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Philharmonie, Herbert-von-Karajan-Str. 1, T 25 48 81 32, http://www.berlin-philharmonic.com S-Bahn and U-Bahn Potsdamer Platz. The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the world's most celebrated, and the concert hall is one of the world's most bold and successful attempts at acoustic modernism. Sir Simon Rattle became conductor of the orchestra in 2002. Universität der Künste, Hardenbergstr. 33, T 31 85 23 74. S-Bahn and U-Bahn Zoologischer Garten, U Ernst-Reuter-Platz. Previously the Hochschule der Künste, this institution recently took the name “university” in a bid to become better known. The building is a 70s’ cement block but functions very well acoustically. Here you will find young soloists, orchestras and even the likes of the Pasadena Roof Orchestra. Kammermusiksaal, Herbert-von-Karajan-Str. 1, T 25 48 81 32. S-Bahn and U-Bahn Potsdamer Platz. Part of the Berlin Philharmonie, and housed within the same building, this smaller hall has all the acoustic accoutrements of its bigger brother. The stalls provide amazing listening, but if you sit behind the orchestra (where the seats are much cheaper), it's a different story. Staatsoper, Unter den Linden 7, T 20 35 45 55, http://www.staatsoper- berlin.org U-Bahn Französische Str. The leader- ship of this exquisitely restored opera house is under Daniel Barenboim. With traditional operas and ballets on offer this is one of Berlin's most popular classical venues. Unsold tickets are available for E10 before a performance. Komische Oper, Behrenstr. 55-57, T 47 99 74 00, http://www.komische- oper-berlin.de S-Bahn Unter den Linden. Don't be put off by the drab, bleak building of the Komische Oper, inside is one of the most well-hidden, charming secrets of the city. The plush opera house puts on more alternative productions than the Staatsoper, which are lighter in theme and very innovative. Deutsche Oper, Bismarckstr. 34-37, T 343 84 01, http://www.deutsche- oper.berlin.de U-Bahn Deutsche Oper. The only one of Berlin's opera companies to be housed in a modern building, the Deutsche Oper offers a wide range with some recent 20th-century masterpieces such as Bartók. The new intendant Udo Zimmerman has mentioned he wants to introduce some contemporary works.
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