State Opera: new regulation for the first sale of cheap festival tickets – Munich

Every year at the end of January, this enigmatic ritual on Marstallplatz was viewed with a mixture of admiration and amazement: people approached a permanently parked car and through the open window on the driver’s side they seemed to be passing some password to the person at the wheel. Then they would disappear, only to come back every two hours. A whole icy week of January. Even in the dead of night, which of course you can’t witness for yourself. But those in the know proudly reported about it. Members of that sect of opera aficionados that you meet all over the world. Who will do anything for their passion.

The unofficial number game was accepted by the State Opera for many years

In wintry Munich these were – before Corona – these around-the-clock appeals to keep the position on a list of names. A low number, if possible under 200, with which one could then step up to the front of the line on the first day of sale for the cheap opera festival tickets, so to speak with first access rights to the affordable seats. This number game was unofficial, but for many years it somehow took place under customary law in consultation with the State Opera, which recognized the appeal list and converted it into an official one on the day of sale.

This tradition now seems passé. Whether it’s due to the general cultural crisis or because the organizers are tired, who knows. In any case, the opera’s website announces a new procedure for the first sale of festival tickets: this year it will take place on Saturday, January 21, and as always, it will only be sold at the box office on Marstallplatz and strictly according to waiting numbers. But, this is new, they will not be handed out on the same morning over in the National Theater’s Friends foyer as in previous years. You have to get the numbers in advance. But you don’t have to run to round-the-clock roll calls or wait in front of the foyer gate from 6 a.m. on the first day of sale. From Tuesday, January 17, 9.30 a.m., the waiting numbers will be answered by telephone via the State Opera, online (Instructions) and assigned at the switch. There is only one number per customer. And you have to be quick, because this will be played out according to the “first come, first come” principle.

Large crowds in the Freude-Foyer of the State Opera: In the past, people stood in line here for the waiting numbers for the first sale of festival tickets. This time you can shorten the wait with a program until you are next door at the box office with your number. The opera canteen will also be open.

(Photo: Catherine Hess)

On the day of the first sale, you can then, as before, calculate from the amount of your waiting number when you should go to the door of the box office, where a very friendly gentleman will probably again watch over the entrance. If you want to make sure that you get there on time, you can shorten the waiting time next door in a nice way: the opera canteen is open to everyone from 8 a.m., otherwise you can’t get in, at least not officially. And from 9 a.m. there will be artistic program items and first-hand information about the festival in the Friends Foyer. Incidentally, director Nikolaus Bachler used to hand out pretzels to those waiting there in the past.

First sale of festival tickets, Saturday, January 21, 10 a.m., box office, Marstallplatz 5, allocation of waiting numbers, from January 17, 9.30 a.m., by telephone on 21 85 19 20, online www.staatsoper.de and at the switch.

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