Zurich Opera House: Difference between revisions

Opernhaus Zürich
	Opernhaus Zürich in 2019
Address	Sechseläutenplatz 1; Zürich; Switzerland
Type	Opera house
Website
	www.opernhaus.ch

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The Zurich Opera House (German: Opernhaus Zürich) is an opera house in the Swiss city of Zurich. Located at the Sechseläutenplatz, it has been the home of the Zürich Opera since 1891, and also houses the Bernhard-Theater Zürich. It is also home to the Zürich Ballet.

It received the "Opera Company of the Year" award at the 2014 International Opera Awards.^[1]

History

The first permanent theatre in Zürich, the Aktientheater, was built in 1834 and it became the focus of Richard Wagner’s activities during his period of exile from Germany.

The Aktientheater burnt down in 1890. The new Stadttheater Zürich (municipal theatre) was built by the Viennese architects Fellner & Helmer, who changed their previous design for the theatre in Wiesbaden only slightly.

Ruins of the Aktientheater after the fire of 1890

It was built in only 16 months and was opened in 1891^[2] and became the first opera house in Europe to have electrical lighting.^[3]

Share of the Theater-Actiengesellschaft Zürich, issued 1. May 1891^[4]

It was the city's main performance space for drama, opera, and musical events until 1925, when the Bernhard Theater was built for separate plays. Opening in 1941, the Esplanada building was demolished in May 1981, and the present adjoint building opened on 27/28 December 1984 after three years of transition in the Kaufhaus building nearby Schanzengraben. The original theatre was renamed to the Zürich Opera House in 1964.^[5]

By the 1970s, the opera house was badly in need of major renovations; when some considered it not worth restoring, a new theatre was proposed for the site. However, between 1982 and 1984, rebuilding took place but not without huge local opposition which was expressed in street riots.^{[citation needed]} The rebuilt theatre was inaugurated with Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg and the world première of Rudolf Kelterborn’s Chekhov opera Der Kirschgarten.

As restored, the theatre is an ornate building with a neo-classical façade of white and grey stone adorned with busts of Weber, Wagner, and Mozart. Additionally, busts of Schiller, Shakespeare, and Goethe are to be found. The auditorium is built in the neo-rococo style and seats approximately 1200 people. During the refurbishment, the issue of sightlines was not adequately addressed. As a result, the theatre has a high number of seats with a limited view, or no view, of the stage. This is unusual in international comparison, where sightlines in historic opera houses have been typically enhanced over time.^{[citation needed]}

Corporate archives and historical library collections are held at the music department of the Predigerkirche Zürich.^[6]

The Opera House also holds concerts by its Philharmonia orchestra, matinees, Lieder evenings and events for children.^[3]

Opera Studio

The Zürich Opera House is also home of the International Opera Studio (in German: Internationales Opernstudio IOS) which is a educational program for young singers and pianists. The studio was created in 1961^[7] and has renowned artists currently teaching such as Brigitte Fassbaender, Hedwig Fassbender, Andreas Homoki, Adrian Kelly, Ann Murray, Eytan Pessen, Fabio Luisi or Edith Wiens.

Youth protests of 1980

In response to the combination of high subsidies for the Opera and the lack of cultural programs for the youth in Zürich, large protests were held in May 1980. The protests became known as the Opernhauskrawalle youth protests – Züri brännt,^[8] meaning Zurich is burning, as documented in the 1981 Swiss documentary film of the same name.

Financing

Opernhaus Zürich AG is organised pursuant to Swiss law as a company limited by shares and it operates a music theater and Ballet under the authority of Canton of Zurich that has been providing the main funding since 1995.^[3] Both Swiss banks, UBS and Credit Suisse, as well as Rolex are partners of Opernhaus Zürich AG.^[9]

References

^ "Winners 2014". International Opera Awards. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
^ "Tonhalle" (in German). planet-zurich.com. 2010. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2011.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Global Recognition. Zurich sidesteps the opera 'crisis'". SWI swissinfo.ch, a branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation. 25 July 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
^ Anniversary publication of the Theater-Aktiengesellschaft from 2009 (in german)
^ www.update.ch, update AG. "History". www.opernhaus.ch. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
^ "Musikabteilung" (in German). Zentralbibliothek Zürich. Retrieved 2014-12-25.
^ www.update.ch, update AG. "Internationales Opernstudio". www.opernhaus.ch (in German). Retrieved 2019-12-26.
^ "10vor10 - TV - SRF Player" (in German). 10vor10. 2015-01-16. Retrieved 2015-01-16.
^ https://www.opernhaus.ch/

External links

Zürich Opera’s official website
Marco Badilatti (2005). "Opernhaus Zürich, Zürich ZH". In Andreas Kotte (ed.). Theaterlexikon der Schweiz / Dictionnaire du théâtre en Suisse / Dizionario Teatrale Svizzero / Lexicon da teater svizzer [Theater Dictionary of Switzerland] (in German). Vol. 2. Zürich: Chronos. pp. 1350–1352. ISBN 978-3-0340-0715-3. LCCN 2007423414. OCLC 62309181. [1]

47°21′54″N 8°32′49″E / 47.36500°N 8.54694°E / 47.36500; 8.54694

[1] "Winners 2014". International Opera Awards. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2023.

[2] "Tonhalle" (in German). planet-zurich.com. 2010. Archived from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2011.

[SRF_Zurich_Opera_2014-3] "Global Recognition. Zurich sidesteps the opera 'crisis'". SWI swissinfo.ch, a branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation. 25 July 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2019.

[Festschrift_der_Theater-Aktiengesellschaft-4] Anniversary publication of the Theater-Aktiengesellschaft from 2009 (in german)

[5] www.update.ch, update AG. "History". www.opernhaus.ch. Retrieved 2023-07-14.

[6] "Musikabteilung" (in German). Zentralbibliothek Zürich. Retrieved 2014-12-25.

[7] www.update.ch, update AG. "Internationales Opernstudio". www.opernhaus.ch (in German). Retrieved 2019-12-26.

[10v0r10-20150116-8] "10vor10 - TV - SRF Player" (in German). 10vor10. 2015-01-16. Retrieved 2015-01-16.

[9] ttps://www.opernhaus.ch/

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{short description|Opera house}}
-{{mergeto|Zurich Opera|discuss=Talk:Zurich Opera House#Merger proposal|date=June 2008}}
+{{Infobox Theatre
+|name           = Opernhaus Zürich
+|logo_image     =
+|logo_caption   =
+|image          = Opernhaus Zürich - Sechseläutenplatz 2013-08-31 18-30-40.JPG
+|caption        = Opernhaus Zürich in 2019
+|address        = Sechseläutenplatz 1
+|city           = [[Zürich]]
+|country        = Switzerland
+|publictransit  =
+|designation    =
+|latitude       =
+|longitude      =
+|architect      =
+|owner          =
+|capacity       =
+|type           = [[Opera house]]
+|opened         =
+|yearsactive    =
+|rebuilt        =
+|closed         =
+|othernames     =
+|production     =
+|currentuse     =
+|website        = [https://www.opernhaus.ch www.opernhaus.ch]
+}}
+The '''Zurich Opera House''' ({{lang-de|'''Opernhaus Zürich'''|links=no}}) is an [[opera house]] in the Swiss city of [[Zurich]]. Located at the [[Sechseläutenplatz, Zürich|Sechseläutenplatz]], it has been the home of the [[Zürich Opera]] since 1891, and also houses the [[Bernhard-Theater Zürich]]. It is also home to the [[Zürich Ballet]].
-[[File:Opernhaus Zürich.jpg|thumb|250px|The Zurich Opera House.]]
-[[File:Zürich - Enge - Opernhaus IMG_1893.JPG|thumb|250px|Opera and Bernhardtheater, seen over [[Lake Zurich]]]]
+It received the "Opera Company of the Year" award at the 2014 [[International Opera Awards]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Winners 2014 |url=https://operaawards.org/archive/2014/ |website=International Opera Awards |date=30 August 2016 |access-date=9 October 2023}}</ref>
-'''Opernhaus Zürich''' ('''Zurich Opera House''') is an [[opera house]] which has been the [[Zurich Opera]]’s home since 1891. It seats 1,100 people.
 == History ==
-The first permanent theatre, the ''Aktientheater'', was built in 1834 and it became the focus of [[Richard Wagner]]’s activities during his period of “exile” from Germany.
+The first permanent theatre in Zürich, the {{lang|de|Aktientheater}}, was built in 1834 and it became the focus of [[Richard Wagner]]’s activities during his period of exile from Germany.
-The ''Aktientheater'' burnt down in 1890, and the company then moved to the re-built theatre, named the ''Stadttheater Zurich''. Existing as the city’s main performance space for drama, opera, and musical events until 1925, this theatre was renamed as the Opernhaus Zürich and a separate playhouse was built.
+The {{lang|de|Aktientheater}} burnt down in 1890. The new {{lang|de|Stadttheater Zürich}} (municipal theatre) was built by the Viennese architects [[Fellner & Helmer]], who changed their previous design for the [[Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden|theatre in Wiesbaden]] only slightly.
+[[File:Zentralbibliothek Zürich - Nach dem Brand im Aktientheater Zürich Nördlich von der Strasse - 000010559.jpg|thumb|Ruins of the Aktientheater after the fire of 1890]]
+It was built in only 16 months and was opened in 1891<ref>{{cite web |url=http://planet-zurich.com/spots/tonhalle/tonhalle.htm |title=Tonhalle |publisher=planet-zurich.com |year=2010 |language=de |access-date=5 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426022142/http://planet-zurich.com/spots/tonhalle/tonhalle.htm |archive-date=26 April 2012 }}</ref> and became the first opera house in Europe to have electrical lighting.<ref name="SRF Zurich Opera 2014">{{cite web |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/global-recognition-_zurich-sidesteps-the-opera--crisis-/40506522|title=Global Recognition. Zurich sidesteps the opera 'crisis' |publisher=SWI swissinfo.ch, a branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation |date= 25 July 2014 |access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref>
-By the 1970s, the Opernhaus was badly in need of major renovations; when some considered it not worth restoring, a new theatre was proposed for the site. However, between 1982 and 1984, rebuilding took place but not without huge local opposition which was expressed in street riots. The rebuilt theatre was inaugurated with [[Richard Wagner|Wagner]]’s ''[[Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg]]'' and the world première of [[Rudolf Kelterborn]]’s [[Anton Chekhov|Chekhov]] opera ''[[Der Kirschgarten]]''.
+[[File:Theater AG Zürich 1891.jpg|thumb|Share of the Theater-Actiengesellschaft Zürich, issued 1. May 1891<ref name="Festschrift der Theater-Aktiengesellschaft">[http://issuu.com/opernhauszuerich/docs/festschrift?mode=window Anniversary publication of the Theater-Aktiengesellschaft from 2009 (in german)] </ref>]]
-As restored, the theatre is an ornate building with a neo-classical façade of white and grey stone adorned with busts of [[Carl Maria von Weber|Weber]], Wagner, and [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart|Mozart]]. Additionally, busts of [[Friedrich Schiller|Schiller]], [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]], and [[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe|Goethe]] are to be found. The auditorium is built in the [[rococo]] style.
+It was the city's main performance space for drama, opera, and musical events until 1925, when the [[Bernhard Theater]] was built for separate plays. Opening in 1941, the Esplanada building was demolished in May 1981, and the present adjoint building opened on 27/28 December 1984 after three years of transition in the Kaufhaus building nearby [[Schanzengraben]]. The original theatre was renamed to the Zürich Opera House in 1964.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.update.ch |first=update AG |title=History |url=https://www.opernhaus.ch/en/about-us/history-and-architecture/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=www.opernhaus.ch |language=en}}</ref>
-[[Alexander Pereira]] has been Director since 1991 and will remain until summer 2012, when he will be succeeded by [[Andreas Homoki]].
+By the 1970s, the opera house was badly in need of major renovations; when some considered it not worth restoring, a new theatre was proposed for the site. However, between 1982 and 1984, rebuilding took place but not without huge local opposition which was expressed in street riots.{{Citation needed|date=December 2014}} The rebuilt theatre was inaugurated with [[Richard Wagner|Wagner]]’s ''[[Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg]]'' and the world première of [[Rudolf Kelterborn]]’s [[Anton Chekhov|Chekhov]] opera ''[[Der Kirschgarten]]''.
-==See also==
-[[List of opera houses]]
+As restored, the theatre is an ornate building with a neo-classical façade of white and grey stone adorned with busts of [[Carl Maria von Weber|Weber]], Wagner, and [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart|Mozart]]. Additionally, busts of [[Friedrich Schiller|Schiller]], [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]], and [[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe|Goethe]] are to be found. The auditorium is built in the neo-[[rococo]] style and seats approximately 1200 people. {{citation needed-span|date=December 2014|text=During the refurbishment, the issue of sightlines was not adequately addressed.  As a result, the theatre has a high number of seats with a limited view, or no view, of the stage. This is unusual in international comparison, where sightlines in historic opera houses have been typically enhanced over time.}}
+Corporate archives and historical library collections are held at the music department of the [[Predigerkirche Zürich]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zb.uzh.ch/spezialsammlungen/musikabteilung/index.html.de|title=Musikabteilung|publisher=[[Zentralbibliothek Zürich]]|language=de|access-date=2014-12-25}}</ref>
+The Opera House also holds concerts by its Philharmonia orchestra, matinees, Lieder evenings and events for children.<ref name="SRF Zurich Opera 2014"/>
+== Opera Studio ==
+The Zürich Opera House is also home of the International Opera Studio (in German: ''Internationales Opernstudio IOS'') which is a educational program for young singers and pianists. The studio was created in 1961<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.opernhaus.ch/ueber-uns/opernhaus-zuerich/internationales-opernstudio/|title=Internationales Opernstudio|last=www.update.ch|first=update AG|website=www.opernhaus.ch|language=de|access-date=2019-12-26}}</ref> and has renowned artists currently teaching such as [[Brigitte Fassbaender]], [[Hedwig Fassbender]], [[Andreas Homoki]], [[Adrian Kelly]], [[Ann Murray]], [[Eytan Pessen]], [[Fabio Luisi]] or [[Edith Wiens]].
+==Youth protests of 1980==
+In response to the combination of high subsidies for the Opera and the lack of cultural programs for the youth in Zürich, large protests were held in May 1980. The protests became known as the ''[[Opernhauskrawalle]]'' youth protests – ''Züri brännt'',<ref name="10v0r10-20150116">{{cite web|url=http://www.srf.ch/sendungen/10vor10=|title=10vor10 - TV - SRF Player|publisher=[[10vor10]]|language=de|date=2015-01-16|access-date=2015-01-16}}</ref> meaning ''Zurich is burning'', as documented in the 1981 Swiss documentary film [[Züri brännt (film)|of the same name]].
+== Financing ==
+Opernhaus Zürich AG is organised pursuant to Swiss law as a [[Aktiengesellschaft|company limited by shares]] and it operates a music theater and Ballet under the authority of [[Canton of Zurich]] that has been providing the main funding since 1995.<ref name="SRF Zurich Opera 2014">{{cite web |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/global-recognition-_zurich-sidesteps-the-opera--crisis-/40506522|title=Global Recognition. Zurich sidesteps the opera 'crisis' |publisher=SWI swissinfo.ch, a branch of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation |date= 25 July 2014 |access-date=25 July 2019}}</ref>
+Both Swiss banks, [[UBS]] and [[Credit Suisse]], as well as [[Rolex]] are partners of Opernhaus Zürich AG.<ref>https://www.opernhaus.ch/</ref>
+==References==
+{{Reflist}}
 ==External links==
-{{commonscat|Opernhaus Zürich|Zurich Opera House}}
+{{Commons category|Opernhaus Zürich|Zürich Opera House}}
-*[http://www.opernhaus.ch/e/index.php? Zurich Opera’s official website]
+*[http://www.opernhaus.ch/en/ Zürich Opera’s official website]
+*{{Theaterlexikon|Opernhaus Zürich, Zürich ZH|2|1350|1352|author=Marco Badilatti|language=de}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20141223040529/http://theaterwissenschaft.ch/wiki/index.php/Opernhaus_Z%C3%BCrich,_Z%C3%BCrich_ZH]
+{{Authority control}}
-{{coord|47|21|54|N|8|32|49|E|region:CH-ZH_type:landmark|display=title}}
+{{Coord|47|21|54|N|8|32|49|E|region:CH-ZH_type:landmark|display=title}}
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Zurich Opera House}}
 [[Category:Opera houses in Switzerland]]
-[[Category:Theatres in Switzerland]]
 [[Category:Concert halls in Switzerland]]
-[[Category:Buildings and structures in Zürich]]
 [[Category:Cultural property of national significance in the canton of Zürich]]
+[[Category:Tourist attractions in Zürich]]
+[[Category:Theatres completed in 1834]]
-[[de:Opernhaus Zürich]]
+[[Category:Music venues completed in 1834]]
-[[es:Teatro de ópera de Zúrich]]
+[[Category:Theatres completed in 1891]]
-[[fr:Opéra de Zurich]]
+[[Category:Music venues completed in 1891]]
-[[it:Il teatro d’opera di Zurigo (Opernhaus Zürich)]]
+[[Category:Fellner & Helmer buildings]]
-[[ja:チューリッヒ歌劇場]]
-[[no:Opernhaus Zürich]]
+[[Category:Cultural venues in Zürich]]
+[[Category:19th-century architecture in Switzerland]]

Authority control databases
National	Germany 2
Geographic	EUTA theatre Structurae
Other	Theaterlexikon