Built in 1776-1777 as "Comödien- und Redoutenhaus" for Kurfürst Carl Theodor von der Pfalz by Lorenzo Quaglio as a rebuilding of an early 18th century warehouse. The complex contained a theatre and a concert hall. Opened 6 Jan 1777 with Johann Christian Bock's comedy "Geschwind, ehe es jemand erfährt" (after Goldoni). Subsequently used by touring theatre companies. Re-opened 7 October 1779 as "Nationaltheater" with a permanent ensemble, again with Bock's "Geschwind, ehe es jemand erfährt". 1801 renamed "Hof- und Nationaltheater". 1853-1855 exterior and interior rebuilding by Joseph Mühldorfer (1305 seats). 1899 electrification. 1901-1902 renovations and modernization. 1934 rebuilding of the stagehouse. 1937 rebuilding of roof. Destroyed by bombs on 5 September 1943.

[Not reconstructed due to insufficent space for a modern theatre within the 18th century building. Hence, a new "Nationaltheater" was built in 1952 on another site at Goetheplatz. Today, the B3 quarter is a park called "Schillerplatz", still decorated by the Friedrich Schiller monument that had been located in front of the theatre entrance since 1862.]

Notable world premieres:

• Friedrich Schiller: Die Räuber (13 Jan 1782)
• Max Bruch: Die Loreley (14 June 1863)
• Hermann Götz: Der Widerspenstigen Zähmung (11 Oct 1874)
• Hermann Götz: Francesca von Rimini (30 Sep 1877)
• Hugo Wolf: Der Corregidor (7 June 1896)
• Eugen d'Albert: Gernot (1897)
• Leo Fall: Der fidele Bauer (27 July 1907)
• Egon Wellesz: Das Wunder der Diana / Alkestis (20 Mar 1924)
• Carl Sternheim: Die Schule von Uznach (21 Sep 1926)
• Ernst Toch: Egon und Emilie (21 Oct 1928)
• Georg Kaiser: Mississippi (20 Sep 1930)
• Ernst Toller / Hermann Kesten: Wunder in Amerika (17 Oct 1931)
• Berthold Goldschmidt: Der gewaltige Hahnrei (14 Feb 1932)
• Paul Joseph Cremers: Die Marneschlacht (14 Jan 1933)