Prepare for an enchanting journey at the Opernhaus Zürich, where timeless operatic masterpieces come to life, featuring the extraordinary talents of Camilla Nylund, Tomasz Konieczny, and Brenda Rae. With productions ranging from Wagner's legendary 'Der fliegende Holländer' to Verdi's poignant 'Rigoletto,' this season promises to captivate audiences with its stellar performances and rich storytelling. These carefully curated operas, steeped in cultural and historical significance, will be led by some of the finest conductors and performers, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all who attend.

Operatic Odyssey: A Journey Through Zurich's Masterpieces

Embark on a captivating journey through the rich tapestry of operatic and ballet performances at the esteemed Opernhaus Zürich. This season promises to enchant audiences with a diverse array of productions, including Jonathan Dove's 'In 80 Tagen um die Welt', a whimsical adventure for children and the young at heart; Verdi's gripping 'Un ballo in Maschera', steeped in political intrigue and romantic turmoil; and the evocative tragedy 'Madama Butterfly' by Puccini. From Beethoven's poignant 'Fidelio' to Korngold's haunting 'Die tote Stadt', each performance offers a unique glimpse into the world of opera, making Zürich a cultural haven for art lovers.

An Operatic Odyssey: Discover the Magic of Zürich's Diverse Performances

Opernhaus Zürich is offering a diverse array of events that invite participants to immerse themselves in the worlds of ballet, opera, and theater. From interactive workshops like 'Discover Ballet: Giselle' and 'open space stimme' to insightful guided tours and the enchanting children's opera 'In 80 Tagen um die Welt,' there's something for everyone. Dive into these experiences and gain unique perspectives on the artistry and behind-the-scenes magic of this renowned institution.

Dive into the Arts: Workshops and Tours at Opernhaus Zürich

Opernhaus Zürich opens its doors to a vibrant array of cultural experiences, ranging from immersive ballet workshops and voice exploration to exclusive behind-the-scenes tours and captivating operatic performances. From October 2024 to July 2025, the opera house invites everyone to explore the arts through hands-on workshops, insightful discussions, and guided tours. Whether you’re a dance enthusiast, opera lover, or curious newcomer, these events promise to enrich your understanding and appreciation of performing arts in the heart of Zurich.

Opera and Dance: A Kaleidoscope of Experiences at Opernhaus Zürich

Christopher Willoughby

Alina Adamski

Andrew Owens

Yajie Zhang

Nicholas Mogg

Liliana Nikiteanu

Rebeca Olvera

Indyana Schneider

Felix Gygli

Ruben Drole

Andrew Moore

Irène Friedli

Christian Sturm

Tomislav Jukic

Michael Richter

Hanna Sophie Stejskal

Peter Lund

Ulrike Reinhard

Kathrin Brunner

Franck Evin

Philharmonia Zürich

Statistenverein am Opernhaus Zürich

Opernhaus Zürich

In the middle of his career, Giuseppe Verdi with «created one of his most diverse scores». Embedded in effective ensemble scenes that oscillate between operetta-like, mysterious oracular magic and dark conspiracy drama, Verdi focuses on the private fate of a politician: Riccardo, the governor of Boston, is in love with Amelia, the wife of his best friend and advisor Renato. When the two are discovered during a passionate nocturnal encounter, Renato joins the conspirators and discovers Riccardo's disguise at the masked ball.

A Masked Ball

Zurich Opera House

In William Shakespeare's drama "Romeo and Juliet," the power of love allows two young people to transcend their limitations. The lovers of Verona have conquered the ballet stage thanks to the music of Sergei Prokofiev. He masterfully captured the clash of love and hate, and the juxtaposition of tenderness and violence, in his vibrant, passionate score. Cathy Marston brings the world's most famous love story to the stage with the Zurich Ballet as a world of contrasts, where everything can change in an instant: around the next corner awaits the love of your life, or perhaps death itself.

Romeo and Juliet

In William Shakespeare’s drama «Romeo and Juliet», the power of love allows two young people to transcend ordinary human limitations. Thanks to Sergei Prokofiev’s music, the star-crossed lovers of Verona have conquered the ballet stage. He brilliantly captured the clashing of love and hate and the juxtaposition of tenderness and violence in his colorful, passionate score.

The children's opera orchestra, with instrumentalists from all 35 music schools in the canton of Zurich, performs under the direction of Gianandrea Noseda and Ann-Katrin Stöcker, together with soloists from the Zurich Opera.

Children's Opera Orchestra

Under the musical direction of Gianandrea Noseda and Ann-Katrin Stöcker, the newly founded Kinderopernorchester performs excerpts from «Carmen» and «Hänsel und Gretel» alongside soloists and the Kinderchor der Oper Zürich.

Concert Kinderopernorchester­concert

The work of the piano tuner is indispensable for any concert or opera, but it takes place away from the public eye. As with so many things in life, the pursuit of perfect tuning inevitably leads to compromise, thanks to extenuating circumstances. Music theorist Andreas Werckmeister understood this already at the end of the 17th century, when he toiled to understand the pitfalls of mean-tone temperament, trying to bring structure to the chaos. Alongside Werckmeister's cryptic-philosophical texts, compositions from Schütz to Charles Ives form the starting point for this music theater creation by Swiss theater artist Thom Luz. The work will be presented in the former «Kino Sternen» in Zurich-Oerlikon, which will open as the new «Oper im Quartier» venue starting in the 2026/27 season.

Werckmeister Harmonies

Jules Massanet’s «Werther», based on Goethe’s famous Sturm und Drang novel, is a poignant opera rife with emotion. The music subtly depicts the tense triangle of relationships between a love-sick young Werther, his darling Charlotte, and her staid fiancé Albert. Werther refuses to accept a life without dreams and finally – when faced with his unrequited love – takes his own life. Jonathan Tetlman, of the most successful of the new generation of tenors, makes his debut at the Opernhaus Zürich.

Werther

"Opera Song" by Juan Diego Flórez

Marcos Morau’s « Nachtträume» was the Ballett Zürich highlight of the year in 2022, lauded as a «dance panopticon and abysmal Gesamtkunstwerk of dance, text, music, and impressive images» (NZZ). In his ninety-minute piece, the Spanish choreographer undertakes a disturbing nightmare journey with Ballett Zürich into the realms of power, powerlessness, and mindless allegiance. He succeeds in creating a profound analysis of the present, in which power and vanity, envy and greed for profit, social Darwinism and economic primacy all too often have us in a stranglehold. 

Night dreams

Tannhäuser lived for seven years in the dream world of the Venusberg, but even his return to the stifling society of Wartburg Castle brings no fulfillment. A pilgrim between worlds, he is homeless. The Icelandic director Thorleifur Örn Arnarsson, known for his compelling interpretations of mythical material and grand narratives, stages "Tannhäuser" as an existential drama of identity and a surreal journey into the human psyche. Wagner condensed the search for meaning and stability in a world that seems to be slipping away into a philosophical description of the world.

Tannhäuser

Open-Air-Concert

Sechseläutenplatz

Open-air concert

Opera in two acts by Jonathan Dove (*1959) for children from age 7 and up and the eternally young
based on the novel of the same name by Jules Verne, Libretto by Peter Lund
Commission of the Opernhaus Zürich

In 80 Tagen um die Welt

Articles & News