21 Locations
Classical music is one of Berlin's great glories, home to world-class orchestras and historic concert halls. From the Philharmonie to the opera houses of Unter den Linden, classical music fills the city with symphonies, recitals and chamber concerts.
This overview gathers Berlin locations for classical music, from grand concert halls and opera houses to churches and intimate venues. Some focus on the great orchestras, others on early music, soloists and new compositions.
Browse the venues below to find the best classical music in Berlin, compare programmes and prices, and plan your evening.
Berlin's most famous concert hall, glowing in rich gold, stands at the Kulturforum near Potsdamer Platz. The Philharmonie has been home to one of the world's most renowned orchestras since 1963, hosting classical concerts of the highest caliber. Architect Hans Scharoun created a hall that has been copied worldwide but never surpassed.
In the heart of Mitte, directly on Berlin's most famous boulevard, stands one of Europe's most significant opera houses. The Staatsoper Unter den Linden combines almost three centuries of music history with a repertoire that sets international standards. General Music Director Christian Thielemann and the Staatskapelle Berlin are the sonic backbone of this institution.
Schinkel's neoclassical jewel, towering over Gendarmenmarkt in Mitte, has been setting standards in Berlin's classical music scene as Konzerthaus Berlin since 1984. Chief Conductor Joana Mallwitz and the Konzerthausorchester Berlin guarantee top-tier symphonic music, while the program goes far beyond what is expected.
Berlin's largest opera house is located in Charlottenburg – and for good reason. The Deutsche Oper was once founded as a citizen's response to the imperial court opera and attracts opera lovers from all over the world with a repertoire of around 70 productions and some of the best acoustics in the city.
The house, considered the cradle of modern musical theater, is currently performing in Charlottenburg from the Schiller Theater — with a program that places Strauss premieres alongside rock operas at Tempelhof Airport and consistently sees opera as a matter for everyone.
The Classic Open Air on Gendarmenmarkt is one of the big open air music events of Berlin!
The "Pasta Opera" show, held in Schloss Schwante in Oberkrämer in Brandenburg is an opera show with a professional ensemble and a four-course menu for the guests.
Where Beethoven meets Berlin nights: The Philharmonie at the Kulturforum in Tiergarten is home to one of the world's most renowned orchestras. Spending an evening here with parents or grandparents means experiencing classical music in a hall that is itself an architectural marvel.
Every Tuesday at 1 pm you will have the opportunity to attend a concert by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
Where classical music meets church history: The Berlin Cathedral on Museum Island in Berlin-Mitte is one of the city's most fascinating concert venues. Whether it's an organ concert under the dome vault or choir music by the Cathedral Choir – here, sacred architecture literally resonates.
Berlin's most beautiful opera house is without any doubt the Staatsoper (Berlin State Opera), normally located directly on the boulevard Unter den Linden. But since the original opera house has been undergoing major renovations since September 2010, the Staatsoper will play the Schiller Theater probably until summer 2015.
The Dinner & Concert at Charlottenburg Palace is a winter highlight for music lovers and gourmets. Here, classical music meets historical ambiance and a festive menu. The event takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the Great Orangery and offers an atmospheric evening in royal style.
In Charlottenburg, where Prussian history still whispers through the walls, the Great Orangery of Charlottenburg Palace offers classical concerts in a royal setting. Baroque music by candlelight, musicians in historical costumes, and an opulent ambiance make the evening truly special.
One of the most significant brick ruins in Northern Germany is not located in a city, but in the middle of the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve, just over an hour from Berlin. The former Cistercian monastery in the village of Chorin combines medieval architecture with one of Brandenburg's most beautiful music festivals.
If you are looking for classical concerts in Berlin, you must visit the Baroque palace on Köpenick Palace Island: Located idyllically on the Dahme river in the heart of the old town, the historic Aurora Hall offers a chamber music experience of such density and atmosphere that it is almost unrivaled in the city.
In Charlottenburg, directly on Steinplatz, stands a concert hall steeped in Berlin's musical history: The UdK Berlin Concert Hall on Hardenbergstraße was home to the Berlin Philharmonic under Karajan in the 1960s and is now the vibrant heart of the Faculty of Music at one of Europe's most important art universities.
At Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin-Mitte, the French Cathedral stands as one of the most beautiful concert venues in the capital. The acoustics of the historic church hall carry Vivaldi, Bach, and Chopin as if they had been composed specifically for it. History, sound, and a touch of grandeur under one roof.
Well-known stars of Rock and Pop like Lenny Kravitz, Billy Idol and Santana as well as German top acts such as Milky Chance make the medieval fortress Zitadelle Spandau in the months between June and August their stage.
Combine museum visits with classical music by attending the museum concert series “Sonntags im Museum“ at the Bode-Museum in cooperation with the Staatsoper Berlin.
Sunday morning on Museum Island, with chamber music by the Staatskapelle Berlin: The museum concerts at the Bode Museum in Mitte combine a classical matinee with sculpture art and café culture to create one of the city's most atmospheric Sunday programs.
A visit to the special concert at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden promises great emotions and musical delight on the day of love. You will immerse yourselves in the world of classical music together and enjoy the magnificent atmosphere in Mitte.