The Alte Oper (Old Opera) was originally Frankfurt's Opera House. Heavily damaged during WWII, the building was reconstructed and opened as a concert hall in 1981.On the 20th of October 1880, after seven years of construction, Frankfurt's Opera House was officially inaugurated.The Opernhaus as it was called was paid for by Frankfurt citizens and designed by the Berlin architect Richard Lucae. The panther quadriga on the Renaissance-style building recalls the famous Semper Opera House in Dresden.
At the time the 34 meter high building featured a large auditorium and a sumptuous staircase, known as the 'Imperial Staircase'. The auditorium could seat more than 2000 people.