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Margravial Opera House Bayreuth

Bayreuth, Germany
18.06.2018

Markgräfliches Opernhaus Bayreuth is a historic opera house located in the city of Bayreuth, Germany. Built in the 18th century, it is one of the few remaining baroque opera houses in Europe and is considered a masterpiece of Baroque architecture.

The opera house was commissioned by Margravine Wilhelmine of Bayreuth, a patron of the arts and sister of Prussian King Frederick the Great. It was designed by renowned architect Giuseppe Galli Bibiena and opened in 1748 with a performance of the opera "Artaserse" by Johann Adolf Hasse.

The interior of the opera house is lavishly decorated with intricate frescoes, ornate chandeliers, and gilded accents. The main auditorium features three tiers of seating, with a capacity of over 500 people. The stage is adorned with a magnificent proscenium arch and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, making it a perfect venue for opera and other musical performances.

Over the years, the Markgräfliches Opernhaus Bayreuth has hosted numerous renowned opera singers and composers, including Richard Wagner, who premiered his opera "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg" here in 1871. The opera house also served as the venue for the Bayreuth Festival, an annual music festival dedicated to the works of Wagner, from 1876 to 1882.

Today, the opera house is open to the public for guided tours and hosts occasional performances, keeping its rich musical tradition alive. It has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a must-visit for anyone interested in history, architecture, and classical music. So, whether you are a fan of opera or simply appreciate the beauty of historic buildings, a visit to the Markgräfliches Opernhaus Bayreuth is sure to be a memorable experience.


A masterpiece of Baroque theatre architecture, built between 1745 and 1750, the Opera House is the only entirely preserved example of its type where an audience of 500 can experience Baroque court opera culture and acoustics authentically, as its auditorium retains its original materials, i.e. wood and canvas. Commissioned by Margravine Wilhelmine, wife of Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg–Bayreuth, it was designed by the renowned theatre architect Giuseppe Galli Bibiena. As a court opera house in a public space, it foreshadowed the large public theatres of the 19th century. The highly decorated theatre’s tiered loge structure of wood with illusionistic painted canvas represents the ephemeral ceremonial architectural tradition that was employed in pageants and celebrations for princely self-representation.

The Margravial Opera House (German: Markgräfliches Opernhaus) is a Baroque opera house in the town of Bayreuth, Germany. Built between 1745 and 1750, it is one of Europe's few surviving theatres of the period and has been extensively restored. On 30 June 2012, the opera house was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List because of its exceptional Baroque architecture.

wikipedia.org