Graz is the
second-largest city in Austria after Vienna and the capital of the federal
state of Styria (Steiermark). On 1 April 2010 it had a population of 291,890
(of which 258,605 had principal residence status). Graz has a long tradition as
a student city: its six universities have more than 44,000 students. Its "Old
Town" is one of the best-preserved city centres in Central Europe.
Politically and culturally, Graz was for centuries more important for Slovenes
than Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, and still remains influential. In
1999, Graz was added to the UNESCO list of World Cultural Heritage
Sites, and Schloss Eggenberg extended the site in 2010. Graz was sole
Cultural Capital of Europe for 2003 and got the title of a City of
Culinary Delights in 2008.
The Opera House seen on the card is the Second largest opera house in Austria.
Springboard for music careers. "Opera House of the Year" in 2001.
Remarkable attributes for the theatre on the ring road. The architects Fellner
and Helmer, who planned buildings all over Europe, erected it in 1899. A
fascinating contrast to the neo-Baroque building is the steel sculpture
"light sword" by Hartmut Skerbisch (1992). In the Human Rights City
of Graz it is a symbol of open-mindedness and tolerance. Initially, today's
opera house was the municipal theatre and did not exclusively serve music. So
it was opened with Schiller's drama "Wilhelm Tell" on 16 September
1899. Anita from Graz sent me this pretty card.Among the great musicians who have worked at the opera house, especially composer Robert Stolz (director of music at the age of 20) and conductor Karl Böhm rose to fame. Both were also born in Graz.