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.

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Address

Ovocný trh 11, Prague, Czech Republic
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Details

Founded: 1783
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More Information

www.estatestheatre.cz
en.wikipedia.org
www.prague.eu

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


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User Reviews

Argel Landeros (4 months ago)
An unforgettable place in Prague where Mozart's Don Giovanni was performed for the first time, a must in your Prague trip...!
Conchur de Barra (4 months ago)
Beautiful old theatre, magnificently maintained throughout, attended Don Giovanni here, such a great show, boxes are a must!
Svetlana Tesikova (5 months ago)
Great place to visit. Went for dating with my oldest daughter. We were exited!!
Jordan Lee (6 months ago)
Extremely unfriendly staff here.. first unpleasant experience i had in Prague. I was making a filming location video on Amadeus, and even after offering to pay full price for performance ticket, and only asking to take a photo from the side or at the conclusion, they smuggly said no... pretty sad folks working here.. it would have been good promotion for their theatre. Now it will be the opposite in my video.
yvette ramirez (7 months ago)
GORGEOUS THEATRE HOW LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN PRESENT FOR FIDELIO! remember to keep quiet during the performances- was shocked no ushers came around to quiet the talkers. This is a house of classical music worship- should be treated as such!
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