[First theatre on the site built 1709 by A. Beduzzi for the city of Vienna. Opened 1709 by an Italian drama company. Subsequently mainly used for comedy performances, including Anton Saritzky in his legendary comic stage role, "Hans Wurst". Destroyed by a fire in 1761.]

Second "Kärtnertortheater" built 1761-1763 as "Kaiserliches Hoftheater" by Nicolo von Pacassi. Opened 9 July 1763 with a "Festspiel" by Friedrich Wilhelm Weiskern. Since the early 19th century, mainly used for opera and ballet performances. After the new Hofoper had opened in 1869, the old theatre was first used for smaller-scale opera performances, but eventually closed 9 July 1870. Demolished 1873-1874.

[1876, the "Hotel Sacher" was built on the site.]

Notable world premieres:

• Peter von Winter: Das unterbrochene Opferfest (14 June 1796)
• Vincenzo Righini: Il convitato di pietro (21 Aug 1777)
• Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf: Doktor und Apotheker (11 July 1786)
• Antonio Salieri: Palmira, Regina di Persia (14 Oct 1795)
• Ferdinando Paer: Il fanatico in Berlina (1797)
• Antonio Salieri: Falstaff (3 Jan 1799)
• Ferdinando Paer: Camilla (23 Feb 1799)
• Antonio Salieri: Cesare in Farmacusa (2 Jun 1800)
• Antonio Salieri: Angiolina (22 Oct 1800)
• Ferdinando Paer: Poche ma buone, ossia Le donne cambiate (18 Dec 1800)
• Ferdinando Paer: Achille (6 June 1801)
• Luigi Cherubini: Faniska (25 Feb 1806)
• Joseph Weigl: Die Schweizer Familie (14 Mar 1809)
• Joseph Weigl: Der Bergsturz (19 Dec 1813)
• Ludwig van Beethoven: Fidelio (2nd version, 23 May 1814)
• Franz Schubert: Zwillingsbrüder (14 June 1820)
• Conradin Kreutzer: Libussa (4 Dec 1822)
• Carl Maria von Weber: Euryanthe (25 Oct 1823)
• Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 (7 May 1824)
• Gaetano Donizetti: Linda di Chamounix (19 May 1842)
• Gaetano Donizetti: Maria di Rohan (5 June 1843)
• Friedrich von Flotow: Martha (25 Nov 1847)
• Anton Rubinstein: Die Kinder der Heide (23 Feb 1861)