Alte Oper Theater

Address: Opernplatz 1, 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Website: https://www.alteoper.de

Hours: Box office Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-2pm; event hours vary

Admission: Guided tours €7 (reduced €4); concert tickets vary by performance

The Alte Oper is a historic former opera house and current concert and events venue on Opernplatz in central Frankfurt am Main, Hesse. Completed in the late 19th century, it was rebuilt after wartime damage and now functions as a major cultural center.

The restored façades and grand steps form a prominent city-centre landmark, and the interior hosts a varied programme of orchestral concerts, recitals and corporate events. The main hall seats roughly 2,500, while smaller halls accommodate chamber performances and conferences.

Opened in the late 19th century as Frankfurt’s principal opera house, the building was severely damaged during World War II. A long restoration campaign returned the building to public use and it reopened in 1981 as a concert and events venue rather than a permanent opera house.

Located on Opernplatz in the city centre, the Alte Oper sits between Frankfurt’s commercial districts and pedestrian shopping streets, within easy walking distance of public transport hubs and the Zeil.

• Dates of construction and reopening: Originally completed in 1880, the building was heavily damaged in World War II and the restored structure was reopened as a concert and event venue in 1981.

What to See#

• Großer Saal (Main Hall): The main concert auditorium, rebuilt and refurbished after World War II damage; the ‘Großer Saal’ seats roughly 2,500 and hosts symphony concerts and large events.
• Mozartsaal / Small Hall: A smaller hall used for chamber concerts, recitals and corporate events, offering a more intimate performance space within the building.

From Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof take S-Bahn lines S1-S6 or S8-S9 to Hauptwache (about 2 minutes) and walk east ~8-10 minutes to Opernplatz; U-Bahn lines U6/U7 stop at Alte Oper. By car, Opernplatz sits in central Frankfurt-limited parking nearby; public transit is recommended.

• Arrive 20-30 minutes before a concert to watch the house fill and to catch the light on the Neo-Renaissance façade at sunset.
• Use the Alte Oper U-Bahn stop (lines U6/U7) or walk 8-10 minutes from Hauptwache; the square in front is the best place for photos.
• If the programme lists 'Saal' and 'Großer Saal', choose the Großer Saal for the grandest acoustics and the most ornate interior details most visitors miss.