Stadttheater Bern

Overview

Konzert Theater Bern (formerly Stadttheater) is the city's principal performing arts venue, staging opera, ballet, drama, and concerts since its inauguration in 1903. The ornate Jugendstil building sits near the Bundeshaus and the Kleine Schanze park.

Highlights

• Opera & Ballet Season: A repertoire ranging from Mozart and Verdi to contemporary dance and experimental theatre.
• Jugendstil Architecture: The 1903 building features a richly decorated façade, a chandelier-lit foyer, and ornamental ceilings.
• Intimate Scale: The main auditorium seats approximately 680, ensuring excellent sightlines and acoustics.

History

Designed by architect René von Wurstemberger and inaugurated in 1903, the theatre replaced Bern's older performance venues. It was renamed Konzert Theater Bern in 2011 when two separate arts institutions merged. Despite periodic modernisation, the building's Belle Époque charm has been carefully preserved.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Book tickets early for popular opera premieres — the intimate house sells out quickly.
• Tip 2: Pre-performance drinks in the foyer are part of the experience; arrive 30 minutes early.
• Duration: 2–3 hours (performance).