If you have already spent some time in Zurich then you know that there are dozens of venues to be found across the city so no matter which of the many Zurich hotels you choose to stay in during your trip to the city you have nearly unlimited access to the arts. And even if it is your first time staying in a Zurich hotel, you will quickly find that Zurich as a city has not only several thousand years of history behind it and some of the best preserved medieval architecture in the world, but also one of the premier opera and theatre cultures in Europe. The highlight of opera for the city is showcased at the Opernhaus Zurich, or Zurich Opera House.
No matter which Zurich hotel you choose to stay in while visiting the city you will find references to this building. In many ways it is a natural landmark as it has been the home of the Zurich Opera since 1891, and was the focus of Richard Wagner’s activities during his stay in the city when he was “exiled” from Germany. The current opera house was actually built upon the base of the first permanent theatre in the city, the Aktientheater, which was initially built in 1834, but burned down in 1890. The company rebuilt the theatre under the name Stadttheater Zurich, and it proved to be the city’s main focal point for theatre, opera and musical events until 1925 when it was renamed as the Opernhaus Zurich and a separate playhouse was built for the theatrical productions. No matter which of the many Zurich hotels you stay in, the history of this legendary building is well known by everyone throughout the city, and you can regularly find brochures and locals willing to discuss the finer points in detail at your convenience.
The opera house as it exists today is the result of a serious renovation project which took place between 1982 and 1984. By the time the 1970s rolled around, the opera house was in severe need of renovations, with many individuals in the local community believing that the building was not worth restoring, and felt that the city would be better served by a new theatre being built on the grounds to provide locals and visitors to Zurich hotels alike with a newer, flashier façade. However, after consideration, it was decided to renovate the old building in order to preserve the history that had been handed down the years, and as you can see once you leave your Zurich hotel behind and take in one of the many shows, the theatre as it exists today is an ornate building with a neoclassical face of white and grey stone adorned with busts of some of the greatest composers in history, including Weber, Wagner, and Mozart, not to mention playwrights including Shakespeare and Goethe.