Zermatt open-air theatre ‘The Matterhorn Story’

Exactly ten years after the huge success of ‘The Matterhorn Story’, the Zermatt Open Air Theatre is celebrating a comeback of this true work written especially for Zermatt in summer 2025.

Who doesn't remember? High-quality theatre art, embedded in a harmonious musical accompaniment and in front of the legendary backdrop of the Matterhorn. 26,000 visitors are moved by ‘The Matterhorn Story’ on the Riffelberg. The 150th anniversary of the first ascent of the Matterhorn in summer 2015 remains unforgettable for visitors from near and far as well as locals thanks to this work.

At the time, the production generated a media response that reached far beyond Switzerland's borders. ‘The Matterhorn Story’ tells this formative milestone in the history of Zermatt in an emotional way that really immerses the audience in the story. The first ascent of the Matterhorn on 14 July 1865 is still regarded today as the - albeit dramatic - starting signal for tourism in Zermatt.

The Bernese author and director Livia Anne Richard has once again been recruited to realise the project. In addition to ‘The Matterhorn Story’, Richard wrote and directed ‘Romeo and Juliet on the Gornergrat’ for the Riffelberg in 2015 and ‘Matterhorn - No Ladies Please’ in 2019.

The basic messages and core messages of ‘The Matterhorn Story’ will not be changed for the revival next summer. However, Richard is taking the right to use her artistic freedom and change individual narrative strands in the play or tweak small nuances. In doing so, the experienced author and director also aims to set new accents for people who have already seen the production ten years ago.

‘The Matterhorn Story’ will be performed from 27 June - 23 August 2025 at the proven and unique Riffelberg venue. Performances will take place from Thursday to Saturday at 7.30 pm and on Sunday at 2 pm. Wednesday is an alternative date throughout the season in the event of weather-related postponements. A total of 30 performances are planned with a capacity of 500 spectators per performance.