Altes Residenztheater

Description

Within the ensemble of the Munich Residenz, the Cuvilliés Theatre occupies an outstanding position as a Rococo theatre and is among the most important buildings by its architect François de Cuvilliés in Munich.

The theatre was built after a fire at the Residenz in 1750 at a new site northeast of today's Max-Joseph-Platz. Construction took place between 1751 and 1753; the opening was on 12 October 1753 with the opera Catone in Utica. The interior is decorated in red and gold and features a horseshoe-shaped auditorium with four tiers and 14 boxes on each. The Elector's box, which spans two storeys and faces the audience, forms the design focal point; opposite it, above the stage, is the alliance coat of arms of Elector Maximilian III Joseph and his consort. The spatial design reflects the social hierarchy of the time: lavishly furnished boxes for the high nobility, progressively simpler fittings in the upper tiers, and a plain parterre.

Initially Italian opera dominated the repertoire; the house was used especially during Carnival and court festivities. It experienced numerous premieres, including early works by an electoral chamber music director and Mozart's Idomeneo in 1781. Over the course of the 19th century the use and fittings changed several times: after conversions and the storage of stage equipment, it reopened in 1857. Toward the end of the 19th century, performances faithful to Mozart's originals were revived; technical innovations such as a revolving stage were introduced. Significant world premieres of the 20th century also took place.

During the Second World War the wooden stage inventory was moved out before the Residenz complex was destroyed; after extensive restoration the parts were transferred in 1956–1958 to the former apothecary floor and integrated into the rebuilt Residenz ensemble. The reopening took place in 1958 with Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro. Since then the house has served as a venue for high-level cultural events, has undergone several restorations, and in 2008, after another overhaul of the stage technology, was put back into operation with Idomeneo. Today the theatre is part of the repertoire of the Bayerisches Staatsschauspiel and additionally presents performances by the opera studio.