Death of a Salesman
The world is a stage
Stuttgart State Theatre is the world’s largest tripartite theatre. The world of the opera, ballet and theatre is played out on this stage by outstanding performers to rapturous audiences.
Mit dem „Neuen Lusthaus“ als Bühne des Württembergischen Hofes reicht die Geschichte der Oper in Stuttgart bis in das 17. Jahrhundert zurück. Der Renaissancebau am Schlossplatz wurde 1902 bei einem Brand zerstört. Nur die Freitreppe, die noch heute im Mittleren Schlossgarten zu sehen ist, blieb erhalten. Die neuen Königlichen Hoftheater wurden 1909 bis 1912 von dem Münchner Architekten Max Littmann als Doppeltheater mit Opern- und Schauspielhaus neu erbaut. Eine der ersten Aufführungen, die nach der Einweihung stattfand, war die Uraufführung von Richard Strauss‘ „Ariadne auf Naxos“, dirigiert vom Komponisten selbst. Nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg blieb nur das mit klassizistischen Säulen geschmückte Große Haus für die Oper Stuttgart und das Stuttgarter Ballett erhalten.
The history of the opera reaches back to the 17th century with the “Neues Lusthaus”, the stage of the Württemberg royal court. The Renaissance building on Schlossplatz was destroyed by a re in 1902. All that remains is the outside staircase, which stands today in the centre castle garden. The new “königliche Hoftheater” (royal court theatres) were built by Munich architect Max Littmann from 1909 to 1912 as a double theatre with an opera and playhouse. One of the first performances after the in- auguration was the premiere of Richard Strauss’ “Ariadne on Naxos“ conducted by the composer himself. After the Second World War only the ‘Große Haus’ auditorium decorated with its classicist columns was preserved for the Stuttgart opera and ballet.
The ‘Kleines Haus’ auditorium was completely destroyed and replaced by a new building from 1959 to 1962 designed by Hans Volkart. The ‘Große Haus’ was modernised in 1956 and restored to its original form in 1983/84. In 2001, the buildings were renamed as the Opernhaus (opera house) and Schauspiel- haus (playhouse). The Stuttgart playhouse provides significant impulses in the German theatre scene. It is one of Germany’s most important and prestigious theatres.
The Stuttgart State Opera, with the opera house in the castle garden, has won the coveted reviewer’s award “Opera house of the Year” seven times in all (1994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006 and 2016) for its outstanding overall performance. The State Opera Choir is also celebrated. It has won the title of “Opera Chorus of the Year” no fewer than nine times. It is among the oldest opera choruses in Germany and one of the best opera choruses in European music theatre.
The history of the opera reaches back to the 17th century with the “Neues Lusthaus”, the stage of the Württemberg royal court. The Renaissance building on Schlossplatz was destroyed by a fire in 1902. All that remains is the outside staircase, which stands today in the centre castle garden. The new “königliche Hoftheater” (royal court theatres) were built by Munich architect Max Littmann from 1909 to 1912 as a double theatre with an opera and playhouse. One of the first performances after the inauguration was the premiere of Richard Strauss’ “Ariadne on Naxos“ conducted by the composer himself. After the Second World War only the ‘Große Haus’ auditorium decorated with its classicist columns was preserved for the Stuttgart opera and ballet.
The ‘Kleines Haus’ auditorium was completely destroyed and replaced by a new building from 1959 to 1962 designed by Hans Volkart. The ‘Große Haus’ was modernised in 1956 and restored to its original form in 1983/84. In 2001, the buildings were renamed as the Opernhaus (opera house) and Schauspiel- haus (playhouse). The Stuttgart playhouse provides significant impulses in the German theatre scene. It is one of Germany’s most important and prestigious theatres.
The Stuttgart State Opera, with the opera house in the castle garden, has won the coveted reviewer’s award “Opera house of the Year” seven times in all (1994, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006 and 2016) for its outstanding overall performance. The State Opera Choir is also celebrated. It has won the title of “Opera Chorus of the Year” no fewer than nine times. It is among the oldest opera choruses in Germany and one of the best opera choruses in European music theatre.
Stuttgart’s State Orchestra is the resident orchestra of Stuttgart State Theatre. Looking back on 425 years of history, it is one of Germany’s oldest and most tradition orchestras. Awarded the title of “Orchestra of the Year” in 2002, the State Orchestra accompanies more than 250 opera and ballet performances each season. It also plays in symphony and chamber concerts at up to 50 additional venues in the opera house and Stuttgart Liederhalle; it gives free lunch and children’s concerts and is actively engaged as patron of the Baden-Württemberg State Youth Orchestra.
The Stuttgart Ballet has been at the forefront of international dance for more than 50 years. The company of over 60 dancers from more than 20 countries is a firm fixture on the international dance scene with invitations to perform all over world. Its very varied repertoire captivates lovers of both classical ballet and contemporary dance. Ballet enjoys a rich tradition in Stuttgart stretching back to the 18th century. In 1961, a new era began with the appointment of choreographer John Cranko (1927–1973) as ballet director. Cranko became the genial innovator of the story ballet with three legendary new creations: Romeo and Julia, Onegin and The Taming of the Shrew. American reviewers coined the term the “Stuttgart ballet miracle” during Stuttgart Ballet’s first guest performance in the USA in 1969. From 1976 to 1996, the company was directed by the great ballerina Marcia Haydée. Reid Anderson, former solo dancer under Cranko, has continued the company’s success story since 1996: the repertoire accords the younger generation of choreographers a high status while at the same time preserving the rich Cranko legacy.
