Oper Frankfurt

Oper Frankfurt is an opera house and opera company in Frankfurt am Main, housed in an early 1950s modernist building with clean concrete lines and large windows. The main auditorium seats around 1,350 people and features a large stage with technical facilities that allow complex set designs and rapid changeovers.

Reconstruction began in 1949 after the old building from 1880 was destroyed during World War II, and the new house opened in October 1951. The sober modern architecture represented the city's determination to restore cultural life after the war years while also marking a clear break from the past.

The ensemble performs around 280 times each season, covering everything from Baroque through Mozart to contemporary premieres that often mix experimental staging with modern set design. Many singers stay with the company for several years and develop a repertoire they perform repeatedly before Frankfurt audiences.

Visitors can reach the house by subway or tram, with several stops nearby that require only a short walk to the entrance. Tours are available in different languages and show the auditorium as well as areas behind the stage, though availability depends on the rehearsal schedule.

The stage machinery includes a rotating platform and hydraulic lifts that enable crews to switch between different productions within a few hours. On certain evenings, performances of different operas follow one another directly in the same house, allowing a tight schedule without extended rebuild breaks.