The Opera House Zurich is one of the must see attractions of the Swiss city. The magnificent building and the enigmatic surrounding predominates the ambiance of the opera. Officially known as the Opernhaus Zürich, this opera house has been home to the Zurich Opera ever since 1891. The opera has a seating accommodation of around 1,100 people. The convenient location of Zurich Opera House at the Falkenstrasse Street makes it easily accessible from all parts of the city.
Background of Zurich Opera House
The first permanent theater in the heart of Zurich was the Aktientheater, built in 1834 and it was the seat of Richard Wagner's activities when he was exiled from Germany. Wagner who was the famous composer of some of the greatest operas of all times. Later in 1890, the Aktientheater was burnt down and the company re-built the Stadttheater Zurich. During that time, it was the main venue for drama, musical events and opera until 1925 Eventually, this theater was renamed as the Opernhaus Zürich and an adjoining, playhouse was built separately.
By the 1970s, Opernhaus was renovated as an ornate building with a neo-classical architecture. The portico is made of white and grey stone ornamented with the busts of Wagner, Weber and Mozart. Later,busts of Schiller, Shakespeare and Goethe were also added. The auditorium is designed in the rococo style. Alexander Pereira has been functioning as the Director of this opera since 1991.
The Zurich Opera House Orchestra Academy
This academy was built during the 1997-98. This
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academy belongs to the Zurich Opera House Academy Association, comprising of young musicians from Switzerland and other parts of the globe. The academy is the best platform to gain first hand experience of playing in a professional orchestra. The students of this academy play an active role in the Zurich Opera House Orchestra’s rehearsals and stage performances. The instructors judge the performances and decide the levels of different students. The trainers judge the performances and decide about their levels. Many renowned guest tutors also come to this academy to deliver music classes. The city’s “Tonhalle” and the Zurich College of Music works in close association with this academy.
Zurich Opera House Choir
Zurich Opera’s professional choir comprises approximately of 60 singers. The group is subdivided into the soprano, tenor, contralto and bass registers. The singers have come from around 15 different countries. The artists also perform at other major European opera houses. There are in total 75 to 100 choir members in this opera house choir. Other than performances in Zurich, this choir has also staged around 110 performances at the Theater Basel and 45 at the Grand Theater in Geneva. These choir singers offers about 200 performances every season.
Opera House, Zurich is a vital venue for both opera and ballet in the city of Zurich. Some of the prominent conductors of the musical shows in the opera include Marco Armiliato, Paolo Carignani, Thomas Barthel, Vladimir Fedoseyev, William Christie and many others.
Zurich Operal house is one of the best cultural venues of Zurich, where people gather to enjoy famous opera or the musical orchestra shows.
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