The “Stiftung Oper in Berlin” (Berlin Opera Foundation) was founded on January 1st 2004, combining the five independent institutions – Deutsche Oper Berlin, Komische Oper Berlin, Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Staatsballett Berlin and “Bühnenservice Berlin” (Stage Services Company) – under one roof. Besides the Head Office, centralized departments for Finance and Accounts and for Human Resources for all companies operate under the roof of the foundation.

The three opera houses remain autonomous institutions with their own Artistic Directors – Matthias Schulz, Barrie Kosky, Dietmar Schwarz – and their own budgets. The same applies to the ballet company under the artistic direction of Johannes Öhman. The Stage Services Company, which merges the costume and stage design workshops into one organization, is also an individual institution under the direction of Rolf D. Suhl. Between the Stage Service Company and the four artistic companies exists an obligation of contract that binds the artistic companies to use the Stage Service Company’s services for the construction of sets and costumes.

The Foundation acts as employer for all staff of the five companies and owns all buildings: opera venues, storage depots, administrative office spaces and workshops. The Foundation receives public grants from the Land Berlin and the Federal Government in order to fulfil its tasks. The Land Berlin covers the costs of the maintenance of all buildings and any necessary construction works. The overall grant from the Land Berlin (Federal State of Berlin) for the financial year 2018 is 142.5 million Euros (additionally there is the grant from the Federal Government of 10 million Euros).