Zurich Opera House
The unique ensemble of the Zurich Opera House enchants domestic and international audiences alike with its performances from both the classical and modern repertoire.
Opera is one of Europe’s great cultural achievements, offering emotion and enjoyment to audiences around the world. Nowhere is the marriage of music and drama so perfect. Nowhere is human destiny, love and desire played out so intensely. Opera seduces and touches the heart. As an artistic medium it has served as a shared vehicle of communication across continents and generations, and millions of people have been – and continue to be – passionately drawn to its performance. In Zurich, too, opera attracts a strong audience, ensuring that this unique cultural heritage continues to flourish.
Swiss Re recognises the importance of this genre and is a long-time sponsor of the Zurich Opera House. With over 300 opera performances, ballets, concerts and recitals, the Opera House is one of the leading venues in Europe. Swiss Re acts as main sponsor for one production per season; in 2008/2009 the company is providing financial support for the performance of "Tristan and Isolde" by Richard Wagner.
“Tristan” is and always will be a miracle! How I was able to create something like this becomes increasingly inconceivable: when I read through it again, I had to open my eyes and ears wide! How terribly will I have to atone for this work one day, should I want to perform it in its entirety: I foresee quite clearly the most unimaginable suffering; for I can make no secret of the fact that I have far exceeded everything within the range of our performance; wonderfully brilliant performers, who would be the only ones equal to the task, are born only incredibly rarely. And yet I cannot resist the temptation: when I only hear the orchestra!
Richard Wagner
