Berlin State Opera 2026

Berlin State Opera — Staatsoper Unter den Linden

The Staatsoper Unter den Linden opened on 7 December 1742 as the court opera of Frederick the Great, to a design by Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff. Destroyed and rebuilt more than once — its post-war interior is the work of Richard Paulick — the house underwent a seven-year general renovation from 2010, reopening on 3 October 2017 with a raised roof and extended proscenium that markedly improved the acoustics.

Today the theatre seats around 1,350 and is the home of the Staatskapelle Berlin, one of the world's oldest orchestras, with origins in the Prussian court chapel of the 16th century. It presents a season of opera, ballet and concerts on Berlin's grand boulevard between the Brandenburg Gate and Museum Island.

Auditorium and seating

The auditorium follows the classical tiered form: stalls (Parkett) on the main floor, ringed by three ascending tiers (1.–3. Rang) with boxes closest to the stage. Sightlines and prices vary considerably by tier and by row, so the seating plan published for each performance is the reference.

Getting there

The closest U-Bahn station is Museumsinsel (U5), a short walk away; Unter den Linden station (U5/U6) and Hausvogteiplatz (U2) are also nearby. Buses 100, 245 and 300 stop practically at the door on Unter den Linden, and Friedrichstraße S-Bahn station is about a ten-minute walk.

FAQ

When was the house last renovated? A full reconstruction ran from 2010 to 2017; the opera reopened on 3 October 2017 with improved acoustics and stage technology.

How big is the auditorium? Around 1,350 seats across the stalls and three tiers — an intimate size by the standards of major opera houses.

Which orchestra plays here? The Staatskapelle Berlin, the opera's resident orchestra and one of the oldest ensembles in the world.