Our capital city has a lot to offer in terms of music, that’s for sure. And although we are primarily known for our techno, Berlin can also be very different. Classical music also has a rich history here and is deeply rooted in the city’s cultural development. Berlin has played a central role in the European musical landscape since the 18th century and continues to be a global center for classical music today with its numerous orchestras, choirs and venues.
From the magnificent Konzerthaus to the iconic Philharmonie and the Orangerie at Charlottenburg Palace , Berlin offers numerous legendary locations for enjoying classical concerts. The following guide not only highlights the best classical music venues, but also tells you about some of the most exciting annual classical music events and orchestras our capital has to offer.
The best classical music venues in Berlin
Konzerthaus Berlin
Berlin’s magnificent Konzerthaus on Gendarmenmarkt is one of the most important classical concert halls in Germany and was built in 1821 by Karl Friedrich Schinkel as a neoclassical theater. After being destroyed in the Second World War, it was reopened as a concert hall in 1984 and today houses the renowned Konzerthausorchester Berlin, which performs around 550 concerts a year – from traditional symphony concerts to chamber music and innovative formats. The building is considered a true architectural gem and the Great Hall with 1,500 seats and a magnificent organ offers an atmospheric ambience.
Address: Gendarmenmarkt 2, 10117 Berlin
Berlin Philharmonic Hall
The Philharmonie Berlin – home to the world-famous Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and an architectural landmark since 1963. The tent-like building with its unmistakable façade was designed by Hand Scharoun and gave birth to a completely new concert hall architecture that is still considered a model worldwide today. The central stage position and the terraced “vineyard” seating offer outstanding acoustics for up to 2,440 listeners. From classical symphony concerts to various music formats, over 500 concerts are held here every year.
Address: Herbert-von-Karajan-Straße 1, 10785 Berlin
State Opera House Unter den Linden
Berlin’s oldest opera house was built in 1741-1743 by order of King Frederick the Great in the style of the Frederician Rococo. After being destroyed in the Second World War, it was rebuilt in 1955 and then underwent a long general refurbishment, after which it was reopened in 2017 with state-of-the-art technology and optimized acoustics. Today, it is home to the Staatskapelle Berlin and presents a diverse repertoire ranging from baroque operas to classical and romantic works and contemporary world premieres.
Address: Unter den Linden 7, 10117 Berlin
Pierre Boulez Hall
Opened in 2017, the Pierre Boulez Saal – the centerpiece of the Barenboim-Said Academy – was designed by Frank Gehry as an elliptical 360-degree chamber music hall with flexible seating. It offers an intimate atmosphere with space for 682 visitors, so that no one in the audience sits more than 14 meters away from the musicians in the middle. With around 150 concerts per season, the program combines chamber music and solo recitals of the classical canon with performances by the Boulez Ensemble and contemporary works to create a dialogue between tradition and modernity.
Address: Französische Str. 33D, 10117 Berlin
Orangery at Charlottenburg Palace
The Great Orangery at Charlottenburg Palace is a fascinating Baroque jewel that was built between 1709 and 1712 under King Frederick I as a 143-metre-long, single-storey functional building for the wintering of valuable citrus plants. Even back then, the magnificent building combined a practical purpose with a use as a cultural venue and was regularly the setting for court festivities. Today, the Berlin Residence Orchestra performs over 120 concerts a year here with works by Bach, Handel and Mozart – all in authentic Baroque costumes.
Address: Spandauer Damm 22, 14059 Berlin
Orchestra in Berlin
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Founded in 1882, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the most renowned orchestras in the world and is regarded as the city’s cultural flagship. They have had a decisive influence on Berlin’s musical life and have been brought to the top of the world by their unmistakable sound and their important chief conductors.
Staatskapelle Berlin
The Staatskapelle Berlin is one of the oldest orchestras in the world and was founded in 1570. It is a traditional ensemble of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden and inspires under the direction of renowned conductors such as Daniel Barenboim with a varied repertoire ranging from baroque to modern.
German Symphony Orchestra Berlin (DSO)
The Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin was founded in 1946 and is internationally renowned for its stylistic versatility and innovative programming. The DSO performs regularly at the Berlin Philharmonie and works with renowned soloists and conductors worldwide.
Konzerthausorchester Berlin
The Konzerthausorchester Berlin is the resident orchestra of the Konzerthaus am Gendarmenmarkt and stands for high musical quality and a broad, varied program. With roots dating back to 1952, it plays a key role in shaping the Berlin music scene.
Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin (RSB)
Founded in 1923 as a funk orchestra, the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin combines tradition and the present. It is known for its openness to new musical ideas and concert formats and regularly realizes innovative projects with international appeal.
Annual and seasonal events
Vienna Johann Strauss Concert Gala
The Vienna Johann Strauss Concert Gala is one of the most successful touring productions in music history and makes regular guest appearances in Berlin every year. Since 1996, the gala with the K&K Philharmonic Orchestra and the K&K Ballet has captivated more than 1.5 million spectators in 19 European countries. The concert traditionally takes place between December and March in the Berlin Konzerthaus and offers authentic Viennese waltz music from the Strauss dynasty in historical costumes.
When: Between December and March
Where: Konzerthaus Berlin
End-of-season concert by the Berliner Philharmoniker
The Berliner Philharmoniker know how to end a season properly! Traditionally, this happens here every year at the end of June with a very special open-air event in front of around 20,000 listeners on the unique Waldbühne stage. The show presents a varied and entertaining program in an atmospheric setting. It marks the festive end of the concert season and has been a highlight of Berlin’s cultural calendar for decades.
When: End of June
Where: Waldbühne Berlin
Berlin Music Festival
The penultimate item on our list belongs to Musikfest Berlin, which traditionally marks the start of the new classical music season in Berlin and presents a wide selection of different concerts. It takes place annually from the end of August to the middle/end of September at various venues, including the Philharmonie and Konzerthaus Berlin, and is considered one of the most important festivals for classical music in Europe. With its wide variety of programs and numerous concerts by international ensembles, it offers atmospheric entertainment for every classical music fan.
When: End of August – middle/end of September
Where: Various venues
Candlelight concerts
One last noteworthy mention at the end: the atmospheric candlelight concerts in Berlin take place throughout the year! The sparkling candlelight concerts take place at various venues in Berlin, such as the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche, the Meistersaal or the Apostel-Paulus Kirche, and offer you a wide selection of different genres in beautiful classical interpretations. Look forward to highlights such as Queen meets ABBA, Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” or a magical homage to Ludovico Einaudi in a unique atmosphere.
When: All year round
Where: Various venues