Directly opposite the Gewandhaus and in Augustusplatz is the Leipzig Opera, a beautiful building. With its history going back almost 300 years, it is considered to be among the oldest opera venues in Europe. It houses both the opera and the ballet and has had many illustrious composers perform including Richard Wagner, Georg PhilippTelemann and Gustav Mahler. The building has had a tumultuous history and was partly destroyed in the Leipzig bombing during World War II but was reconstructed and opened in 1960. With beautiful pillars and foyers and stunning acoustics, the opera is a fabulous place to watch a performance. It is one of the few opera houses that does not have its own orchestra but relies on the Gewandhaus Orchestra for its performances.