THEATRES

National Theatre

The National Theatre, a symbol of the Czech nation can be found on the bank of the Vltava on Národní Street. The idea of its construction emerged among Czech patriots in 1844. For financial reasons, it was not possible to realise its construction for a long time. Ultimately the foundation stone was laid on 16 May 1868. Construction in the style of North Italian Renaissance lasted 13 years.

The theatre opened on 11 June 1881 with a premiere performance of Bedřich Smetana's Libuše. Libuše was composed especially for this occasion and personally conducted at a time when Smetana was already deaf. Several performances were staged and the theatre closed down for finishing work. During this period on 12 August a tragic fire broke out, which destroyed the copper dome, the auditorium, as well as the stage.

Two years later the theatre was opened anew, again with a performance of Libuše, and from that time onwards it served its purpose without a major reconstruction for almost one hundred years. Another reconstruction at the beginning of the 1990s determined its present appearance. Opera, ballet and drama performances are on the programme. The interior of the theatre can be visited as part of a guided tour.

Stavovské (Estates) Theatre

The Stavovské Theatre, which is located on the Fruit Market (Ovocný trh), is comparable to theatres in Leoven and Styria existing as one of the only theatres in Europe that have remained preserved in near original condition. Enlightened patriot František Antonín NosticRieneck had the theatre built as a stage for the public. The classicist building by architect Antonín Haffenecker opened on 21 April 1783 with Lessing's tragedy “Emilia Galloti”.

The theatre had a capacity of 1,000 visitors at that time. The capacity was later, with regard to higher comfort for the visitors, limited to 659 seats. Count NosticRieneck's original idea was to stage just German drama and Italian opera in the theatre. However, there repertoire soon included Czech productions.

The theatre was later bought from the count by Czech estates (stavy) that changed its name from Nosticovo to Stavovské. The theatre became famous particularly in the year 1787 when the opera Don Giovanni by Mozart had its premiere there. At present the Stavovské theatre is a branch stage of the National Theatre. In addition to the dramatic ensemble there is also the opera ensemble of the National Theatre, which stages a mainly Mozartian repertoire.