Opernhaus (Opera House), Dusseldorf

The Dusseldorf Opera House, located on Heinrich Heine Avenue at the edge of the historic city center, serves as both the performance venue and administrative headquarters of the German Opera on the Rhine. Originally constructed between 1873 and 1875 by architect Ernst Giese, this opera house was initially known as City Theater (Stadttheater). Featuring an Italian Renaissance-inspired round frontage and seating for 1,260, the design closely mirrored iconic theaters like the Semperoper in Dresden. Despite being only partially completed by its inauguration on November 29, 1875, the theater continued operating under city management.

In the following decades, the opera house underwent several transformations. By 1925, it had been renamed Opera House, differentiating it from a nearby Operetta Theater. However, the venue was heavily bombed in 1943, reducing seating capacity to 1,000 as repairs allowed performances to continue until 1944. After World War II, extensive restoration and modernization began in 1954, culminating in a reopening in 1956 with Beethoven’s Fidelio. The redesigned space, with a 1,342-seat auditorium and a blend of 1950s stylistic elements, has since gained protected monument status.

Dusseldorf’s opera house also plays a pivotal role in the regional opera scene, reconnecting with Duisburg as part of the German Opera on the Rhine. Major renovations in 2006-2007 brought further modernization, including a striking glass-walled rehearsal studio for ballet and orchestra, facing the Hofgarten and Konigsallee. Today, the opera house accommodates up to 1,296 guests and features a renowned costume collection of 50,000 items, showcasing its rich history on guided tours.