The Opera A collage of shots taken on Thursday. The State Opera house was opened in 1869, built in a style called 'romantic historicism' - very ornate. Unfortunately it was bombed in March 1945 and everything except the front entrance hallways and rooms was rubble - and was rebuilt after the war, re-opening in 1955. So the auditorium and intermission room are from that period. Right below the "royal box" are the best 'seats' in the house, i.e. the standing room. As a young penniless student I used to buy standing room tickets - even standing the five hours (plus waiting time) for some of Wagner's operas. couldn't do that today.
Built to Impress 2010-01-06 This building was constructed in (or around) 1890 as the Vienna headquarters of one of Europe's largest insurance companies - the Riunione Adriatica di Sicurtà. Founded in 1838 in Trieste (which was part of Austria at the time), it's second headquarters was in Vienna.
Franz Joseph 2010-01-05 I was out with my wife yesterday - she to visit the Ethology Museum, and I to visit the Albertina Museum. Her museum was closed, so as I waited for her, I took a couple shots. Here is one of Emperor Franz Joseph I on horseback, sitting on the top of the ramp of the Albertina. You can see what he has to put up with - a new-fangled flying roof, and a strange 'sun room' on top of a neighboring classic building. Thanks for your comments on yesterday's partial eclipsed (missed). It turns out that I hadn't quite missed it, but the shot was "overexposed". And thanks, Judy, for the hint - yes I did have a polarizing filter on the lens.
