through of the theatre and what you can expect when attending a show here.
Interested in going? Tickets and information at www.opera.lt
Other classical performing groups and venues: www.lvso.lt and www.filharmonija.lt
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I used to work here from 2019 to 2022! I worked as an attendee at the doors scanning tickets & the coatroom hanging people's clothes & returning them upon the show. The pay wasn't really that good, but for an evening job while you study - it was perfect, the job conditions also allowed us to bring in our laptops or homework and just do it on the job while a play is happening. That's how I managed to get through some coursework. In a way, I do miss working there, but I also wouldn't trade my current position for this job considering the pay differences. But the fond memories of it all remain. I left in February 2022, as I was at a point in time where I had to start thinking about my career prospects, and the job I had there was no longer going to cut it, both financially, and for any of my future prospects as an IT engineer.
A few things worth pointing out - ticket prices are actually more varied than what you showed in the video, as ticket prices are also heavily dependent on whether you want a standing ticket or what season it is. During the Christmas season, for example, I've genuinely seen ticket prices go up to 200€, which even as an employee I found utterly ridiculous, whereas standing tickets could be less than 10€ at points. The downside of a standing ticket, obviously, is that you don't get to sit down, and trust me - standing for around 4 hours non-stop can be genuinely grueling for your legs. That's why down in the coatroom we used to have a ton of chairs around to just sit down during the periods when the play was ongoing.
I remember one time a whole group of 6 people came, each with 200€ tickets and the way we mark them as "checked" is we do a slight tear on the ticket. So, imagine being the guy responsible for essentially tearing 1200€ on a few tickets to mark them as "checked". Not very pleasant. And yes, before you ask - we have received requests from people not to tear their tickets, and we typically obliged.
One more thing to mention - the LNOBT theater has a program for kids as well. Sundays are usually "kids days" where the Opera house will primarily do children's plays, sometimes up to twice a day. These were, however, the most painful days as an attendant because of how hyper-aware we have to be to make sure that nothing gets broken and such. If there's an evening Opera on a Sunday, whether for kids or for adults, the show's time gets pushed ahead by 30 minutes, so doors open at 17:00 instead of 17:30, and the show begins at 18:00 instead of 18:30.
What surprised me about this is actually seeing some of my former colleagues from the theater in the video. Obviously I'm writing the comment in 2023, long after I left and with the LNOBT theater closing for renovations, so I doubt we'll see much of it this year, if at all, but it was still cool to see. Hope they're all doing well.
Great video! Miss this place a lot as well. 💔
Brings back memories, haven't been to a ballet in a decade if not more. Great venue.
Very interesting, I have not been to the opera, yet. But I have been to the Kaunas state musical theatre multiple times. They do more "modern" musicals, but it's also mostly in Lithuanian so probably not particularly interesting for foreigners.
I live in Riga and this video will make me go to weekend trip to Vilnius, to visit opera!
Thank you so much! I was taken there during my first (of many) visit to the city in autumn 1993. It was for an opera in 5 acts, and we had a bottle of Lithuanian "champagne" at each intermission. We were singing along at the end. In those days private enterprise had hardly begun, so we struggled to find somewhere to eat afterwards. Our hotel (Astorija, pre renovation) gave us something.
The fact that you did not mention trying a hot chocolate during the break means you have not truly been in Vilnius Opera House.
It was part of the plan to get it and experience that for myself but by the time I was able to place an order the break time was almost over 😔.
Thats the most iconic part
I think they should give students not just a discount, but free tickets to opera/ballet.
Depending on the school or university you attend, the theater does offer free entry with proper certification, such as a student card. At least it was like that when I worked there.
Lithuania has great opera traditions and top performers. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Lithuania#Opera