Location & Venues
Get to know our host city, Hannover and the Venues HCC, Schauspielhaus and Staatsoper.
Hannover, Germany
Hannover lies in the heart of Germany, where the bustle of urban life meets the peace of the countryside. The cityscape is characterised by plenty of green public spaces, an abundance of street art and numerous architectural monuments.
Hannover is well accustomed to being an international host, with the world's largest exhibition centre and many leading international trade fairs taking place in the city. With almost 540,000 inhabitants, the capital of Lower Saxony is one of the 15 most populous cities in Germany.
Since December 2014, Hannover is a UNESCO City of Music and part of the international UNESCO Creative Cities Network. It is also an important research and business centre, as well as a city where education plays a key role. The internationally respected Hannover University of Music, Drama and Media trains students from all over the world. As a renowned music location, Hannover is home to many internationally active ensembles and large orchestras, and features a diverse and very lively jazz scene.
More information about Hannover can be found at www.visit-hannover.com.
Classical:NEXT Venues
Hannover Congress Centrum (HCC)
(Conference, Expo)
The Hannover Congress Centrum (HCC) is one of the largest conference and event centres in Germany and is known throughout Germany and Europe. Built over 100 years ago in 1914, the HCC has been a recognised meeting point and centre for the social and cultural life of the state capital for many decades.
With four multifunctional event halls, seven ballrooms and 28 conference and seminar rooms on 23,000 m² of foyer and event space, the HCC offers around 13,000 seats for events of all kinds. An average of 1,000 events with around 400,000 visitors take place at the HCC every year.
Theodor-Heuss-Platz 1-3
30175 Hannover
Staatstheater Hannover (Staatsoper & Schauspiel Hannover)
(Opening, Showcases)
Staatsoper Hannover and Schauspiel Hannover together form the Niedersächsische Staatstheater Hannover, which with 900 employees is one of the largest multi-arts theatres in Germany. Around 1,300 opera, drama, ballet, concert and youth theatre events take place across three venues every year and are attended by around 400,000 people. The Staatsoper and the Schauspiel Hannover work with internationally renowned artists and offer a varied and innovative programme that attracts attention far beyond the borders of Lower Saxony.
Staatsoper Hannover
(Opening)
Laura Berman took over as artistic director of the Staatsoper at the start of the 2019/20 season. Diversity and internationalism determine the repertoire and the ensemble – the Staatsoper seeks an open dialogue with Hannover’s urban society and communication with the European opera scene. Alongside contemporary productions of works from the great classical repertoire, there are world premieres, musical excursions that stretch genre boundaries and formats for young audiences.
The Staatsballett has been directed by Marco Goecke since autumn 2019. He creates art for the 21st century with his own strong signature style and was named "Best Choreographer" by the magazine Tanz in summer 2021.
The Staatsorchester Hannover has been a successful opera and concert orchestra for almost 400 years. Under its general music director, Stephan Zilias, it performs opera, ballet, symphonies, special concerts, chamber concerts and children's concerts.
The magazine Oper! honoured the Staatsoper Hannover with the Oper! award as "Best Opera House 2020".
Opernplatz 1
30159 Hannover
Schauspiel Hannover
(Showcases)
The Schauspiel Hannover works with internationally renowned artists, offering a diverse and innovative programme with an appeal that extends far beyond Lower Saxony. Since the start of the 2019/20 season, Sonja Anders has been the Director of the Schauspiel Hannover. The repertoire is defined by diversity, socio-political themes and contemporary drama. In real terms, this means committing to diversity within the 30-person ensemble and using highly acclaimed scripts, particularly by female playwrights.
The dialogue with Hannover’s urban society, the opening up of the theatre to new visitor groups, as well as networking with initiatives, institutions and actors from Hannover and the region are at the forefront of the programme. The programme will be supplemented with international co-productions and guest performances.
Prinzenstraße 9,
30159 Hannover
Cumberland
(Club Showcases)
Schauspiel Hannover's newest stage, the Cumberlandsche Bühne, is located on the upper floor of the Cumberland gallery and seats up to 200 spectators.
The Cumberland gallery and bar has no disabled access. The Cumberland stage is accessible for wheelchairs via the foyer of the Schauspielhaus.