The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (German: Berliner Philharmoniker) is one of the most important and renowned symphony orchestras in the world. It was founded in 1882 by a group of musicians who rebelled against their former conductor, Johann Ernst Benjamin Bilse. Since 1963, the orchestra has been based in the Berliner Philharmonie, a modern concert hall designed by Hans Scharoun.
If you want to experience the Berlin Philharmonic live, you need to buy a ticket in advance, as the concerts are usually sold out quickly. You can buy tickets online at https://www.berliner-philharmoniker.de/en/, by phone at +49 30 254 88-999, or at the box office of the Philharmonie. The ticket prices vary depending on the seat category and the concert program. The box office is open from Monday to Friday from 15:00 to 18:00, and on Saturdays from 11:00 to 14:00. On concert days, the box office opens one hour before the concert starts.
The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra is located at Herbert-von-Karajan-Straße 1, 10785 Berlin. You can easily get there by public transport, as it is close to the Potsdamer Platz station, which is served by several subway (U-Bahn), suburban train (S-Bahn), bus and tram lines. You can also take a taxi or drive your own car, but parking spaces are limited and may be expensive.
Some tips for your visit to the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra are:
- Arrive early, as you need to go through a security check before entering the hall.
- Dress appropriately, as there is no formal dress code but casual attire may be frowned upon.
- Turn off your mobile phone and any other electronic devices during the concert, as they may disturb the musicians and other audience members.
- Do not take photos or videos during the concert, as they are prohibited for copyright reasons.
- Applaud only when the conductor lowers his baton and turns to face the audience, and not between movements of a piece.
- Enjoy the music and the atmosphere of one of the best orchestras in the world!
If you have some extra time, you can also explore some of the other attractions near the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, such as:
- The Kulturforum, a complex of museums and cultural institutions that includes the Gemäldegalerie (Painting Gallery), the Neue Nationalgalerie (New National Gallery), and the Musikinstrumenten-Museum (Musical Instrument Museum).
- The Tiergarten, a large and beautiful park that offers green spaces, lakes, monuments and sculptures.
- The Potsdamer Platz, a modern and lively square that features skyscrapers, cinemas, restaurants and shops.
You can also join a guided tour of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, which takes place every Tuesday at 13:15 and lasts about an hour. You can learn more about the history and architecture of the building, as well as see some of the backstage areas. The tour costs 5 euros per person and does not require a reservation.
