"The Magic Flute" is one of the most enigmatic masterpieces in the history of opera. Mozart's last opera transports the listener to a world of magic, trials, and mysterious symbols, telling a story of the search for inner strength, maturity, and the overcoming of fears. Between light and shadow, a universal interplay of human experiences unfolds – carried by Mozart's profound music and its compelling appeal to humanity. The new production is directed by Daniele Finzi Pasca from Ticino, whose poetic stage language uniquely blends theater, acrobatics, and circus. 

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The Magic Flute

Opernhaus Zürich

A bottle labeled "Drink me!" that shrinks you, a cake that makes you grow immeasurably after you eat it, a Mad Hatter who celebrates his unbirthday 364 days a year – these and many other curious adventures await Alice after she follows a rabbit and falls down a hole. Is it all really just a dream? Lewis Carroll's classic children's book has captivated generations of theater and filmmakers, including the Italian composer Pierangelo Valtinoni. His poetic music, as well as Nadja Loschky's imaginative and fast-paced direction, thrilled audiences at the Zurich premiere.

Alice in Wonderland

plendor and misery lie close together in the life of the courtesan Violetta Valéry. Celebrated as an enigmatic beauty at lavish Parisian parties, she is forced to abandon her great love for Alfredo due to bourgeois conventions. With this opera about a "whore," as Giuseppe Verdi himself called her, he shocked the audiences of his time. His sharp critique is directed against the hypocritical practices of society, while he imbues Violetta herself, on her path of suffering, with the aura of a saint. With keen psychological insight, director Christof Loy draws inspiration from the aesthetics of Verdi's era. Under the direction of Joana Mallwitz, the young Spanish soprano Marina Monzó makes her debut in the title role.

La traviata

Hanna Glawari is the woman around whom everything revolves: emancipated, beautiful, intelligent, and the heiress of 20 million. Desired in Paris, she is destined for only one man, who simply cannot bring himself to utter the words "I love you." Director Barrie Kosky staged this ambiguous and successful early modern operetta with great opulence. Alongside quirky slapstick and revue flair, he highlights the waltz-infused nostalgia and the emotional depth of the piece. Soprano Diana Damrau makes her role debut in the title role in this revival.

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"Die Walküre" takes us from the mythical realm of the gods into the world of men: Siegmund and Sieglinde are consumed by a forbidden love that defies all laws and threatens to undermine Wotan's power plan. In his conflict with Fricka, the father of the gods recognizes his hero's lack of freedom and sacrifices him. Brünnhilde's defiance is severely punished: Wotan puts her into a deep sleep and encircles her with a ring of fire that only a fearless hero can traverse. With the "Ride of the Valkyries" and the "Magic Fire," the music of "Die Walküre" contains some of the most famous passages of the "Ring." Camilla Nylund and Eric Cutler sing Brünnhilde and Siegmund in this continuation of the Zurich "Ring" interpretation by Andreas Homoki and Gianandrea Noseda.

The Valkyrie

A decision that irrevocably changes the world. "Doctor Atomic" depicts the dramatic night before the first atomic bomb test. At its heart is physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, torn between scientific triumph and moral responsibility. John Adams's captivating drama, with a libretto by Peter Sellars, is based on historical accounts, poems, and documentary statements. It offers a multifaceted perspective on the destructive power of human invention. Internationally renowned artist Vanessa Beecroft, known for her monumental and provocative tableaux of the human body that straddle performance, conceptual art, and sculpture, makes her directorial debut at the Zurich Opera House with this production.

Doctor Atomic

Romeo and Juliet are outsiders in a world of rigid social conventions. In Charles Gounod's French opera, they meet at a ball: Juliet introduces herself with a lively waltz aria, while Romeo has slipped in with friends. From this fleeting moment blossoms love at first sight – and the beginning of a story as passionate as it is fateful. American director Ted Huffman focuses on the essentials, setting the action on a simple dance floor. In doing so, he once again proves himself a "delicate observer of gestures, moods, and glances" (NZZ). The young Armenian soprano Juliana Grigoryan and the star tenor Juan Diego Flórez embody the lovers.

Romeo and Juliet

A gold rush camp in California: here, only the strongest prevail. Minnie's Bar becomes a refuge for a society without firm social norms. When Minnie falls in love with the bandit Johnson, the fragile order finally crumbles. In her production of Giacomo Puccini's Western opera, director Lydia Steier paints a picture of a community marked by isolation and violence, where the spiral of brutality turns relentlessly. Marco Armiliato conducts the richly textured score. Anja Kampe, Jonas Kaufmann, and Tomasz Konieczny star in the leading roles.

La fanciulla del west

With the children's opera "The Thief Lord," the Zurich Opera House is staging a new performance: the former "Sternen" cinema in Zurich-Oerlikon will become the setting for a gripping musical theatre adventure. In Cornelia Funke's novel of the same name, an abandoned cinema also becomes the refuge of a gang of orphans led by Scipio. Brothers Prosper and Bo find shelter here from their aunt and the persistent detective Victor, who is hot on their trail. A mysterious mission puts everyone in danger. The libretto by Swiss playwright Andreas Sauter will be set to music by three composition students from the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK).

Lord of Thieves

A coup attempt and his best friend a conspirator – yet Tito would rather relinquish his throne than base his power on fear and terror. "La clemenza di Tito" is a work that poses timeless questions about the use of power, guilt, and forgiveness. Mozart's late opera seria contains some of his most fascinating arias and ensembles. The rising tenor Giovanni Sala sings Tito, while Cecilia Bartoli interprets Sesto, one of her signature roles. The historically informed Orchestra La Scintilla performs under the direction of Gianluca Capuano.

La clemenza di Tito

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was only fifteen years old when he composed "Ascanio in Alba." Celebrated throughout Europe as a child prodigy, he received the prestigious commission from Empress Maria Theresa for the wedding of her son, Archduke Ferdinand, in Milan. The work is an allegorical festival drama: Venus unites her son Ascanio with the nymph Silvia, who is of divine lineage. Magnificent choruses, a festive orchestra, and virtuosic arias in the style of opera seria made the serenata a resounding success at its premiere. Christophe Rousset and his ensemble Les Talens Lyriques will be performing this concert version at the Zurich Opera House for the first time.

Ascanio in Alba

Rinaldo is tasked with liberating Jerusalem. But the valiant crusader falls into the fatal clutches of the Saracen sorceress Armida. While the religious and political conflicts at stake remain controversial to this day, Handel's opera ultimately sees the transcendent power of love bring about peace. With unforgettable arias like "Lascia ch'io pianga" and spectacular stage effects, Handel's first operatic work for London captivated audiences and established a lasting passion for Italian opera. At the Zurich Opera House, Philippe Jaroussky conducts a top-tier Baroque ensemble, with Christophe Dumaux, Regula Mühlemann, and Jeanine De Bique in the solo roles.

Rinaldo

"Tosca" is an operatic thriller about desire, betrayal, and the abuse of power. With the title character, Puccini created a figure who has dedicated her life entirely to the stage. Robert Carsen directs a subtle drama about appearance and reality, theater and truth. Under the musical direction of Carlo Rizzi, Maria Agresta and Sonya Yoncheva alternate in the title role, Charles Castronovo and Yusif Eyvazov sing Cavaradossi, and Ludovic Tézier and Gabriele Viviani portray the power-hungry Scarpia.

Tosca

The work of a piano tuner is indispensable for all concert and opera performances, yet it takes place behind closed doors, away from the public eye. The pursuit of perfect tuning, like so much in life, inevitably leads to compromise due to external constraints. This was already recognized by the music theorist Andreas Werckmeister, who, in the late 17th century, grappled with the intricacies of meantone temperament and sought to bring order to the system. Werckmeister's cryptic-philosophical texts and compositions, ranging from Schütz to Charles Ives, form the starting point for the music theater creation of the Swiss theater director Thom Luz.

Werckmeister Harmonies

Amidst the everyday dreariness of a small village, Nemorino tries to win the heart of the wealthy landowner Adina. He pins his hopes on a supposed "love potion" which he acquires from the shady Dr. Dulcamara. This potion is said to take effect after 24 hours. With Gaetano Donizetti's "melodramma giocoso," composed during the early industrial era, director Julia Lwowski makes her debut at the Zurich Opera House. The stage design is by artist Mika Rottenberg, whose playful fantasy worlds question the absurdity of modern production.

L'elisir d'amore

This special concert project is dedicated to one of the iconic figures of literary history: Ophelia from Shakespeare's "Hamlet." Between self-empowerment and tragic failure, her fate unfolds in a world dominated by patriarchal power. Conductor Raphaël Pichon weaves together music from Ambroise Thomas's "Hamlet," Berlioz's "Tristia, Op. 18," and Fauré's "Requiem" into a compelling musical portrait that illuminates the various facets of Ophelia's character. Alongside soprano Sabine Devieilhe and baritone Huw Montague Rendall, the Zurich Opera Orchestra and Chorus will perform.

Requiem for Ophélie

The aging and headstrong Don Pasquale dreams of marrying a young woman. But his supposed bride turns out to be a cunning schemer: the self-assured Norina and the shady Dottor Malatesta play a cruel trick on the old man, a blend of comedy and hurt. "Don Pasquale" is one of Gaetano Donizetti's last operas. This dramma buffo showcases the composer's mastery and keen understanding of human nature, written shortly before the tragic end of his life. Director Christof Loy presents Donizetti's classic beyond all buffo clichés, with a subtle, bittersweet touch. The title role is sung by Johannes Martin Kränzle, one of the most distinguished character actors of our time.

Don Pasquale

The biblical story of Samson and Delilah, set in ancient Gaza, illustrates how closely emotions and politics have always been intertwined. To break the power of the Hebrews, the priestess Delilah seeks to uncover the secret of Samson's strength and feigns love for him. But Samson's revenge is terrible when he brings down the temple of Delilah's people, killing himself in the process. Among the most poignant moments in Camille Saint-Saëns' most successful opera is Delilah's seduction scene, "Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix" (My heart opens to your voice). Mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb and tenor Stanislas de Barbeyrac make their stage debuts in the title roles under the direction of Gianandrea Noseda. Evgeny Titov, who skillfully combines sensuality with psychological depth in his work, directs.

Samson and Delilah

Cantautrice – singer-songwriter – Liedermacherei: they all attempt to describe it, that hybrid entity between music and poetry. But is it an entity? Or is it a place? In Sophie Hunger's musical fantasy "Rise and Fall at Hotel Hunger," we are transported there, blossoming and disintegrating in a life between music and word, body and mind, intoxication and senses. In a single night, from sunset to dawn, Sophie Hunger and her polyphonic ensemble wander through spaces, time zones, and identities in search of a new dawn. In doing so, the cantautrice unites what opera divides: composition, libretto, and interpretation. Her ensemble, too, merges time zones and social classes; transverse flutes, synthesizers, acoustic guitar, and celesta give voice to the divided voices within us. Sophie Hunger makes her debut at the Zurich Opera this evening – and with her, the art of song in its modern form.

Opera events in Zürich

The Magic Flute

Opernhaus Zürich

Alice in Wonderland

Opernhaus Zürich

La traviata

Opernhaus Zürich

The Merry Widow

Opernhaus Zürich

The Artelize Podcast Pres...

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The Artelize Podcast: 'Am...

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The Artelize Podcast and ...

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The Artelize Podcast - A ...

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The Valkyrie

Opernhaus Zürich

Doctor Atomic

Opernhaus Zürich

Romeo and Juliet

Opernhaus Zürich

La fanciulla del west

Opernhaus Zürich

Lord of Thieves

Opernhaus Zürich

La clemenza di Tito

Opernhaus Zürich

La clemenza di Tito

Opernhaus Zürich

Ascanio in Alba

Opernhaus Zürich

Rinaldo

Opernhaus Zürich

Tosca

Opernhaus Zürich

Werckmeister Harmonies

Opernhaus Zürich

L'elisir d'amore

Opernhaus Zürich

Requiem for Ophélie

Opernhaus Zürich

Don Pasquale

Opernhaus Zürich

Samson and Delilah

Opernhaus Zürich

Hotel Hunger

Opernhaus Zürich