UNLESS THE PEOPLE LIVE HERE

Here, you’ll first encounter the curator Rirkrit Tiravanija himself in numerous performances—from his famous lettering on Götz-Friedrich-Platz to appearances on stage during concerts and T-shirt designs in the coat check area—and he won’t be skipping his cooking performances either.

Throughout the building and around it, you’ll encounter the artistic interventions of Ari Benjamin Meyers as he and the house’s artists perform small, curated concerts. So: Keep your eyes and ears open!

Keep your eyes open, too, for the artistic intervention by Tomás Saraceno, who is carrying 100 “Golden Tickets”: The renowned artist designed the front himself, while the back features a code for a performance ticket for the 26/27 season.

Keep your nose open for the scent installation by Sissel Tolaas, who has created a very special scent molecule that will be diffused here at the opera house only on August 29 and 30.

Have you always wanted to wear a costume like our artists do? On Saturday, you’ll have the chance. First, join the grand parade around the opera house. Starting at 5:00 p.m., Petrit Halilaj & Álvaro Urbano will use the costumes to create a sculpture that you can admire on Sunday in the coat check hall.

Experience artworks by Lou Cantor and Tobias Rehberger, sound installations by Sung Tieu, recitations by Karl Holmqvist, and much more.

And what stays the same? Face painting for kids in the Rang Foyer, public children’s choir concerts, choir rehearsals, ballet rehearsals, and hands-on activities, an evening jazz concert on Götz-Friedrich-Platz, and two major opening concerts offering artistic previews of the 26/27 season.

EVERYTHING IS A REHEARSAL / ALLES IST EINE PROBE

On the last weekend in August, Rirkrit Tiravanija, together with 20 Berlin-based artists, will throw open the doors of the Deutsche Oper Berlin. A series of site-specific, performative interventions will unfold throughout the opera house. With this, the artists put forward a thesis: UNLESS THE PEOPLE LIVE HERE.

As Richard Wagner so aptly put it, a Gesamtkunstwerk unites all the elements that make up an opera as we know it: from the singers to the orchestra, the costumes, and the set designs, right down to the architecture of the opera house itself. Tiravanija turns this idea on its head and challenges the artists to look beyond the stage—into the orchestra pit, the kitchen, the air-conditioning system, and everywhere in between. They reveal what lies behind the creation of a “Gesamtkunstwerk” and transform every possible resource to forge new connections among themselves.

Over the course of 30 hours, you are invited to discover the Deutsche Oper Berlin like never before. Together, we open the house to time and to PEOPLE. By spending a weekend in and around the Deutsche Oper Berlin, we use the medium of opera to explore what it means to be together.

– Rirkrit Tiravanija

• Curated by Rirkrit Tiravanija with Landon Wilson
• with the participation of Angela Bulloch, Ari Benjamin Meyers, Lou Cantor, Józefina Chętko, Flower Shop Pho, Petrit Halilaj & Álvaro Urbano, Karl Holmqvist, Dalad Kambhu, Fiston Mwanza Mujila, OMSK Social Club, Tobias Rehberger, Anri Sala, Tomás Saraceno, Sung Tieu, Rirkrit Tiravanija, Sissel Tolaas, Danh Vō, Haegue Yang, and Grillwalker Alexanderplatz
• with the Berlin State Ballet and the costume department, the restaurant, the technicians, the ushers, the orchestra, and the choirs of the Deutsche Oper Berlin

Here you’ll find events for you and your families

At Götz-Friedrich-Platz

Sat., 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Opening Ceremony

featuring artist Rirkrit Tiravanija and our new artistic director, Aviel Cahn.

Sat., 1:15–1:45 p.m.

Sat., 2:15–2:45 p.m.

Sat., 3:15–3:45 p.m.

Join-in Dance Event with “Tanz ist KLASSE!”

Just drop by and start dancing! No prior experience required, no restrictions—casual and outdoors—Tanz ist KLASSE! invites everyone to a dance-along event at Götz-Friedrich-Platz.

Sat., 3:00 p.m.

Costume Parade

The grand costume parade, which winds its way around our opera house starting at 3:00 p.m., reaches its spectacular climax with a concert by our choir at 5:00 p.m. in the foyer. Want to be part of the parade yourself? You can borrow costumes from the coat check starting at 12:30 p.m. After the parade, the costumes will be returned to the cloakroom hall and arranged into a large sculpture by Petrit Halilaj and Álvaro Urbano.

Sat., 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Jazz Open Air

Members of the Deutsche Oper Berlin Big Band will transform Götz-Friedrich-Platz into an open-air stage and set the mood for their “Jazz & Lyrics” series with various sets.

Sun., 6:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.

The Young German Opera Flag Is Raised

On the Main Stage

Sat., 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Open Stage

A unique opportunity to take a peek behind the scenes!

Sat. & Sun., 5:00–6:00 p.m. each day

Opening Concert

In a grand concert on stage, the orchestra of the Deutsche Oper Berlin will perform excerpts from works featured in our 2026/27 season, such as *The Flying Dutchman* and *War Requiem*.

The program will also feature a piece by our Composer in Residence, the Icelandic composer Bára Gísladóttir. Conducted by Anna Handler and Giovanni Conti; hosted by Aviel Cahn.

• Tickets available in the online shop starting August 28, 2026

Sat., 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.

Late Night

The OMSK Social Club and international DJs from Berlin’s electronic music scene—Why Be, Alif Hilal, mi-el, and Jan Vorisek—invite you to a night on the opera stage.

• Tickets for €35.00 in the online shop // Entry via the stage entrance, Richard-Wagner-Straße 10

Sun., 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Public Rehearsal of the Berlin State Ballet

Ballet Director Christian Spuck will host a public rehearsal with dancers from the Berlin State Ballet.

At the Tischlerei

The Tischlerei is the home base of our new Unlimited program, which will open on September 25, 2026, with the Afrofuturist music theater production *Sunville* by Sofia Jernberg, Fiston Mwanza Mujila, and Stephanie Thiersch.

Sat., 2:00–2:30 p.m.

Sound Bridges – Choral Music from Around the World

The Youth Choir will perform works by Brahms, Trotta, Dowland, and Chilcott under the direction of Christian Lindhorst.

Sat. & Sun., 3:00–3:30 p.m.

Sat. & Sun., 4:00–4:30 p.m.

Public Choir Rehearsal

On September 19, 2026, we’ll kick off the 26/27 premiere season with a bang: Karlheinz Stockhausen’s *Mittwoch aus Licht* will receive its German premiere. Experience the first musical impressions as the choir of the Deutsche Oper Berlin rehearses *Weltparlament*, the first part of *Mittwoch aus Licht*. Hosted by Jeremy Bines.

Sat., 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

How to Use Pointe Shoes

Dancers from the Staatsballett Berlin offer insights into their daily work with and on their pointe shoes, demonstrate how they prepare their pointe shoes for dance, and share a trick or two along the way. The event will be held in German. English passages will be summarized in German. Featuring dancers from the Staatsballett Berlin; Hosted by Katja Wiegand

Sat., 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Oral Histories

Who knows the day-to-day lives of the artists at the Deutsche Oper Berlin—the highs and lows, the small and major disasters—better than the people who have been the heart and soul of this institution for many years, or even decades? Ruth Ferrano, Christoph Seuferle, Curt A. Roesler, and Nina Birsan will share their stories. Moderator: Konstantin Parnian

Our Poet in Residence, Fiston Mwanza Mujila, offers a first glimpse into *Sunville*, an Afrofuturist music theater production premiering in September at the Tischlerei.

Sun., 1:00–2:00 p.m.

Meet Our Poet in Residence – Fiston Mwanza Mujila

The Congolese author is one of the most distinctive literary voices of our time—rhythmic, visually striking, and at home across languages. To kick off our opening weekend, he will read from his favorite texts and introduce himself to the audience in a conversation. He will also read from the libretto of *Sunville*.

Sun., 2:00–2:30 p.m.

Come to the Yellow Beach!

The Deutsche Oper Berlin Children’s Choir, together with the Deutsche Oper Berlin Boys’ Choir, will perform works by Chilcott, Zalveris, and Holst under the direction of Christian Lindhorst.

In the coat check hall – on the left

Sat., 12:30 p.m. to approx. 2:30 p.m.

Costume rental for the big parade

If you’d like to take part in our costume parade starting at 3:00 p.m., you can rent a costume here. There are 300 costumes available. You’ll receive one costume upon providing your contact information. You’ll need a valid photo ID for verification. Costumes must be returned starting at 5:30 p.m.

Sun., 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Costume Sculpture by Álvaro Urbanos & Petrit Halilaj

In the coat check hall—on the right

Sat., 12:30 p.m. / 1:00 p.m. / 1:30 p.m. / 2:00 p.m. / 2:30 p.m. / 3:00 p.m. / 3:30 p.m. / 4:00 p.m. / 4:30 p.m. / 5:00 p.m.

Family Tours – Costumes

In just under half an hour, gain insights into the live workshop of our costume department.

Duration: approx. 30 minutes, including travel time // Maximum 20 people per tour / No numbered tickets

Sun., 12:30 / 1:00 / 1:30 / 2:00 / 2:30 / 3:00 / 3:30 / 4:00 / 4:30 / 5:00

Family Tours – Backstage Gallery

In just under half an hour, enjoy a brief tour of the wings and backstage areas, as well as the prop warehouse.

• Duration: approx. 30 minutes, including travel time // Maximum of 20 people per tour / No numbered tickets

In the Foyer, Parkett Mitte

Sat. & Sun., 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Musical Performances

Our orchestra musicians will be performing chamber concerts in various ensembles throughout the day. There’s no stage—the concerts take place right in the middle of the audience. Let yourself be surprised!

Sat., 5:00–5:15 p.m. Conclusion of the Grand Costume Parade

The grand costume parade, which winds its way around our opera house starting at 3:00 p.m., reaches its spectacular climax with a concert by our choir at 5:00 p.m. in the foyer. If you’d like to be part of the parade yourself, you can borrow costumes from the coat check starting at 12:30 p.m. After the parade, the costumes will be returned to the cloakroom hall and arranged into a large sculpture by Petrit Halilaj and Álvaro Urbano.

Sat. & Sun., 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Information booth of our Friends’ Association

In the foyer, 1st tier, on the right

Sat. & Sun., 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Painting the Junge Deutsche Oper Flag

To everyone, young and old: Come to the Deutsche Oper Berlin and help design a flag featuring the Junge Deutsche Oper logo in its new layout! On Sunday at 6:00 p.m., the new flag will be ceremonially raised on Götz-Friedrich-Platz and will be displayed on a rotating basis throughout the year in front of our opera house.

Sat. & Sun., 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Face Painting

Whether it’s a kitten, a butterfly, or the Joker: Our makeup artists will apply face paint to our youngest guests.

In the ballet studios of the Staatsballett Berlin

Sun., 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sun., 3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Sun., 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Children’s Dance Class

In the Staatsballett’s large ballet studio, “Tanz ist KLASSE!” invites children and their caregivers to try out their first dance steps and get acquainted with ballet pantomime. Note: Limited number of participants—tickets will be distributed at the Staatsballett information desk once the building opens. Participants should meet behind the Staatsballett information desk in the box office foyer at the specified time.

In the Box Office Lobby

Our staff at the information desk of the Deutsche Oper Berlin (Saturday and Sunday) and the Berlin State Ballet (Sunday) look forward to seeing you and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.