Munich, National Theatre

The Bayerische Staatsoper or Bavarian State Opera is an opera company in Munich and is one of the leading opera companies in Germany and the world and has existed since 1653. Its orchestra is the Bavarian State Orchestra. Image File history File links Nationaltheater, München, Bayern, Deutschland Photograph: Luidger (29. ... Image File history File links Nationaltheater, München, Bayern, Deutschland Photograph: Luidger (29. ... The foyer of Charles Garniers Opéra, Paris, opened 1875 Opera refers to a dramatic art form, originating in Europe, in which the emotional content is conveyed to the audience as much through music, both vocal and instrumental, as it is through the lyrics. ... Munich and the Bavarian Alps Munich (German: München, (pronounced listen) is the largest city and capital of the German Federal State of Bavaria. ...

While it performs in the Prinzregententheater (a house built in the early years of the 20th Century and which is not unlike the Bayreuth theatre built to Wagner’s specifications) and the Cuvilliès Theatre, (built in the 1730s and described by Beauvert as “a Rococo gem”), the Bavarian State Opera Company’s home base is the Nationaltheater Muenchen or National Theatre on Max-Joseph-Platz. The Bayreuth Festspielhaus (Bayreuth Festival Theatre) is an opera house built to the north of the town of Bayreuth in Germany, dedicated to the performance of Richard Wagners operas. ... Munich, National Theatre The home base of The Bayerische Staatsoper or Bavarian State Opera in Munich is the National Theatre or Nationaltheater Muenchen on Max-Joseph-Platz. ... Munich, National Theatre The home base of The Bayerische Staatsoper or Bavarian State Opera in Munich is the National Theatre or Nationaltheater Muenchen on Max-Joseph-Platz. ...

After the first theatre, commissioned by King Maximilian 1st of Bavaria, which opened in 1818 with ‘’Die Weihe’’ by Ferdinand Fränzl, was destroyed by fire in 1823, it was reconstructed and re-opened in 1825. This second theatre, designed by Karl von Fisher, incorporated neo-Greek features as seen in its portico and triangular pediment.

During these years, it was to see the premieres of a significant number of operas, including many by German composers. These included Wagner’s ‘’Tristan und Isolde’’ (1865); ‘’Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg’’ (1968); ‘’Das Rheingold’’ (1869); and ‘’Die Walküre’’ (1870) after which Richard Wagner chose to built a theatre in Bayreuth and continued performances there. Tristan und Isolde (Tristan and Isolde) is an opera in three acts by Richard Wagner to a German libretto by the composer, based on the romance by Gottfried von Strassburg, which in turn was based on the story of Tristan and Isolde incorporated into Arthurian legend from earlier interpretations of... Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (The Master Singers of Nuremberg) is an opera in three acts, written and composed by Richard Wagner. ... For the famous train, see Rheingold Express. ... Die Walküre (The Valkyrie) is the second of the four operas that comprise Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung), by Richard Wagner. ... Richard Wagner Wilhelm Richard Wagner (May 22, 1813 in Leipzig[1] – February 13, 1883 in Venice[2]) was an influential German composer, conductor, music theorist, and essayist, primarily known for his operas (or music dramas as he later came to call them). ...

During the latter part of the 19th Century, it was Richard Strauss who would make his mark on the Theatre in the city in which he was born in 1864. After accepting the position of conductor for a short time, Strauss returned to the theatre to become chief conductor from 1894 to 1898. In the pre-War period, his ‘’Friedenstag’’ (1938) and ‘’Capriccio’’ were premiered in Munich. Although somewhat modified in 1930 to create an enlarged stage area with updated equipment, the second theatre survived until Second World War bombing destroyed it in October 1943. Richard Strauss (June 11, 1864 – September 8, 1949) was a German composer of the late Romantic era, particularly noted for his tone poems and operas. ... Capriccio is an opera by German composer Richard Strauss. ...

Based on the original plans by Karl von Fisher, the architect Gerhardt Graaubner recreated the original neo-classical 2100 seat theatre. Albeit somewhat enlarged and only the foyer and main staircase retaining their original look, the theatre opened on 22nd November 1963 with a performance of Richard Wagner ‘s ‘’Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg’’. In the post-War period, the house has seen significant productions and many world premieres. Richard Wagner Wilhelm Richard Wagner (May 22, 1813 in Leipzig[1] – February 13, 1883 in Venice[2]) was an influential German composer, conductor, music theorist, and essayist, primarily known for his operas (or music dramas as he later came to call them). ... Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (The Master Singers of Nuremberg) is an opera in three acts, written and composed by Richard Wagner. ...

Since 1998 Zubin Mehta has been the music director of the Bavarian State Opera and Bavarian State Orchestra. Zubin Mehta, photo by Wilfried Hösl Zubin Mehta (born April 29, 1936) is an Indian-born conductor of European classical music. ... The title of music director is used by many orchestras to designate the primary conductor of the orchestra. ...

Sir Peter Jonas became Staatsintendant (General Director) in 1993. He is the first British Intendant of the Staatsoper and the first British Intendant of any major German speaking Opera House.

Managers

• 1867 – 1893: Karl von Perfall
• Ernst von Possart
• Clemens Krauss
• Georg Hartmann
• 1952 – 1967: Rudolf Hartmann
• 1967 – 1976: Günther Rennert
• 1977 – 1982: August Everding
• 1983 – 1993: Wolfgang Sawallisch
• 1993 – 2006: Sir Peter Jonas
• 2006 - 2008: Kent Nagano (Interim)
• from 2008: Klaus Bachler

Clemens Krauss (born in Vienna, March 31, 1893 – buried at Mexico City, May 16, 1954) was an Austrian conductor famed for his interpretations of the music of Richard Strauss, Richard Wagner and other German composers. ... Wolfgang Sawallisch (born August 26, 1923) is a German conductor and pianist. ... Kent Nagano is the current music director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal. ...

General Music Directors

• 1836 – 1867: Franz Lachner
• 1867 – 1869: Hans von Bülow
• 1870 – 1877: Franz Wüllner
• 1872 – 1896: Hermann Levi
• 1894 – 1896: Richard Strauss
• 1901 – 1903: Hermann Zumpe
• 1904 – 1911: Felix Mottl
• 1913 – 1922: Bruno Walter
• 1922 – 1935: Hans Knappertsbusch
• 1937 – 1944: Clemens Krauss
• 1945: Hans Knappertsbusch
• 1946 – 1952: Georg Solti
• 1952 – 1954: Rudolf Kempe
• 1956 – 1958: Ferenc Fricsay
• 1959 – 1968: Joseph Keilberth
• 1971 – 1992: Wolfgang Sawallisch
• 1998 – 2006: Zubin Mehta
• from 2006: Kent Nagano

Franz Paul Lachner (April 2, 1803 - January 20, 1890) was a German composer and conductor. ... Hans von Bülow. ... Franz Wüllner (born 28 January 1832 in Münster, died 7 September 1902 in Braunfels) was a German composer and conductor. ... Hermann Levi (born November 7, 1839 in Giessen; died May 13, 1900 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen) was a German orchestral conductor. ... Richard Strauss (June 11, 1864 – September 8, 1949) was a German composer of the late Romantic era, particularly noted for his tone poems and operas. ... Hermann Zumpe (born 9 April, 1850 in Oppach, died 4 September, 1903 in Munich was a German conductor. ... Felix Mottl (1856-1911) was an Austrian conductor and composer. ... Bruno Walter (September 15, 1876 - February 17, 1962) was a German-born conductor and composer. ... Hans Knappertsbusch (March 12, 1888 - October 25, 1965) German conductor born in Elberfeld (present-day Wuppertal), best known for his performances of the music of Richard Wagner, Anton Bruckner and Richard Strauss. ... Clemens Krauss (born in Vienna, March 31, 1893 – buried at Mexico City, May 16, 1954) was an Austrian conductor famed for his interpretations of the music of Richard Strauss, Richard Wagner and other German composers. ... Hans Knappertsbusch (March 12, 1888 - October 25, 1965) German conductor born in Elberfeld (present-day Wuppertal), best known for his performances of the music of Richard Wagner, Anton Bruckner and Richard Strauss. ... Sir Georg Solti, KBE (pronounced ) (born György Stern, 21 October 1912 - 5 September 1997) was a world-renowned Hungarian-born British orchestral and operatic conductor, who was still actively engaged in performing right up until his death. ... Rudolf Kempe (June 14, 1910 – May 12, 1976) was a German conductor. ... Ferenc Fricsay (1914 - 20 February 1963) was a Hungarian conductor. ... Joseph Keilberth ( born April 19, 1908 in Karlsruhe, died July 20, 1968 in Munich) was a German conductor. ... Wolfgang Sawallisch (born August 26, 1923) is a German conductor and pianist. ... Zubin Mehta, photo by Wilfried Hösl Zubin Mehta (born April 29, 1936) is an Indian-born conductor of European classical music. ... Kent Nagano is the current music director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal. ...

External links

• Bavarian State Opera website, where photo tours are available
• History (in German)
• Short history