Alte Oper Frankfurt

Nearly half a million visitors a year attend more than 460 classical and entertainment events, programmes for children, young people and families, congresses and functions - organised by the Alte Oper itself and its partners and tenants. 

The Alte Oper is the place in Frankfurt where the international stars of classical music regularly perform. But the Alte Oper is also a lively place of exchange and encounter. A place to experiment and break with convention. A place to listen, to participate, to engage and to immerse oneself. A place for the mind and the heart. Always in view: the people of the city with their own colourful biographies, their diverse cultural backgrounds and their wonderful willingness to embrace the new! 

As a time-honoured building surrounded by a modern skyline, the Alte Oper is one of the city's most iconic photographic subjects. But behind the historic façade lies a vibrant life in versatile spaces. The Großer Saal, which seats almost 2,500 guests, is and remains the centrepiece, along with the Mozart Saal, the modern, flexible Clara Schumann Foyer, the prestigious Salons and other rooms. The Alte Oper's flexible spatial concepts and state-of-the-art technology make it ideal not only for classical concerts, but also for lavish musical productions, congresses, galas, balls, receptions and much more.

Its name suggests this: The Alte Oper Frankfurt is a theatre with a history. And it begins at the end of the 19th century, when Frankfurt got its own opera house, built according to the plans of the Berlin architect Richard Lucae. The opening on 20 October 1880 was an event for the city and for the 2,000 guests, including Emperor Wilhelm I.

With its prestigious façade, valuable interior and modern stage technology, the opera set the standard in German theatre for 60 years - until the building was destroyed by air raids in March 1944.

It was largely thanks to the efforts of local citizens that the theatre on Opernplatz was able to celebrate its rebirth after decades as 'Germany's most beautiful ruin'. On 28 August 1981, the 'Alte Oper Frankfurt Concert and Congress Centre' was inaugurated in its traditional location; a new chapter began with Gustav Mahler's Eighth Symphony conducted by Michael Gielen ...

When it was reopened as a concert and congress centre in 1981, a new spirit returned to the old walls. All the great international orchestras have performed here, and stars of classical music and pop entertainment from A for Claudio Abbado to Z for Zappa have created great moments. Also unforgettable are the many festivals of recent decades, most recently the Musikfest and the Fratopia Festival, as well as projects with Marina Abramović, Daniel Libeskind and, most recently, Sebastião Salgado, which have brought the Alte Oper national and international attention. The theatre's profile also includes guest performances of renowned musical productions, an independent congress department and an extensive programme for children and young people.

Both the theatre's glorious past and its more recent success story are due in no small part to the unparalleled commitment of Frankfurt's citizens. At the end of the 19th century, 67 Frankfurt businessmen donated 480,000 florins (around 370,000 euros) to make the planned new opera house possible. In 1964, it was a Frankfurt citizens' initiative that gave the impetus for the reconstruction and raised a total of DM 15 million in donations. And today it is the many private individuals, united in the Society of Friends, who generously and reliably support the theatre.

From this continuing trust of Frankfurt's citizens, the Alte Oper derives a responsibility: to always keep the people of the city in mind in its programme, to do justice to the diversity of the city's society and to see itself as an open house where everyone is welcome.

Credits: Chronik © Institut für Stadtgeschichte; alle anderen Motive © Alte Oper Frankfurt (wenn nicht anders angegeben)