Berlin State Opera, Opera house on Unter den Linden, Berlin, Germany
The Berlin State Opera is an opera house on Unter den Linden boulevard in the Mitte district of Berlin, Germany. The building displays classical columns and pediments in pale sandstone, while the auditorium features several tiers of balconies and a painted ceiling.
King Frederick the Great commissioned architect Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff to design the building, and it opened in 1742 as the first freestanding opera house built in Germany. After wartime destruction, it was rebuilt several times and underwent extensive renovation between 2010 and 2017.
This house has shaped German opera tradition for generations and continues to stage works by composers from Bach to the present day. Visitors notice the mix of longtime subscribers and newcomers filling the red velvet seats for each season's productions.
Performances usually begin in the early evening, and dress codes range from smart casual to formal attire. The building is accessible for visitors with mobility needs, and arriving at least 30 minutes before showtime helps locate seats comfortably.
The Staatskapelle Berlin, the house orchestra, is one of the oldest ensembles in the world and has existed for more than 450 years. This group accompanies performances here and also gives independent symphony concerts around the city.
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