Opera by E. Elgar

18 – 20 SEPTEMBER 2026

ZK/U BerlinSiemensstr. 27, 10551, Berlin, Germany

The Privatoper follows simple principles. It brings rarely performed operas to places where operas are rarely performed. In doing so, it stays true to its original vision of creating opera by friends for friends. Over time, the circle of friends has grown significantly, so that in recent years several thousand friends have attended the performances.

Modeled after the creative act in the Old Testament, the operas are staged during an intensive one-week rehearsal period. Independent of grants and sponsorships, the Privatoper Berlin funds its productions out of its own pocket and through collective effort, sometimes in collaboration with partners.

Once a year, the Privatoper performs for an audience ranging from Berlin hipsters to the President of the Bundestag, as well as descendants and relatives of the composers whose works it has brought back into the spotlight. In this way, the Privatoper has brought rarely performed compositions to life, breathed new life into operas through new language and/or new interpretations, and staged world premieres or first performances.