# 6 Best Concert Halls in Budapest > We rounded up the 6 best concert halls in Budapest, from the grand opera house to intimate stages. Find out where to hear world-class music. - URL: https://langandtrip.com.ua/en/article/6-naykrashchykh-kontsertnykh-zaliv-budapeshta/ - Language: en - Published: 2023-12-12 - Categories: Culture, Leisure, Theaters, Hungary, Relaxation, Events --- For many years, Budapest has been a first-class haven for music lovers, drawing the finest musicians from all over the world. Today the Hungarian capital carries the legacy of a rich musical history: it is home to magnificent concert and music halls that once hosted composers such as Franz Liszt and Ferenc Erkel. The breathtaking Hungarian State Opera House is one of the world's finest examples of Neo-Renaissance architecture, while the neighboring Bela Bartok National Concert Hall lends a modern touch to the city's grand skyline. Here are the six best concert halls in Budapest, from the stunning interior of the Liszt Academy of Music to the flamboyant Vigado: ## 1. Vigado Concert Hall ![Vigado Concert Hall in Budapest](/storage/image/prev/Vengria-1-Vigado-1024x768.jpg) The oldest of Budapest's great music halls, the Vigado Concert Hall is a distinctly Hungarian blend of Moorish, Gothic and Romanesque styles. It was designed by architect Frigyes Feszl, who began work on the building in 1859 and completed it in 1865. Since its very first premiere, the stage has welcomed Johannes Brahms, Johann Strauss II, Sergei Prokofiev and Gerhard Richter, and the splendor of the interior more than makes up for any shortcomings in the acoustics. Set in the heart of the city with a view of the Danube, the Vigado reopened after a decade-long renovation in March 2014 and has remained one of the city's most popular music venues ever since. ## 2. Hungarian State Opera House ![Hungarian State Opera House](/storage/image/prev/Vengria-2-H-S-O-H-1024x687.jpg) Built to rival its Viennese counterpart, the Hungarian State Opera House is an exuberant Neo-Renaissance building with added Baroque touches. Completed in 1884, it boasts a grand chandelier weighing three tonnes, and nearly three kilograms of gold went into gilding the cherubs and nymphs of its lavishly decorated interior. Former directors of the theater include Gustav Mahler and Otto Klemperer, and while some recent productions have sparked debate, there is no denying the quality of the acoustics or the skill of the performers and musicians who take the stage. The ballet productions are equally worthy of top marks. What's more, ticket prices won't break the bank, so you can treat yourself to a seat in the auditorium or a glass of something sparkling on the balcony overlooking Andrassy Avenue, Budapest's boulevard in the style of the Champs-Elysees. Note that the Opera House is closed for renovation until 2020, though guided tours of the building are still available. In the meantime, performances take place at the Erkel Theatre. ## 3. Liszt Academy of Music ![Liszt Academy of Music](/storage/image/prev/Vengria-3-Akademy-1024x804.jpg) This prestigious concert hall and music conservatory, founded by Franz Liszt himself and crowned above its entrance by a statue of the composer, sits in a magnificent Art Nouveau building. The Liszt Academy of Music reopened in 2013 after a two-year renovation that restored the gold, pink and black tones of its 1907 interior. The building's frame was reinforced and a sophisticated air-conditioning system was installed, cleverly hidden behind the laurel-leaf decor on the ceiling. The backstage facilities are second to none, and the seats in the concert hall offer plenty of legroom. ## 4. Erkel Theatre ![Erkel Theatre](/storage/image/prev/Vengria-4-E-T-1024x638.jpg) The Erkel Theatre is the largest auditorium in Hungary and has served as the second venue of the Hungarian State Opera since 1951. Although the theater opened as the People's Opera in 1911, several renovations over the years have left very little of its original design intact. But despite its gloomy 1950s exterior, a visit to the Erkel Theatre is still an unforgettable experience. Wonderful performances take place here throughout the year, and the acoustics are simply superb. As for the interior, it is beautifully done in Art Deco style: light walls set against dark wood. ## 5. Bela Bartok Concert Hall ![Bela Bartok Concert Hall](/storage/image/prev/Vengria-5-BBCH-1024x576.jpg) Arguably the finest acoustics in the city, and some would say in all of Europe, can be found at the Bela Bartok Concert Hall, located south of the city center in the Palace of Arts (or Mupa, as the Hungarians call it). Opened in 2005, the 1,500-seat hall is named after the great Hungarian composer Bela Bartok and features a modern interior designed by some of the world's best concert-hall designers. The result is remarkable: as the local joke goes, you can hear mistakes better here, which is enough to make any musician nervous. The Bela Bartok Concert Hall hosts the world's leading international orchestras, but its program also makes room for folk, pop and jazz. ## 6. Budapest Music Center ![Budapest Music Center](/storage/image/prev/Vengria-6-BMC-1024x682.jpg) The Budapest Music Center, the city's newest concert hall since its move to new premises, is an intimate music venue with just 350 seats. It opened in 2013 in a former residential building, keeping the old Neoclassical exterior intact. Inside, however, everything is completely different: carefully engineered acoustics and a modern yet unpretentious decor. It's a very successful blend of old and new. The building is also home to the Opus jazz club, part of the same complex.