Aalto Theater

Das Aalto-Theater, named after its Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, is not only home to the Aalto-Musiktheater, the Aalto Ballet Essen and the Essen Philharmonic Orchestra, it is also a rchitectural landmark. Alvar Aalto, who like Gropius, Mies van der Rohe or Le Corbusier is one of the most important representatives of 20th century architecture, has consistently realized his concept of “human architecture” – whose primary goal is the well-being of people within the buildings – here, from the floor plan to the portal. Described by the FAZ as “perhaps the most beautiful German theater building after 1945,” the building combines perfect aesthetics with high utility value. With its asymmetrically curved, flowing lines and a window arrangement reminiscent of a piano, and its light-colored granite cladding, the Aalto Theater is reminiscent of Nordic landscapes. As early as 1959, Aalto won the architectural competition for the new building. Almost 30 years were to pass before his plans could be realized, during which discussions about the planned construction, doubts about its feasibility and new attempts at realization alternated. Alvar Aalto did not live to see the opening in 1988; he died in 1976. 1,125 seats are considered one of the top addresses in the German opera and ballet world!