Opera House: Culture, Drama & the Sächsilüüte Böögg

Every Major European City Has One – But Itchy Feet Forgot It

Opera was born in Italy around 1600 and quickly swept across the continent. By the mid-1600s, cities like Paris, Vienna, London, and St. Petersburg had embraced it, constructing grand opera houses, many of which still host world-class performances today.

Fast forward a few centuries, and almost every major European city has its own opera house, whether centuries-old or strikingly modern. Opera is as deeply woven into European identity as cafés, cobblestones, and cathedrals.

So imagine my surprise when I saw the delightful Itchy Feet comic map of “Every European City”...

And there was no opera house in sight.

A continent practically echoing with arias - and nothing?

Come on. Let’s fix that.

🎼 Zurich’s Opera House: A Lakeside Jewel

Let’s take Zurich as an example. The city’s first large-scale theater, the Actientheater, opened in 1834 in a converted monastery church. It offered 800 seats and gave Zurich a permanent venue for touring productions - finally!

Fast-forward to 1980, when the city invested CHF 60 million into the current Zurich Opera House and its Utoquai extension. The result? A beautifully renovated neo-classical gem with modern amenities and around 1,100 seats, right on Sechseläutenplatz beside Lake Zurich. Prime location, postcard views, and excellent public transport connections - it doesn’t get more central than this.

Zurich’s opera scene is anything but sleepy. Beyond operas and ballets, the house hosts chamber music, recitals, studio productions, and even family performances. International critics have taken note, too: it was named Opera Company of the Year in 2014 and Best Opera House in 2019.

💃 Glamour, Tradition – and Some Context

Until 2019, the Zurich Opera Ball brought glitz and glamour each March, drawing celebrities and music lovers from far and wide for a night of dancing, dining, and mingling with the stars of the stage.

Still, Zurich’s opera house doesn't quite match the global prestige of the Vienna State Opera, La Scala in Milan, or the Opéra Garnier in Paris. Why?

A few reasons:

• Legacy & Tradition: The “big four” have centuries of operatic premieres and legendary performers behind them.

• Size & Scale: Zurich’s intimate 1,100-seat venue contrasts with Vienna’s 1,700+, or Paris’s massive Bastille Opera (2,700 seats).

• World Premieres: The most iconic operas by Verdi, Puccini, and Wagner didn’t debut here.

• Star Power: While Zurich hosts top-tier talent, megastars often prioritize Vienna, Milan, Paris, or New York.

But don’t count Zurich out; it’s respected for its artistic quality, Wagner productions, and ambitious programming. Think refined and consistent, not flashy and legendary.

☃️ From Arias to the Böögg

Even if opera isn’t your thing, the Zurich Opera House is a stunning landmark worth visiting—especially with its gorgeous architecture and lakeside location.

And if Sechseläutenplatz rings a bell… yes, that’s where Zurich’s famous spring festival happens! 

The Sächsilüüte features the burning of the Böögg, a giant snowman whose exploding head predicts the summer weather. (This year’s Sechseläuten is on Monday, April 28.)

🎻 Gowns vs. Hockey Gear?

I’ll admit it - I’m not an opera-goer. The idea of having to dress up to sit still for three hours doesn’t thrill me. Give me my warm boots, a thick jacket, and a hockey match any day.

But what about you? Would it delight you to watch The Magic Flute in a long dress or tux?

Or are you more Böögg bonfire and bratwurst?