Aalto-Theater
Aalto-Theater
5
About
Das von dem finnischen Architekten Alvar Aalto entworfene Aalto-Theater mit seinen 1.125 Plätzen beheimatet nicht nur das Aalto-Musiktheater, das Aalto Ballett Essen und die Essener Philharmoniker, es ist auch eine architektonische Sehenswürdigkeit. Alvar Aalto, einer der bedeutendsten Repräsentanten der Architektur im 20. Jahrhundert, hat hier sein Konzept der „Humanen Architektur“ – deren oberstes Ziel das Wohlbefinden der Menschen innerhalb der Gebäude ist – konsequent vom Grundriss bis zum Portal verwirklicht. Von der FAZ als „vielleicht schönster deutscher Theaterbau nach 1945” bezeichnet, vereint das Haus vollkommene Ästhetik mit hohem Nutzwert. Die Eröffnung 1988 erlebte Alvar Aalto nicht mehr, er starb 1976.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

The area
Address
Neighborhood: Südviertel
Reach out directly

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles60 reviews
Excellent
53
Very good
6
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1

Starelle2014
York, UK36 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2019 • Couples
We watched the amazing Aalto Ballett perform two ballets last week in their wonderful theatre and loved both of them. The first ballet ''Rock Around Barock'' was such fun and the dancers performed with the rock band Mallett who were great musicians. The theatre never ceases to surprise us when a huge screen appeared just before the interval. The second ballet was ''Don Quixote'' with its fine scenery and sets that made you feel like you were in Espania together with the wonderful costumes. I would love to go back to Aalto Theatre to see Aalto Ballett perform these two ballets again.
Written June 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Starelle2014
York, UK36 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2018
We spent Christmas Day and New Year's Day watching Aalto Ballett perform the Nutcracker and a Homage to Queen on our first visit to see them in this amazing theatre. We loved the performances and had great seats on both occasions. I would be very surprised if any of the seats did not offer an excellent view. It is such a great theatre architecturally and accoustically. I can't wait for next week when we will be visiting this theatre again to watch Aalto Ballett perform Onegin.
Written February 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Be K
13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2018 • Friends
Regular visit for me. It is an amazingly designed theatre and I've seen several amazing productions here, Swan Lake, Max & Moritz, One Night in Venedig and many more. I can't think of one that I haven't enjoyed. At one time I had a guided tour through the house and it was quite fascinating to learn about the architecture and also the technology.
Written September 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Irina S
Lappeenranta, Finland3 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2017
Very cosy classic atmosphere. Only one disadvantage - long bathroom queues. Otherwise all great - stage is good to see from all locations, service in the breaks is fast .
Written April 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

aberdeenjohn
Tring, UK542 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2018 • Family
We have been to may concert / opera venues and this is one of the best. You enter at the level of the cloakrooms so you leave your coat immediately. Many attendants so no waits. Lots of space to walk about.

The auditorium has comfortable leather seats with a lot of leg room, good lines of sight from all seats and excellent acoustics
Written February 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BeachStone2C
Helsinki, Finland2,775 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2017 • Solo
Aalto Theater was designed by the famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, He won the the design competition but construction was delayed so much that Aalto never saw the completion of the building. Anyone interested in architecture will appreciate a visit to this building. It doesn't look that much outside during a gray December day - it really comes to live when light pours out of its carefully designed windows. Unfortunately I was not able to see any performances but the building is worth visiting nevertheless.
Written December 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

alex1504
Inverness128 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2016 • Solo
I've been to the Aalto a few times, on each occasion as part of an multi-night opera/train trip. i.e. Essen is roughly midway between Amsterdam and Berlin.

The Aalto theatre is named after the architect, who sadly died before its completion. Whether it's a masterpiece as some claim I'm not sure, but it's distinctive, and makes a change from the pillars and porticos fronting most opera houses.

This is a modern and comfortable theatre, notably for its assymetric design outside and inside - the balconies on the right side are more forward than those on the left. Wherever you sit I don't think you'll be disappointed, particularly as prices are very reasonable for opera from an acclaimed regional company. Surtitles are in German only, so you'll need to read-up beforehand if you don't know your opera.

I recommend you make a dash for the bars in the intervals to avoid the queues, for beer and a bretzel as the friendly locals do. Not the most stylish public areas, but pleasant and relaxed.

In summary, if you have a chance to see an opera here, do so. If there's no opera being performed on your night, check out the adjacent symphony hall which has a full program.
Written April 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

110margueritew
Seattle1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2016 • Solo
Very well conducted and sung. Most important, the sound welled up and washed over the audience. Must return!
Written October 31, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

WaterlooKai
Tokyo Prefecture, Japan2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2015 • Couples
I saw the opera "Carmen" in 2014 and the ballet "The Nutcracker" in 2015.
This is a big theater hosting over 1,000 people. The architecture is sophisticated.
It has been ranked as the best opera theater in Germany in some year recently. Indeed it was really great. The ballet was also pretty good, though not so as the opera.
You don't have to be very formally dressed, if not too casually.

2014年にオペラ「カルメン」、2015年にバレエ「くるみ割り人形」を鑑賞しました。
1,000人以上が入る大きな劇場で、東京の新国立劇場と同じくらいの大きさの印象です(東京の方が少し大きかったと思いますが)。ホワイエなどの空間も洗練されています。
ここの劇場は近年ドイツで一番のオペラ劇場の評価を受けたこともあるほどで、たしかに「カルメン」は素晴らしい舞台でした。「くるみ割り人形」はトップクラスではないのかなあという印象を受けましたが、それでも非常に良かったです。
観客全員がフォーマルな服装をしてくるわけでは無いので、砕けた服装でなければ大丈夫だと思います。
Written November 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

545medva
Budapest, Hungary3,972 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2014
This is one of the best opera houses in Germany. The architecture is very special, not only outside, but inside as well. The Finish architect Aalto died before his masterwok was opened. We had two very good opera performance and one ballett in the house - terrific. If you are opera fan than go!
Written July 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 13
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

AALTO-THEATER: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Aalto-Theater