Zurich Opera House (Opernhaus Zürich)

The basics

The Zurich Opera House is home to the Zurich Opera, the Bernhard-Theater Zurich, and the Zurich Ballet. It was designed by Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer and was built on the site of a theater that burned down in 1890. The auditorium seats up to 1,100 people, and the detailed paintings on the ceiling keep visitors entertained before the shows even start. Hundreds of operas, ballets, recitals, and other concerts are held here annually, and it’s one of the most internationally acclaimed venues of its kind. Whether or not you catch a performance here, the Zurich Opera House is worth seeing. You can visit with a ticket to a show, or as part of a guided tour.

Things to know before you go

• Four wheelchair spaces are reserved for each performance, and adults accompanying wheelchair users receive discounted tickets.

• The Bernhard Bar Cafe serves refreshments.

• The dress code is formal, even for matinee performances.

• If buying tickets for a performance, check your designated seats carefully before committing, as it’s very difficult to see the stage from some seats.

• Surtitles are usually provided in German and English.

How to get there

The Zurich Opera House is located on Falkenstrasse, on the northeast shore of Lake Zurich. It’s within walking distance of the Old Town area as well the large Zurich Stadelhofen train station, which connects to many other parts of the city.

When to get there

Most performances are held in the evenings, with some matinees as well. If you come in the weeks leading up to Christmas, you should try to arrive early to browse the Christmas market just outside the Opera House. Guided tours in German are held on Saturday afternoons and last 90 minutes.

Visit the Lausanne Opera

Classical music lovers should also check out the Lausanne Opera in the city of Lausanne, near Geneva. Opened in 1871, it produces and co-produces its own performances, which are held every month of the year.