Zurich Opera House (Opernhaus Zürich)

The Zurich Opera House, the Opernhaus Zürich, one of Europe’s busiest houses, stands at the southern end of the lakeside quays, on Sechseläutenplatz, the large open square beside the Bellevue and Lake Zurich. The building is a Neo-Baroque theatre in a Baroque revival style that was fashionable for grand theatres and that shaped Zurich’s skyline of cultural buildings completed in 1891 by the Viennese architects Fellner and Helmer, who designed dozens of theatres across central and eastern Europe. It was built after the earlier city theatre burned down, and it has served as the city’s main stage for opera and ballet ever since. The facade, with its columns, sculptures and ornate roofline, gives the square a formal frame, and the foyer and auditorium inside are decorated in red, gold and plaster, in the manner of the great 19th-century opera houses.

The house presents a wide programme. Productions of classic repertoire stand beside contemporary works and premieres, and the house is known for staging that is adventurous as well as traditional. The resident ballet company performs here, and the house hosts concerts, song recitals and special events. The orchestra of the house, the Philharmonia Zürich, is based here, and the programme draws international singers and conductors. The opera house is regarded as one of the most active and successful in Europe, and it attracts a large audience from the city and the surrounding region. A modern extension and renovation programme in the late 20th century improved the technical equipment while keeping the historic auditorium.

The square in front is also part of the experience. Sechseläutenplatz is the setting for the spring festival of the same name, in which a snowman figure called the Böögg is burned on a bonfire to predict the weather for the summer, and the open space is used for markets and events throughout the year. In summer, terraces fill with people, and the lake and the Bellevue tram stop are just beside the square. The location makes the opera house easy to reach: trams stop outside, and the lakeside promenade and the old town are a short walk.

Planning is important if you want to see a performance. Tickets are sold through the box office and online, and popular performances sell out well ahead, though returns and cheaper standing places can sometimes be found. The auditorium has a dress code that is relaxed, but many visitors dress up for the evening. Backstage tours are offered at certain times, and the house has a restaurant and bar. Seats vary in view and acoustics, and the staff can advise on the best options for your budget.

The opera house suits music and theatre lovers, architecture fans and anyone who wants an evening of high culture in Zurich. Even without a ticket, a look at the facade and a coffee on the square is worthwhile.