Poster Exhibition
Poster Exhibition
For 13 years they characterised the cityscape - and soon they will be history. All 152 motifs can be seen once again. 07-09 Jun, 12-13 Jul. Free entry.
Posters by François Berthoud
13 years of the Zurich Opera House under the directorship of Andreas Homoki was a formative era, not only musically and artistically, but also visually. Each production was given its own visually powerful poster: sometimes a toadstool, a swimming costume, a flip-flop, a lollipop or a kebab skewer - each motif tailored to the respective piece, always against a monochrome background and immediately recognisable. To mark the departure of Andreas Homoki, the theatre is now dedicating a special exhibition to this extraordinary poster art: all the works that Swiss illustrator François Berthoud has designed for opera and ballet at Zurich Opera House since 2012 are on display. Born in Jura in 1961, Berthoud is one of the most influential fashion and cultural illustrators of our time. He was discovered in Milan by the legendary Anna Piaggi and has worked for Vogue, Numéro, Bulgari, Prada - and since 2012 also for Zurich Opera House.
Now, for the first time, the more than 150 posters have been brought together in one place. As a visual echo, they tell the story of 13 years of music theatre - and pay tribute to the artistic path of Homoki's directorship in an impressive way.
Opening Hours
Opening Hours for Performance Visitors
One hour before the start of each performance
Opening Hours for the General Public (Free Admission)
Vernissage
- Saturday, 7 June 2025, 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
- Pentecost Sunday, 8 June 2025, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Pentecost Monday, 9 June 2025, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Finissage
- Saturday, 12 July 2025, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday, 13 July 2025, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Guided Tours
Behind-the-Scenes tours at the Opera house
Find out more about the history of the opera house and how a production is created. Get to know the theatre from a different perspective! With the exception of Saturday, 7th of June, a one-hour backstage tour in German and a guided tour in English are offered every hour on the hour during the opening hours of the exhibition. The tours start and end at the ticket office. The price is CHF 15.
Guided tours in German can be booked here.
Guided tours in English can be booked here.
Dates for the guided tours
8th, 9th of June and 12th of July 2025
- 1st tour 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- 2nd tour 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
- 3rd tour 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
- 4th tour 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
- 5th tour 2:15 PM to 3:15 PM – English
- 6th tour 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- 7th tour 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
13th of July 2025
- 1st tour 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- 2nd tour 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
- 3rd tour 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
- 4th tour 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
- 5th tour 2:15 PM to 3:15 PM – English
François Berthoud was born in 1961 in Switzerland to an Italian mother and a Swiss father. He is one of the most original illustrators of his time. His impressive works combine art, fashion and communication in an unmistakable way. Since the mid-1980s, after working as an art director for fashion magazines, he has focussed mainly on artistic projects. Berthoud has published several books, worked for numerous international fashion brands and his work has been exhibited in museums and galleries worldwide. He is also a regularly published artist for leading magazines around the world.
