Berlin State Opera House, Berlin — Germany. Staatsoper Unter den Linden.
The internationally-acclaimed Berlin State Opera House (Staatsoper Unter den Linden) was built in 1741 and staged its first performance—Carl Heinrich Graun’s Cesare e Cleopatra—in 1742, while the opera house was still being completed. Since that first performance, opera stars such as Gaspar Spontini, Giacomo Meyerbeer, Richard Strauss and many others, have performed here. Not only is it the first freestanding theater in Germany, it is also the world’s oldest state opera. It is a majestic theater, built in the thrilling Prussian classicist style and with a decadent Rococo interior. Audiences from all over the world have come to Berlin to see operas, ranging from the Baroque period to contemporary works.
Like so many other opera houses, it burned down in a nineteenth-century fire. After being reconstructed by Carl Ferdinand Langhans, it reopened in 1844 to be destroyed once again during World War II bombings. It was then rebuilt during the Cold War period, under the German Democratic Republic government. Richard Paulick served as architect. In 1955, it reopened to Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nuremberg. It should be noted that the during the reign of the Nazi Party in Germany, all Jewish musicians who had performed at the Berlin State Opera were exiled from the opera house. Several were even killed.
With the construction of the Berlin Wall, the repertoire was reduced. Classical and romantic operas and ballets, as well as modern musicals, were still performed however. The eventual reunification of Germany saw the Berlin State Opera rejoin the ranks of the international opera community.
It holds 1,396 seats, and considered small in comparison to other Germany opera houses. It has been undergoing substantial renovations since 2010, and led by general director Daniel Barenboim.
Tips for visiting Berlin State Opera House:
Before the Performance:
- If one has the time, spend a moment in Babel Platz, the public square. There, upon the ground, is a glass piece on the ground, showing below it a series of empty bookshelves. This is in remembrance of a dark moment in history: the Nazi Book Burnings.
Dining:
- Delicious canapes, pretzels, and drinks are served before the show.
- For a proper meal, nearby is Borchardt is one of the finest restaurants in Berlin, serving traditional German cuisine.
Outside the Opera:
- Becoming a member offers special access to a number of exclusive benefits.
- Subscribe online to the Berlin State Opera newsletter, and be kept up to to date on the latest productions and special events.
Travel Tips:
- For those traveling by subway, the opera house is within walking distance of the Unter den Linden station.
- However, cabs do line up near the theater, providing one a comfortable way to leave the theater at the end of the night.
Generalsanierung der Staatsoper Unter den Linden (Stand 2014 / Juli):
Wiedereröffnung der Staatsoper Berlin 1986 (Rimkus, Fischer u.v.a.):
Gala Unter den Linden (1976/77, Fricke, Adam, Schreier u.v.a.):
Information:
Berlin State Opera House. Staatsoper Unter den Linden
Unter den Linden 7, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Phone: +49 (30) 20 35 40
Fax: +49 (30) 20 35 44 80
Web: www.staatsoper-berlin.de
Tickets
Phone: +49 (30) 20 35 45 55
tickets@staatsoper-berlin.de
Bismarckstr. 110
Berlin, Germany 10625
+49 30 20354555
www.staatsoper-berlin.de
Posted by Nadia Kovarskaya
