Berlin State Opera - history and modernity

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Berlin is rightfully considered one of the centers of European culture. Firstly, almost the entire city consists of architectural sights - many ancient buildings and cathedrals have been preserved here in their original form or have been restored. For example, the Berlin State Opera, the Brandenburg Gate, Gendarmenkmart Square and many others. Secondly, there are more than 170 different museums in Berlin, where rare exhibits from antiquity are presented.

Libraries, museums, galleries, exhibitions - all this makes the city so attractive for both locals and tourists. In addition, studies conducted among expats have shown that Berlin is the best capital in the world. This is the opinion of 84% of the people surveyed.

Musical life of the city

Berlin is the music capital of Germany. At the same time, classical traditions are maintained here and at the same time new musical trends are developing.

However, everything starts with the classics. Numerous concert halls, music halls, theaters in Berlin - they all attract a huge audience.

There are 15 theaters in Berlin. Among them: the Berlin National Opera, the Drama Theatre, the Schiller Theatre, the Gorky Theatre, the Potsdamer Platz Theater and others. Each of them can be proud of their own unique history, however, first of all, you need to know about the most significant attraction.

Berlin State Opera

She is also called German. This is the oldest existing theater in the capital of Germany and, obviously, the most visited. The luxurious hall can accommodate 1300 people.

It was here that the premiere of Wagner's "Free Gunner" took place, the famous "Russian Seasons", the tour of the most outstanding bass - Fyodor Chaliapin took place.

History of the theater

In 1741, King Frederick II ordered the construction of a theater in Berlin. The work was entrusted to the architect Georg von Knobelsdorff. The very next year, the Royal Court Opera House was opened. The first work staged on her stage was "Cleopatra and Caesar" by Karl Graun. Exactly 100 years later, “Free Shooter” was staged here.

The theater constantly hosted symphony and chamber concerts, operas were conducted by the famous composer and conductor Felix Mendelssohn.

However, in 1843, a strong fire destroyed the building almost completely. Therefore, until 1844, the building was reconstructed. The city could not remain without a theater for so long, a new opera was built in the shortest possible time.

After the history of the theater is replenished with the premieres of Meyerbeer's operas "Camp in Silesia" and "The Merry Wives of Windsor". In the new hallconducted by Richard Strauss himself.

The fate of the National Opera in the XX century

After the collapse of the German Empire in 1918, the theater was renamed the State Opera at Unter den Linden.

The theater starts cooperation with outstanding conductors and composers from all over the world. The names of Bruno W alter, Richard Strauss, Otto Klemperer and others sound here.

The Berlin State Opera also closely cooperates with Russia - Diaghilev's Ballets Russes has been touring here for two years. Fyodor Chaliapin, Ida Rubinstein, Mikhail Fokin and Tamara Karsavina are touring on stage. The theater is becoming the epicenter of cultural life not only in Germany, but throughout the world.

Unfortunately, the Second World War did not bypass the National Opera. Until 1945, the building was destroyed three times. Most of the troupe was destroyed.

Post-war years

The final restoration was completed only in 1955. The opening of the new hall was marked by the staging of Wagner's opera Die Meistersinger of Nuremberg.

The creation of the Berlin Wall also could not but affect the life of the theater - after 1961 the number of productions was reduced, the troupe vividly felt the isolation of German opera from the whole world. But, despite the difficulties, the theater management did its best to support life in the theater.

After the reunification of the city, Daniel Barenboim became the head of the theater, who did his best to restore the popularity of the opera.

In 2010 a newrestoration, the purpose of which was to revive the original appearance of the building, as well as the transfer of all administrative premises and halls for rehearsals to the new building. Construction dragged on for 7 years. At this time, the theater troupe moved to the Schiller Theater.

In 2017, during the famous festival “Opera for All”, the grand opening of the restored hall was made. This date coincided with the 275th anniversary of the legendary theatre.

Today, works by Mozart, Bizet, Wagner, Verdi, Strauss, Shostakovich, Rossini, Gounod, Tchaikovsky and others are staged at the Berlin State Opera.

So, if you find yourself in the capital of Germany and still can't decide where to go in Berlin, be sure to visit the National Opera. You will feel the atmosphere of the old theater and will be able to see some of the best opera productions in the world. You can find the opera house on the main street of Berlin - Unter den Linden.