The Opernhaus Zürich at Sechseläutenplatz is one of the leading opera houses in Europe and home to the Philharmonia Zürich. The magnificent building in historicist style from 1891 with around 1,100 seats has been comprehensively renovated several times; the house preserves its historic charm with state-of-the-art stage technology. Richard Wagner lived in exile in Zurich from 1849 to 1858 and was a regular visitor to the predecessor stage — he began the conception of the Ring of the Nibelung here. Under directors like Alexander Pereira (1991-2012) and Andreas Homoki since 2012, the house has been repeatedly voted the best opera house in the German-speaking region. The repertoire includes classics and contemporary works equally.
During his Zurich years, Wagner reportedly disturbed the neighbours with nocturnal piano playing so much that one resident complained to the landlord in writing.
At a glance
- Type
- Opera house
- Location
- Zurich, Switzerland
More venues in Zurich
- Schauspielhaus Zürich · Theatre, Zurich
More venues in Switzerland
- Grand Théâtre de Genève · Opera house, Genf
- Luzerner Theater · Multi-genre theatre, Luzern
- Opernhaus Biel · Opera house, Biel
- Stadttheater Bern · Multi-genre theatre, Bern
- Theater Basel · Multi-genre theatre, Basel
- Theater St. Gallen · Multi-genre theatre, St. Gallen
- Theater Winterthur · Multi-genre theatre, Winterthur