State Theatre
Oper des Staatstheaters (Nuremberg Opera)
On 1st September 1905, the newly-built Nuremberg Opera House opened its doors to the public with Richard Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg”. The theatre quickly became a focal point of Nuremberg’s social and cultural scene. The impressive building, designed by the famous Berlin architect Heinrich Seeling, is situated close to the medieval city walls, which encircle Nuremberg’s old city. Internationally renowned singers, such as Enrico Caruso, Benjamino Gigli, Birgit Nilsson, José Carreras and Gwyneth Jones have all performed at the theatre over the years. Leading conductors, including Christian Thielemann and Phillippe Auguin have also been involved with the theatre as general music directors.
Opera "Carmen"
The theatre withstood the economic problems of the 1920s, but was damaged during the Second World War. In 1951, the theatre reopened with the approval and support of the Allies. Under Karl Pschigode, who held the post of general manager for nigh-on twenty years, the theatre quickly returned to its former glory, with the first German performance of Bernstein’s musical “West Side Story” being just one of the highlights of the post-war period.
In the 70s, the theatre pursued more innovative repertoire, with very well-attended performances of operas by Hans Werner Henze, Isang Yun, Luigi Nono and Bernd Alois Zimmermann. The then music director Hans Gierster, who remained at the house until 1988, promoted modern works, and with new and daring direction, audiences were pushed to consider new ideas and views. Since 2008 the artist director Peter Theiler is head of the Nuremberg Opera House.
The Branches of the Local Theatre
Schauspiel des Staatstheaters (Nuremberg Playhouse)
Nuremberg’s theatre tradition, which reached its first peak with Hans Sachs in the 16th Century, goes back to the time of the Middle Ages. In 1833, a theatre in the Lorenzer Platz opened, seating 1000.
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"A stage for everyone"
With more than 650 opera, ballet, theater and concert programs as well as around 300,000 visitors per season, the Nuremberg State Theater is one of the largest stages in Germany offering all three disciplines of the performing arts -...[more]
Ballet of the Staatstheater
At the beginning of the 2008/2009 season, Spanish dancer and choreographer Goyo Montero, who had been the first senior solo dancer at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, arrived as the new ballet director at the Staatstheater Nürnberg. With him a...[more]
Staatsphilharmonie Nürnberg (Nuremberg Philharmonic State Orchestra)
The main residence of Nuremberg’s Philharmonic State Orchestra, which is not to be confused with Nuremberg’s Symphony orchestra, is the State Opera House in Nuremberg. The 86 musicians who make up the orchestra perform in the orchestra...[more]