An all-encompassing opera experience
The city of Düsseldorf is considering a significant redevelopment project for its opera house, with plans to replace the current monumental building, originally constructed as a city theater in 1875. The proposed new opera house is envisioned as a "future architectural and cultural lighthouse project," offering greater opportunities and possibilities than a renovation.
The potential new location for this ambitious project is the Hofgarten area in Düsseldorf. According to available information, the city intends to move towards this site, although specific details about public engagement in the decision-making process are not yet clear.
The vision for the opera house of the future includes creative and culinary offerings, the Young Opera, workshops for schools, lunch concerts, and exhibitions. Opera General Director Prof. Christoph Meyer believes that the decision for the 'Opera House 203+' would set the course for a future Düsseldorf as an opera hub and cultural city.
A study for a possible new opera house building at the Hofgarten location has been conducted, but it can be applied to other locations. The report on the opera house project focused on the spatial orientation of a future-proof opera house, including additional side and studio stages, as well as the integration of rehearsal rooms.
The projected costs for the new building range between 457 and 716 million euros, although specific cost information is not extensively detailed in the available sources.
Culture Commissioner Hans-Georg Lohe plans to coordinate the opera project concept with the project group 'Future of the Opera'. He also announced plans to submit the opera house project proposal to political bodies by the end of 2021.
To ensure comprehensive citizen participation and a broad exchange of opinions, a citizens' council will be established. After an introductory event, citizens will have the opportunity to actively contribute to the opera project process. In the citizens' council, questions and opinions about the future of the opera house will be openly discussed, with the goal of incorporating suggestions and ideas into the decision-making process.
Comprehensive citizen participation is considered crucial for the future of the opera project, according to Mayor Dr. Stephan Keller. He believes that a new opera house building offers greater chances and possibilities than a renovation.
The new opera house could become an attractive urban meeting point for a diverse city society and an attractive destination for international cultural tourism. However, detailed information on public involvement and cost projections for the Düsseldorf Opera House renovation or new construction at Hofgarten is not found in the current data. Additional official city or project documentation would be needed for precise details.
[1] Source: Various news articles and reports on the Düsseldorf Opera House project.
- The proposed new opera house in Düsseldorf's Hofgarten area could transform into a vibrant home-and-garden of culture, featuring creative and culinary offerings, workshops for schools, and public exhibitions, aiming to attract a diverse city society and international cultural tourism.
- In line with the city's vision for a future Düsseldorf as an opera hub and cultural city, a citizens' council will be established to ensure comprehensive lifestyle discussions and active public contribution towards the decision-making process of the opera house project, with the goal of incorporating suggestions and ideas into the project's development.
