Graz Opera House

The municipal opera house was opened in 1899, designed by the Viennese architectural duo Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer, who were responsible for theatre buildings across Central Europe in the late 19th century. The neo-Baroque structure stands on Kaiser-Josef-Platz, on the edge of the old town, and today serves as the home of the city's opera and ballet ensemble — with a repertoire spanning opera, operetta, ballet and musical theatre. In front of the main façade stands a steel sculpture entitled 'Lichtschwert' (Light Sword) by Hartmut Skerbisch, a contemporary counterpoint to the historic architecture. A stop outside is enough to appreciate the exterior; the interior can be seen with a ticket to a performance or on a scheduled guided tour.