Things to do in Zurich

Zurich Opera House: history, ballet and tips for your evening

The Opera House on Sechseläutenplatz describes itself as Switzerland’s largest cultural institution, with 15 to 17 new productions and over 300 performances a year. It is also the home of the Zurich Ballet.

Address
Sechseläutenplatz 1, 8008 Zürich
From Zürich HB
S-Bahn to Stadelhofen, then a few minutes on foot
Seats
About 1,100
Tickets
Programme and tickets
Neo-classical façade of the Zurich Opera House on Sechseläutenplatz
The Opera House on Sechseläutenplatz. Photo: “Opernhaus Zürich - Sechseläutenplatz 2013-08-31 18-30-40.JPG” by Roland Fischer, Zürich (Switzerland), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.

The house

The present building was designed by the Viennese theatre architects Fellner & Helmer and built in only 16 months. It opened in 1891 as the "Stadttheater" with Wagner’s "Lohengrin". The neo-classical façade is adorned with busts of Weber, Wagner and Mozart, as well as Schiller, Shakespeare and Goethe; the auditorium is in neo-rococo style and seats about 1,100 people.

The Zurich Ballet, which the house calls Switzerland’s largest professional ballet company, is based at the Opera House. The house’s own orchestra was founded in 1985. The Opera House is still run by a public limited company with around 2,500 private shareholders; the Canton of Zurich has been its main subsidiser since 1995. In 2014 it was named "Opera Company of the Year" at the International Opera Awards.

A short history

  • Zurich’s first permanent theatre, the "Actien-Theater", opened in 1834 with Mozart’s "Magic Flute"; it was founded by citizens as a joint-stock company.
  • After the Actien-Theater burnt down in 1890, the present building was erected and opened in 1891.
  • Since 1921 musical theatre and drama have been separate in Zurich; the building has been called the Opera House since 1964.
  • In May 1980 large youth protests erupted over high opera subsidies and the lack of cultural programmes for young people.
  • The house was completely renovated in 1982–1984 and extended on Utoquai with a second, studio stage.

Tips for your visit

  • There is no dress code – dress to feel at ease; premieres and galas tend to be more formal.
  • Almost all operas are sung in the original language, generally with German and English surtitles (not equally visible from all seats).
  • Performances start on time; latecomers are admitted only after the break.
  • Photos, sound and video recordings are not permitted during performances. Coats and large bags go to the free cloakroom.
  • Zürich Tourism mentions open-air performances such as "Opera for All" or "Ballet for All" – check the Opera House programme.

Getting there from Zürich HB

  • S-Bahn to Zürich Stadelhofen, then a few minutes on foot.
  • By tram from the city centre: lines 11 and 15 to the stop "Opernhaus", or to "Bellevue" and walk.
  • The lake promenade at Utoquai is right behind the house – see Lake Zurich.