Founded by Berliners in 1912 as a counterpoint to the royal opera on Unter den Linden, the Deutsche Oper presents a classic 19th-century opera repertory from Verdi and Puccini to Wagner and Strauss, all sung in their original languages. If you like your opera more experimental, check out the Tischlerei (joinery), a studio space for boundary-pushing (and more budget-friendly) musical interpretations.
The original opera house was destroyed in WWII, and replaced in 1961 by an introverted modernist venue with seating for nearly 1900 opera aficionados in the main hall. Check the online schedule for tours (€5).