Karlsruhe: Badisches Staatstheater (old)

Country: Germany (Deutschland)
State: Baden-Württemberg
City: Karlsruhe
Location: Schloßplatz

[1st theatre on the site built 1806-1808 as "Großherzogliches Hoftheater" by Friedrich Weinbrenner for Grandduke Karl Friedrich of Baden, replacing an "Orangerie" building. Opened 9 Nov 1808 with two operas by Spindler. Destroyed by fire on 28 Feb 1847, killing 64 members of the audience.]

Built 1849-1853 as "Großherzogliches Hoftheater" by Heinrich Hübsch. Opened 17 May 1853 with Schiller's "Die Jungfrau von Orleans". 1918 renamed "Badisches Landestheater". 1933 renamed "Badisches Staatstheater". Originally ca. 2000 seats, later 1553 seats. Used for opera, drama and ballet performances by the resident companies. Destroyed by bombs on 26/27 Sep 1944. Remains subsequently demolished.

[In 1945, the resident companies moved to the Konzerthaus. In 1950, the drama company moved to the Stadthalle.]

[After plans to build a new theatre on the site, it was eventually decided to build the "Bundesverfassungsgericht" (Federal Supreme Court) there. 1970-1975, a new "Badisches Staatstheater" was built on another site in Baumeisterstraße.]

Notable world premieres:

  • Hector Berlioz: Les Troyens (Acts 1 and 2, staged premiere, 6 Dec 1890)
  • Friedrich Klose: Ilsebill (7 May 1903)

[Karlsruhe: Badisches Staatstheater (old)] Reverse Text: "Karlsruhe"
Publisher: Erha Foto-Technik Bildverlag, München
Type: late 20th century real photo postcard of a 19th century engraving
Size: Modern
Not sent.

[Karlsruhe: Badisches Staatstheater (old)] Front Text: "Karlsruhe i. B., Theater und Schlossplatz"
Publisher: Felix Luib Kunstverlagsanstalt, Straßburg (= Strasbourg, France)
Type: Undivided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: from Karlsruhe to Köln, 1908

[Karlsruhe: Badisches Staatstheater (old)] Reverse Text: "Karlsruhe, Hoftheater"
Publisher: Postkartenverlag Geschwister Moos, Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden/Genf; No. 2548
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: by German Forces' Postal Service, from Ettlingen, 1916

[Karlsruhe: Badisches Staatstheater (old)] Front Text: "Karlsruhe, Hoftheater", signed: "Hempfing"
Publisher: "Herausgegeben vom Stadtrat" [published by the city council]
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Not sent.

[Karlsruhe: Badisches Staatstheater (old)] Reverse Text: "Karlsruhe, Landestheater"
Publisher: Verlag Ermil Hartmann, Mannheim; 452
Type: Real Photo
Size: Classic
Not sent.

[Karlsruhe: Badisches Staatstheater (old)] Front Text: "Lernt Deutschland kennen! Das badische Staatstheater Karlsruhe zu besuchen, bedeutet kulturellen Gewinn"
Type: Postal card with printed stamp; No. 36 - 67 - 1 - B1
Size: Modern
Sent: from Tilsit (= Sovetsk, Russia) to (Karlsruhe-)Durlach, redirected to (Todtnau-)Muggenbrunn, 1936


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