Opéra de Lausanne

Opéra de Lausanne is the opera house of Lausanne, Switzerland, and one of the main stages for classical music in the western part of the country. The building has been deeply rebuilt over the years and now blends historic roots with contemporary architecture and modern stage technology.

What is the Opéra de Lausanne?

It is an opera house with a varied programme: operas from the baroque era through to contemporary works, plus concerts and ballet. That range draws classical regulars as well as audiences looking for newer forms of staging.

How did the opera house begin?

The story starts in the 19th century. A Casino-théâtre was built in 1869 and inaugurated in 1871, with roughly 800 seats. In 1931 it was renovated and enlarged to plans by Charles Thévenaz, raising capacity to 1,101 seats and renaming it the Théâtre municipal. The name "Opéra de Lausanne" only came into use in 1995.

The 2007–2012 renovation

The biggest change came with the renovation carried out between 2007 and 2012 by the architects Devanthéry & Lamunière. They added a stage house and a mirrored façade. The stage renovation completed in 2012 lets the company present everything from baroque to contemporary productions. The auditorium now seats 962.

How many people come?

The venue welcomes about 45,000 spectators every year, which shows it is a real fixture of Lausanne's cultural life and not only a stop on a tourist route.

Why visit?

• A historic building combined with modern architecture, especially the mirrored façade.
• A broad repertoire: opera, concerts and ballet under one roof.
• An auditorium of under a thousand seats, which feels relatively intimate for an opera house.
• More than 150 years of history tied to the city's theatre life.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Opéra de Lausanne the same as the Théâtre de Beaulieu? No. The Théâtre de Beaulieu is a separate hall inside the Palais de Beaulieu complex and is much larger, with 1,844 seats. The opera has its own historic building.

What can I see here? Opera from the baroque period to the present day, as well as concerts and ballet. Check the official website for the current programme before planning your visit.

How many seats does the hall have? After the latest renovation, the auditorium has 962 seats.

Since when has it been called the Opéra de Lausanne? The name has been used since 1995; before that the building was known as the Théâtre municipal.

Is it worth attending a performance during a stay in Lausanne? If you enjoy stage music or architecture, yes. Look up the programme and tickets in advance, since the repertoire changes through the season.

Visiting tip

Try to see the exterior in daylight as well as attending an evening performance. The mirrored façade added during the renovation reflects its surroundings and gives the older structure a contemporary look, while an evening show lets you experience the interior and an auditorium that, since its modernisation, hosts both classic and innovative productions.