Zurich Opera House

The Opera of Zurich

The Opera of Zurich is a majestic building opened in 1891, one of the most prosperous and productive lyric stages of Europe, elected best opera in the world in 2019. The Zurich audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this strong symbol of the city, a former municipal theatre become an opera house, dedicated to opera, operetta and ballet, and famous for its open-air stages open to all.

From the municipal theatre to the opera house

Here you are facing the majestic Opera of Zurich. Opened to the public in 1891, the building first took the name of theatre of the city, because it served at once as a concert hall, an opera hall and a theatre hall, and even hosted conferences: a sort of very elegant multipurpose hall, in short. Then, some forty years later, when the city inaugurated the new theatre of the Schauspielhaus, the one then called the Stadttheater could devote itself fully to opera, operetta and ballet. It only officially took the name of opera house in 1964. Today, the richness of its programme makes it one of the most prosperous and productive lyric stages of Europe, and a strong symbol of Zurich. Of neo-baroque style, its façade adorned with columns, busts and sculptures commands respect and illuminates the square of the Sechseläutenplatz. The Opera also offers open-air performances, like the opera for all or the ballet for all, that offer access to first-rate shows to a varied public. This openness, combined with the excellence of its productions, earned it to be elected best opera in the world in 2019, at the Opera Awards. A prestigious opera and a cultural symbol, the Opera of Zurich is a fine stop of the discovery of the city.

What to see

Here you admire a majestic neo-baroque opera opened in 1891, a former multipurpose municipal theatre become in 1964 the opera house, dedicated to opera, operetta and ballet; one of the most prosperous lyric stages of Europe, elected best opera in the world in 2019, it also offers open-air shows open to all. The Opera is a cultural symbol of Zurich. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Opera of Zurich stands on the Sechseläutenplatz, near the lake, reachable on foot or by tram. You admire its façade from the square; for shows or tours, it is best to enquire about the programme and the conditions of access, which vary. Open-air performances are sometimes offered. You discover it during a walk.

Why is the Opera of Zurich famous?

Because it is one of the most prosperous and productive lyric stages of Europe, elected best opera in the world in 2019 at the Opera Awards; opened in 1891 as a multipurpose municipal theatre, it became in 1964 the opera house, dedicated to opera, operetta and ballet, and offers open-air shows open to all.

Where is the Opera of Zurich?

On the Sechseläutenplatz, near the lake, in Zurich, in Switzerland.