Berlin: Unter den Linden - Staatsoper

The Staatsoper is one of the world's great opera houses and also one of the most impressive buildings on Unter den Linden.The building was constructed as the Royal Opera from 1741 to 1743 to plans by Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff. Frederick the Great's court opera, part of the planned Forum Fridericianum, was both the first free-standing opera house in Germany and the largest in Europe.

It is built in Prussian classical style with influences from the English classical style and the followers of Palladio, and is based on the form of a Corinthian temple. The interior is maintained in the rococo style also found in the palaces of »Charlottenburg and Sanssouci.After a fire in 1843 which almost completely destroyed the opera house, it was reconstructed under the supervision of Carl Ferdinand Langhans. Various renovations in the years, which followed, softened the strong proportions of the building. Completely destroyed in the war, the building was reconstructed close to Knobeldorff's original design from 1952 to 1955, and from 1983 to 1986 it was completely restored.

Many famous artists have worked for the Staatsoper: Schinkel designed sets for "The Magic Flute", Richard Strauss was once the chief conductor. Until the present day, artists of world standing collaborate on the production of the Staatsoper's great repertory.