Three cities -Strasbourg, Mulhouse and Colmar- conjointly run the Opéra national du Rhin, each hosting its own artistic department: the Strasbourg Opera, Opéra national du Rhin’s Ballet in Mulhouse (a national choreographic center since 1985) and the Opera Studio in Colmar (a training center for young singers).

The Opéra national du Rhin works closely with the Orchestre philharmonique de Strasbourg and the Orchestre symphonique de Mulhouse, in charge of opera and dance productions. It produces an annual program of more than 140 performances, recitals, concerts, and shows for young audiences, and owes its reputation on the international scene to renowned directors such as Jean-Pierre Ponnelle ("The Magic Flute", "La Bohème" or "Turandot"), Achim Freyer, David Pountney, Philippe Arlaud, Alfred Kirchner, Stéphane Braunschweig, Georges Lavaudant, Klaus Michael Grüber, Christof Loy, David McVicar, Vincent Boussard, Olivier Py, Robert Carsen, Barrie Kosky, Mariame Clément, Jossi Wieler, Sergio Morabito, Pierre-Emmanuel Rousseau, and Marie-Eve Signeyrole.

After more than 45 years, this truly Alsatian institution, deeply rooted in its region and in Europe, has become a staple of the French and international scene and was awarded the prestigious status of "Opéra national" in 1997.