The first permanent theatre in Zurich, the , was built in 1834 and it became the focus of
Richard Wagner’s activities during his period of exile from Germany. The burnt down in 1890. The new (municipal theatre) was built by the Viennese architects
Fellner & Helmer, who changed their previous design for the
theatre in Wiesbaden only slightly. It was built in only 16 months and was opened in 1891 and became the first opera house in Europe to have electrical lighting. It was the city's main performance space for drama, opera, and musical events until 1925, when the
Bernhard Theater was built for separate plays. Opening in 1941, the Esplanada building was demolished in May 1981, and the present adjoint building opened on 27/28 December 1984 after three years of transition in the department store building at the nearby
Schanzengraben. The original theatre was renamed in 1964. By the 1970s, the opera house was badly in need of major renovations; when some considered it not worth restoring, a new theatre was proposed for the site. However, between 1982 and 1984, preceded by the opposing (opera house riots), rebuilding took place. The rebuilt theatre was inaugurated with
Wagner’s
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg and the world première of
Rudolf Kelterborn’s
Chekhov opera
Der Kirschgarten. As restored, the theatre is an ornate building with a neo-classical façade of white and grey stone adorned with busts of
Weber, Wagner, and
Mozart. Additionally, busts of
Schiller,
Shakespeare, and
Goethe are to be found. The auditorium is built in the neo-
rococo style and seats approximately 1100 people. The Opera House also holds concerts by its Philharmonia orchestra, matinees, Lieder evenings and events for children. == Opera Studio ==