Extra

A new «Ring» for Zurich

Der Ring des Nibelungen

The fall 2023 premiere of Götterdämmerung brought its completion – the new Zurich Ring des Nibelungen under the musical direction of General Music Director Gianandrea Noseda in a production by Intendant and Stage Director Andreas Homoki. Back to the origin is one of the leitmotifs of Andreas Homoki’s overall concept for this monumental work, which tells of nothing less than the creation and demise of a world. 

In spring 2024 we will present all four parts of Richard Wagner’s grand Weltdeutungsmythos – as a cycle in a short chronological presentation of the four works, as intended by the composer. The characters in all four parts are embodied by the same singers – Tomasz Konieczny is Wotan, Camilla Nylund Brünnhilde, Christopher Purves Alberich, Wolfgang Ablinger Sperrhacke Mime and Klaus Florian Vogt Siegfried.

Take Your Seat

At Wotan's Table

In May 2024, the new interpretation of Richard Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen will be presented as a cycle for the first time. To accompany this, we are creating a «Wagner Circle» with an attractive program. It starts with a festive dinner on the main stage in the set of Das Rheingold. You will be joined by the singers, Artistic Director Andreas Homoki and General Music Director Gianandrea Noseda, with entertainer Harald Schmidt leading the evening.

Together with other members of the Wagner Circle, you will not only experience the first cyclical performance of the Zurich Ring, but will also be particularly close to it. You will visit the places where Richard Wagner lived and worked in Zurich and the Wagner Museum in Lucerne and have fun at interval aperitifs.

By taking part, you are supporting the endeavor to record the Zurich Ring and make it accessible worldwide via livestream. All tickets for the Ring cycles are sold out at the moment. We have only reserved a contingent for the Wagner Circle.

Live Broadcast

oper für alle

Every year, the Opernhaus Zürich invites everyone to oper für alle. This free, open-air spectacle is an integral part of Zurich’s cultural calendar. Be a part of it when the majestic Sechseläutenplatz is transformed as more than 10,000 spectators come together to take in George Bizet’s masterpiece Carmen, broadcast live from the Opernhaus with a glittering cast. Bring your friends and family, your folding chairs, blankets, and picnic dinners – or pick something up on site. The whole program kicks off at 6 pm. 

There will be oper für alle again next year. The Opernhaus will be showing Jacques Offenbach's fantastical opera Les Contes d'Hoffmann on the last weekend of the 24/25 season.

15 Jun 2024

Warm-Up

kino für alle

Last year, we already practised with a movie night featuring La La Land and Florence Foster Jenkins, this time we're getting serious and celebrate kino für alle. The evening before oper für alle, two movies will be shown on Sechseläutenplatz, on the big screen and for free. You decide which films these are.

14 Jun 2024

Sat14Sep

Season 24/25

Opening Party

Every year in September, we start the season with a big party before we dive into the daily routine of operating a theater. For a day, the doors of the auditorium, the workshops, backstage, and the studios are open wide. Visitors can look forward to a colorful program from morning until evening, full of lots of behind-the-scenes moments and encounters with artists and staff. It's a day for children, young people and adults, for opera connoisseurs, ballet fans and newbies.

16+ Workshop Series

Clara

Clara Schumann (1819–1896) was arguably the most important pianist of her time and an excellent composer in her own right. In her new ballet, Cathy Marston traces the various aspects of Clara Schumann’s exciting life, marked by highs and lows, which she devoted entirely to music in her various roles as daughter, artist, wife, mother, nurse, manager, lover and muse.

In this series of workshops, we will examine Clara Schumann’s biography and works more closely and gain insights into Clara's rehearsal process.

16+ Workshop Series

Of Light, Wind and Waters

Hans Christian Andersen is Denmark’s most famous author. Even 150 years after his death, his well-known fairytales are still immensely popular. Together with the Danish choreographer and director Kim Brandstrup, the Ballett Zürich will dive into Andersen’s supposed fairytale world.

This workshop series offers participants the opportunity to gain insights into the rehearsal process and learn more about the creation of the ballet Of Light, Wind and Waters

In the Entrance Foyer

Musical Advent Calendar

Pause for 15 minutes a day and escape the hustle and bustle. Artists from the Philharmonia Zürich, the Orchesterakademie, or the International Opernstudio offer 23 concerts held in the Opernhaus foyer, bringing a moment of calm to the often-hectic advent season. The program will be published online daily, or simply stop by and let yourself be pleasantly surprised by what’s on offer... 

Sat15Mar

The Costume Party

overdress!

It’s a party that’s already very nearly legendary – the Opernhaus has already been astounded with exuberant creativity, impressive celebratory frenzy and unbridled joie de vivre at the costume party. In our humble opinion, it’s the greatest party ever! Join us one last time, when it’s time to «overdress!» at the Opernhaus to dance and party to great live bands and DJs on our stages. Come dressed as a shiny disco ball, a Disney princess or a decimal number and dive into an evening that will go down as one for the history books.

 

Weekly Workshops

open spaces

With open spaces, the Opernhaus Zürich offers individuals creative room and a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether old or young, with or without prior experience: everyone is welcome to join on Tuesdays or Wednesdays from 19:00 to 21:00, to experiment with their voices and bodies.

Our open spaces make it possible to encounter the art forms of opera and ballet in a new and active way. The events are free of charge.

Dancing with Neurological Challenges

Connect

Connect is a dance project for people living with neurological challenges, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or Parkinson’s disease and offers participants the opportunity to create connections with themselves and others. Dancing is an activity that has a positive impact on physical and psychological well-being and quality of life, especially for people with neurological conditions. Creativity, ease, balance, expression, posture: all this can be rediscovered in dance.

Discussion Format

ZURICH TALKS DANCE

Three Zurich dance institutions have joined forces to offer fans deeper insights into this multifaceted stage art under the title ZURICH TALKS DANCE. This discussion format offers an opportunity for public exchange on artistic, professional and pedagogical issues in the ballet world. In a wide variety of settings, including talk shows, interviews and online events, the public can learn more about the lives and work of dancers, choreographers, ballet teachers and other creatives in the dance world, as well as meet top dance professionals.

Introductory matinees

We offer introductory matinees for each of our new productions. Join us as dramaturges meet conductors, stage directors, and set and costume designers in conversation to offer their own perspectives on each work. On Sunday mornings a week or two before each premiere, you’ll have the best seat in the house as you learn about what makes each production unique.

Sun Sep 3 2023 La rondine
Sun Okt 1 2023 Walkways
Sun Okt 22 2023 Götterdämmerung
Sun Nov 26 2023 Platée
Sun Jan 14 2024Timekeepers
Sun Feb 4 2024 Die lustige Witwe
Sun Feb 18 2024 Amerika
Sun Mär 24 2024 Carmen
Sun Apr 21 2024  Atonement
Sun Mai 5 2024 L'Orfeo
Sun Mai 26 2024 I vespri siciliani

The introductory matinees are normally held in German.

Behind the scenes

Guided Tours

A variety of guided tours for both young and young-at-heart offer fascinating glimpses behind the scenes of the Opernhaus. Find out more about the history of this former Stadttheater, learn about Opernhaus operations and individual departments of the house, and discover which factors are crucial to a successful production.