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The Zurich Opera House works closely with schools in the canton of Zurich, offering students of all ages a lively introduction to opera and ballet. Through workshops, guided tours, rehearsal visits, and projects, young people experience musical theater up close, discover artistic processes, and have the opportunity to get creative themselves. The aim is to spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and promote dialogue between schools and the stage.

Support for attending performances with classes

During a guided tour of the Zurich Opera House, school classes discover what happens behind the scenes of a major music theatre. The tour takes them onto the stage and into key workshops such as props, tailoring, and make-up — offering fascinating insights into the many professions that make a production come to life.

Artistic education as lived practice: Through long-term partnerships with schools, Zurich Opera House opens up creative pathways to opera, music theater, and dance for children and young people. Active participation, hands-on creation, and professional guidance ensure that these art forms are sustainably embedded in everyday school life.

A glimpse behind the scenes of our educational work: in these photo galleries, we show how children, teenagers, and young adults experience opera and ballet up close. Discover impressions from workshops, school projects, and creative encounters with the world of music theatre.

A new building is to be constructed between the opera house and Lake Zurich – with an open meeting space and an inviting viewing terrace. Before the professionals implement the architectural project, the focus is on the youngest urban designers: young people between the ages of 10 and 18 from the canton of Zurich are invited to contribute their ideas, think along, dream along and get involved.

The newly founded Children’s Opera Orchestra of the Zurich Opera House is a collaboration between the canton’s music schools and the Opera House Orchestra. Talented children aged 7 to 14 can develop their musical skills, explore the world of opera, and experience the joy of making music together on the prestigious stage of the Zurich Opera House.

Youth Opera: As part of a large-scale education project, 15 primary and secondary school classes explore Cornelia Funke’s famous youth novel “The Thief Lord.”

The Zurich Opera House and Im Birch secondary school have been working together for several years to integrate dance into everyday school life. Workshops, input and visits to the opera house give pupils creative approaches to the art form. All classes now dance together and the project shapes the school's identity. In June 2026, the 3rd secondary classes will present their final pieces.