Estates Theatre facts for kids
| Stavovské divadlo | |
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| Address | Prague Czech Republic |
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| Coordinates | 50°05′10″N 14°25′26″E / 50.08611°N 14.42389°E |
| Operator | National Theatre (Prague) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1783 |
| Architect | Anton Haffenecker |
The Estates Theatre (in Czech: Stavovské divadlo) is a very old and famous theater in Prague, Czech Republic. It is connected to the National Theatre group. This means its talented actors, singers, and dancers perform there. They put on exciting operas, beautiful ballets, and interesting plays.
Contents
History of the Estates Theatre
Building the Theatre
The Estates Theatre was built in the late 1700s. At that time, people believed that everyone should be able to enjoy theater. They also thought that theaters showed how cultured a country was.
The theater was designed by Anton Haffenecker. It was built in less than two years. A rich nobleman named Franz Anton von Nostitz-Rieneck paid for it.
Early Theaters in Prague
Before the Estates Theatre, Prague had other public theaters. The Sporck Theatre was open from 1724 to 1735. Another theater, the "Kotzentheater," was open off and on from 1739 to 1783.
The Estates Theatre opened in 1783. Its first show was a serious play called Emilia Galotti. This play was by a German writer named Gotthold Ephraim Lessing.
Design and Motto
The building itself was made in a Neoclassical style. This style uses ideas from ancient Greek and Roman buildings. It is one of the few theaters in Europe that still looks almost exactly as it did when it was first built.
Above the main entrance, you can see its motto: Patriae et Musis. This means "To the Native Land and the Muses." The Muses were goddesses in Greek myths who inspired arts and sciences. This motto shows what the builder wanted the theater to be about.
Changes Over Time
The Estates Theatre has changed its name several times.
- In 1798, it was bought by the Bohemian Estates and became the Royal Theatre of the Estates.
- In 1862, a new theater opened, and the Czech acting group left. The Estates Theatre then became a German-only theater. It was called Deutsches Landestheater (Provincial German Theatre).
- In 1920, the German group left. The theater was again called the Theatre of the Estates. It became part of the National Theatre.
- In 1948, it was renamed the Tyl Theatre. This was in honor of the writer J.K. Tyl.
- In 1990, after a big eight-year repair project, it went back to being called the Estates Theatre.
Famous Shows and Artists
Czech Performances and Music
Even though the theater was built for German plays and Italian operas, other languages were used too. Czech plays started in 1785 to reach more Czech people. By 1812, Czech shows were a regular part of Sunday and holiday performances.
Many important Czech writers worked at the Estates Theatre. These included the Thám brothers (Karel and Václav) and J.K. Tyl.
The first modern Czech opera, The Tinker by František Škroup, was performed here in 1826. In 1834, a famous song called “Where is my Home?” (Kde domov můj) was first sung here. This song later became the Czech national anthem.
International Artists
Many famous artists from other countries also performed at the Estates Theatre.
- Conductors like Carl Maria von Weber, Anton Rubinstein, and Gustav Mahler led orchestras here.
- Famous actors such as A.W. Iffland and J.N. Nestroy performed on its stage.
- The amazing opera singer Angelica Catalani and the violin master Niccolò Paganini also visited.
Mozart's Special Connection
The Estates Theatre has a very special link to the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
- In October 1787, Mozart himself conducted the very first performance of his opera Don Giovanni here.
- In 1791, Mozart's opera La Clemenza di Tito was first shown to the public here. This was to celebrate the crowning of Emperor Leopold II.
- The Estates Theatre is the only theater still standing today where Mozart actually performed.
The Estates Theatre Today
Today, the Estates Theatre continues to put on dramas, ballets, and operas. The opera company especially focuses on the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The theater has also been featured in movies.
- Most of the opera scenes in Miloš Forman's film Amadeus were filmed at the Estates Theatre.
- The theater also appeared in the Beethoven movie, Immortal Beloved, starring Gary Oldman.
In 2000, a statue called Il Commendatore was placed in front of the theater. This statue was made by Anna Chromy. It was inspired by a character from Mozart's opera Don Giovanni.
See also
In Spanish: Teatro Estatal (Praga) para niños
