Opera For All

Zurich Opera House steps out of its grand building for one night and brings a free live screening of Bizet's Carmen to the Sechseläutenplatz.

Opera for everyone in Zurich

The opera has something of a reputation for being a show that only posh people enjoy, where not everyone is welcome. That couldn't be further from the case and every year, Zurich Opera House puts on a huge concert to try and engage with those who might not otherwise venture into the Opera House.

There is no cost to get in, and you are encouraged to bring along your own picnic, meaning it really can be a free evening of entertainment. The opera takes place inside the Opera House and is simultaneously broadcast to the big screen out in the square. 

Carmen by Bizet

This year, they have selected Carmen by Bizet as their opera. The story follows rebellious Carmen and her hopelessly devoted lover Don Jose through a tale of smuggling and betrayal in 19th-century Spain. It features some of the most recognisable songs in history, including the Toreador Song, which has featured in numerous other situations, including the podium awards at Formula One and in an episode of Doctor Who. 

An English speaker at a French opera in Switzerland?

It is a French opera, but don't worry, operas have perfected the use of surtitling in live performances. This remarkable technology means this performance will be sung in French but have German and English surtitles too. Surtitles are just like subtitles, but they appear at the top of the screen so nobody's head can spoil the view!

Attending the opera

This is such a great event if you've ever wondered if you might like opera, but don't want to buy a ticket without knowing. The audience will also be full of opera lovers, giving it a jubilant atmosphere, and you might discover a whole new world of music. 

The event starts at 6 pm, and there is a small pre-programme before the opera properly begins at about 8pm. With around 10.000 people attending, we definitely recommend using public transport to get there! The Sechseläutenplatz in Zurich sits directly on the north-east bank of Lake Zurich. It is a 20-minute walk from Zurich Central train station, but just a few minutes from the well-connected train and tram stop of Stadelhofen.

Obviously, we all hope for a beautiful summer's evening, but the event will still take place in the rain. You can keep an eye out for any updates on the Opera For All event page.