Three major opera houses - seven world-class orchestras - two concert halls - one neighbourhood opera house: Berlin is truly a paradise for all fans of classical music and thrilling opera productions. And typical of Berlin, its opera scene is also young and lively, full of exciting experiments and surprising discoveries. In Berlin's opera houses, there is no dress code with evening dress and suit, everyone is welcome to discover and enjoy the world of beautiful sounds.
And an evening at the opera doesn't have to be expensive either: there are numerous great offers and discounts.
We have taken a closer look around and put together 11 selected tips.
Tip 1: Listen to our podcast Berlin Unboxed
Curtain up for Berlin's operas - that's the title of this episode of our Podcast Berlin Unboxed. We talk about the many facets of Berlin's opera scene on the way from the underground to the Staatsoper and explain what connects the design of the Museumsinsel underground station with the opera.
Spoiler: It's the ceiling.
We then take a look behind the scenes of the oldest opera house in the capital with Antony Shelley, prompter at the Berlin State Opera. What is the work of a prompter like? What does he actually see of the performance? And what is his favourite opera?
The podcast is a good introduction to the opera landscape with lots of exciting anecdotes (in German only).
Tip 2: Celebrate Staatsoper für Alle
Richard Strauss' Alpine Symphony is a cinema for the ears, illustrating a mountain landscape in a tone-painting style. Christian Thielemann and the Staatskapelle Berlin will take you to the mountains when they perform the piece on Bebelplatz. With this open-air concert - and free admission - the Staatsoper traditionally bids farewell to the summer break. Beforehand, there will be Dvořák's Slavonic Dances with the opera children's orchestra at 6 p.m.
So pack a picnic basket and a blanket, make yourself comfortable on Bebelplatz and go on a hike through the Alps in your mind.
When: 13 July, 8 pm
Where: Bebelplatz, Mitte
Tip 3: Take a look behind the scenes of the operas
What does it actually look like backstage? On the guided tours through the opera houses you will discover completely new perspectives. The Staatsoper, Deutsche Oper and Komische Oper in the Schillertheater will open their doors to you and let you take a look behind the scenes.
You can find the dates for the guided tours in the programmes of the respective houses and in our calendar of events.
Tip 4: Cry at Tosca
You want the big emotions and classical arias? Then you will surely love Puccini's wonderful opera Tosca - which you can see several times in Berlin. The legendary production at the Deutsche Oper dates back a loing time, but has lost none of its appeal. On 16 and 23 June, the great tenor Vittorio Grigolo will sing - and act with full physical commitment - the role of Cavaradossi.
Tip 5: Celebrate Figaro's wedding
Mistaken identities, love intrigues and wonderful duets, arias and melodies ...
Mozart's opera Le nozze di Figaro is simply captivating. In the new production at the Komische Oper, you can join in the excitement of the interplay of love. The play premieres on 27 April under the direction of Kirill Serebrennikov, who has already staged Mozart's Così fan tutte. He will then bring Don Giovanni to the stage in 2025, completing Mozart's so-called Da Ponte trilogy.
When: Premiere on 27. April
Where: Komische Oper im Schillertheater, Charlottenburg
Tip 6: Discover GDR operettas
Hilarious musical theatre from the GDR: with Messeschlager Gisela, the Komische Oper begins a series of new productions of GDR operettas. With snappy melodies and in the beautiful ambience of the Art Deco mirrored marquee at Rothaus Rathaus, this original production is sure to be a hit. The original definitely one: after its premiere in 1960, there were 25 new productions of the cheerful operetta in just one year.
When: Premiere on 8 June
Where: Tent at the Rotes Rathaus, Mitte
Tip: 7: Enjoy the Ring of the Nibelungs
Rheingold, Walküre, Siegfried, Götterdämmerung: this is certainly something for the more advanced opera fans, but if you want to immerse yourself in the dark world of the Nibelungen, experience Hagen's betrayal and Götterdämmerung, then the Deutsche Oper is the right place for you in May. On four evenings, you can indulge in the compelling music of Wagner and follow the fate of the Nibelungs
When: 11 May to 2 June
Where: Deutsche Oper Berlin, Charlottenburg
Tip 8: Immerse yourself in the melancholy of resistance
Do you prefer modern pieces with contemporary music? The Staatsoper presents a cinematic opera in which music theatre and film meet. The French composer Marc-André Dalbavie has developed fascinating soundscapes for The Melancholy of Resistance, which mould our current attitude to life into melodies.
When: Premiere on 30 June
Where: Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Mitte
Tip 9: Ask about the future of AI
The Neuköllner Oper explores the future of musical theatre in the age of artificial intelligence. The play ANNA & EVE is about the power of music, the development of AI and the question of how far it can become creative. Human and AI-generated texts and pieces of music intersect. An exciting experiment with current relevance!
When: Premiere on 24 April
Where: Neuköllner Oper, Neukölln
Tip 10: Party at the opera house
Clubbing and classical music, electro and arias, turntables and violins: At the end of the season, the Deutsche Oper Berlin will become a techno club that dissolves all apparent contrasts between classical and electronic music. That's when the Playground Festival takes place in the Tischlerei of the opera house and will get everyone dancing. Let's go to the opera rave!
When: 5 July
Where: Tischlerei at the Deutsche Oper, Charlottenburg
Tip 11: Experience the really big opera
The Komische Oper kicks off the 2024/25 season with a special performance. Handel's oratorio Messias will be performed in Hangar 1 at Tempelhof Airport - and on a grand scale. A choir of hundreds of voices will sing, befitting the size of the hangar. This promises to be an extraordinary experience
