Why did Franz Schubert struggle to have his operas performed in Vienna?

Franz Schubert struggled to establish himself in the world of opera in Vienna, despite achieving significant popularity for his songs and dance music in private social circles known as Schubertiaden.1

While he was determined to succeed in the theater and composed several works, he faced consistent rejection and obstacles:

• Institutional Rejection: His most ambitious opera, Fierrabras, was explicitly rejected by the directorate of the prestigious Kärntnertor Theatre in Vienna.1
• Censorship: His operetta Die Verschworenen (The Conspirators) was forced to undergo a title change to Der häusliche Krieg (Domestic Warfare) due to political censorship.1
• Lack of Professional Foothold: Despite his talent, the wider spheres of public opera and major concert venues remained elusive to him throughout his life, and many of his operatic projects remained unfinished or unperformed.1

Although his songs were frequently performed and published, Schubert often felt a profound sense of failure regarding his theatrical ambitions, describing himself during periods of professional struggle as a "frustrated" musician.12