Commissioned by the enlightened aristocrat František Antonín Nostitz, the theater was built in the late 18th century, right next to Charles University, thanks to the personal support of Emperor Joseph II. The first stone was laid in 1781 and the theater was inaugurated in 1783 with the tragedy Emilia Galotti by Lessing. This beautiful Neoclassical building, with a façade adorned with double columns and semi-circular arched windows, is the work of architect Antonín Haffenecker. It is one of the only European period theaters that almost hasn’t changed at all since it was constructed. It’s name became “Estates Theater” after it was bought by the Czech Estates in 1798.
Count Nostitz, who was Czech but spoke German, devoted at first the stage to German dramas and Italian operas, prevailing the repertoire until 1920. That year the Estates Theater merged with the National Theater to become a unique institution. The most famous guest of the theater is of course Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He came personally to conduct his opera The Marriage of Figaro, and later to present the world premiere of his Don Giovani, which was acclaimed by the Prague audience. Other renowned artists distinguished themselves here, like Carl Maria von Weber or the virtuoso Nicolo Paganini, and some famous conductor’s batons such as those of Rubinstein, Carl Goldmark and Gustav Mahler have conducted concerts that went down in history. Czechs also remember that this is the place where the operetta Fidlovačka by Josef Kajetán Tyl was presented for the first time. The national anthem Kde Domův Muj? (“Where is my homeland? ») comes from this light opera.
The magnificently decorated hall in a Neo-Baroque style offers great acoustics and seats approximately 600 in various categories (orchestra, balconies and boxes), where you can discover ballets and operas offered by the packed agenda. In this enchanting historic site, Mozart’s ghost is never too far…
Get more information about the program and book tickets via our services.
Address:
Ovocný trh 1 (“Fruit market”)
Prague 1 – Old Town
www.narodni-divadlo.cz
www.narodni-divadlo.cz
