The Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz, commonly called the Gärtnerplatztheater, is an opera house and opera company in Munich (the "Gärtnerplatz" is an urban square in the borough Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt). Designed by Franz Michael Reiffenstuel, it opened on 4 November 1865 as the city's second major theatre after the National Theatre.
- Venue
- Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz
- Address
- Gärtnerplatz 3,Reichenbachstraße 16 g
- Town
- Munich, DE
The Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz, commonly called the Gärtnerplatztheater, is an opera house and opera company in Munich (the "Gärtnerplatz" is an urban square in the borough Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt). Designed by Franz Michael Reiffenstuel, it opened on 4 November 1865 as the city's second major theatre after the National Theatre. At times exclusively concerned with operetta, in recent years there have also been productions of opera, musicals and ballet. The scope of activities is similar to that of the Komische Oper Berlin and the English National Opera in London. One of the most active theatres in Germany, its season lasts from September to July and comprises more than 200 performances. The current intendant is Josef Ernst Köpplinger. In 1863, a committee for the founding of a Volkstheater (people's theatre) formed. Ludwig II of Bavaria authorized a new building in the borough Isarvorstadt on 10 May 1864. It was designed by Franz Michael Reiffenstuel, who modelled it after the Nationaltheater in classicist style. The groundbreaking was on 25 August 1864, and the topping out was celebrated on 27 May 1865. The house was opened on 4 November 1865, with Duke Maximilian Joseph in Bavaria representing the king. The opening performance was a Prologue followed by an allegorical festive play (Festspiel) by Hermann Schmid, Was wir wollen (What we want), with music by Georg Kremplsetzer. The house, intended to show a different repertory than the court theatre, met with financial problems, under frequently changing directors. It had to be sold in March 1870, went first to the former director Friedrich Engelken, shortly thereafter to the architect and a partner, who bought it for the king, who acquired it officially in May 1870. It was reopened on 1 October 1870, directed by Hermann von Schmid. In 1873, Ludwig II granted it the name "Königliches Theater am Gärtnerplatz" (Royal theatre at the Gärtnerplatz). From 1877, Karl von Perfall directed the house and also the Hofth