Estates Theatre, Prague, Czech Republic

The Estates Theatre (Stavovské divadlo) is a historic theatre in Prague. It was built during the late 18th century in response to Enlightenment thought regarding general access to the theatre, and theatres themselves demonstrating the cultural standards of a nation. The Estates Theatre was designed by Anton Haffenecker and built in a little less than two years for the aristocrat František Antonín Count Nostitz Rieneck.

Prague's first standing public theatre, the Sporck Theatre, operated from 1724 to 1735. The owner of this theatre, Count Franz Anton von Sporck, permitted the free use of it to subsidize the commercial venture of the Venetian impresario Antonio Denzio. The next commercial theatre, the Kotzentheater, operated sporadically from 1739–1783 under a series of Italian impresarios. The final closure of the Kotzentheater coincided with the opening of Count Nostitz’s Nostitzsches Nationaltheater. The theatre opened in 1783. The building itself was constructed in a Neoclassical style and remains one of the few European theatres to be preserved in its almost original state to the present day.

The Estates Theatre has undergone several changes in its history. It first acquired the name Royal Theatre of the Estates in 1798 when it was purchased by the Czech Estates. With the opening of the Provisional Theatre in 1862, the Theatre of the Estates was dedicated to a German ensemble and renamed the Royal Provincial German Theatre. During the period between 1920 and 1948 the theatre regained the name Theatre of the Estates and became affiliated with the National Theatre. In 1948 the theatre was renamed the Tyl Theatre and would be known as such until 1990 when, at the end of an eight-year reconstruction project, it became known again as the Estates Theatre.

The Estates Theatre currently offers performances of dramas, ballets and operas with the focus of the opera company on the work of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. A more contemporary claim to fame originates from the Oscar-winning film Amadeus, directed by Czech director Miloš Forman. The scenes of Mozart in Prague were shot at the Estates Theatre for authenticity.

References:

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User Reviews

Eagle Eye (6 months ago)
This Neo-Classical building opened in 1783, and originally named the Nostitz Theatre. It was later renamed the Tyl Theatre. It was here on 29 October 1787 that the world premiere of Mozart's Don Giovanni took place, written especially for his Prague audience. The theatre was used in the filming of the movie, Amadeus.

Doron Maoz (6 months ago)
Beautiful theater in the middle of the old city of Prague.

Francesco Cali (7 months ago)
Really nice medium sized theater, we watched a ballet from the balcony and everything was perfect, recommended

Antonis Maronikolakis (7 months ago)
A fantastic little theatre, with a ton of history. Managed to watch a Don Giovanni performance there, very entertaining! Also, fun fact, that's the theatre where Don Giovanni debuted!

Dave Gibelli (8 months ago)
Amazing theatre and the production was absolutely amazing. I saw Don Giovanni and the cast were very good and the orchestra were very good too. Highly recommended.

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