In a side room of the Lindau City Theater, Bernhard Leismüller has made history: for 20 years, he has been running Germany’s only puppet theater that exclusively performs operas and operettas. The performances on a silken thread fascinate thousands of visitors every year: grace and grace characterize the movements of the puppets, colorful and detailed stage sets provide a real opera feeling.  Around a dozen puppeteers ensure that great pieces of musical culture can be experienced here on a small scale.

It looks light and playful when Papageno from The Magic Flute or Headwaiter Leopold from The White Horse Inn appear on stage – guests can only guess how strenuous it is to make a puppet weighing 800 to 1,500 grams dance for two hours when they take a look behind the scenes. This opportunity is available free of charge after each of the performances – and going backstage is well worth it! Around 450 marionettes – all homemade and equipped with specially tailored clothes – are waiting to be used here.

Varied program

With its operas, operettas, ballets and plays, the Lindau ensemble’s repertoire is aimed mainly at an adult audience and includes the following pieces: “Die Entführung aus dem Serail”, “Die Zauberflöte”, “Der Barbier von Sevilla”, “Hänsel und Gretel”, “Carmen”, “Die Fledermaus”, “La Traviata”, “Schwanensee”, “Im weißen Rössl” and “Der Brandner Kaspar und das ewig’ Leben”. The current schedule as well as tickets for the performances are available at the Lindau Tourist Information, among other places. You can also book your ticket online. We recommend planning your visit early, as the approximately 100 seats in the Lindau Marionette Opera are often booked out well in advance.  The recommended minimum age is 8 years.

Learn more about Bernhard Leismüller and his marionettes.

Short performance & look behind the scenes

  • 50 people
  • 400€
  • 1 hour
  • German, English
  • Short performance of a piece from the repertoire (3 arias from The Magic Flute), guided tour behind the scenes
  • Special performances are possible during the regular season and cost 2,400€ (98 seats) regardless of the play performed