| |
Theatre In Vienna
By Anil Gupta
The Burgtheater or Castle Theatre or Imperial Court Theatre, initially known as K.K. Theater an der Burg, then until 1920 as the K.K. Hofburgtheater, is the Austria's federal theatre in Vienna and one of the most important German language theatres in the world.
It was fashioned on 14 March 1741 by Habsburg Empress Maria Theresa of Austria to be a theatre next to her palace, and her son, Emperor Joseph II called the "German National Theatre" in 1776. Beginning in 1794, the theatre was called the "K.K. Hoftheater nächst der Burg". The theatre was moved to a new building at the Ringstraße on 14 October 1888 designed by Gottfried Semper and Karl Freiherr von Hasenauer. After it was burned out in 1944, the castle theatre was restored in 1955. The classic Burgtheater style and the Burgtheater German language were trend-setting for German language theaters.
The Burgtheater also known as 'Burg' or 'Haus am Ring' is situated in Vienna's first district. The Burgtheater has obtained a world-wide reputation for brilliant dramatic art and is one of the first theaters of German-speaking Europe. Over the years, its theatrical company of more or less regular members has worked out a traditional style and speech characteristic of Burgtheater performances.
While its collection features many international highlights as well, the Burgtheater is proud of its emphasis on Austrian playwrights. Viennese heavyweights Arthur Schnitzler, Ferdinand Raimund or Johann Nestroy are still favorites, Thomas Bernhard used the stage for his notorious scandals and renowned contemporary writers like Elkridge Jelinek and Peter Handke often stage their premiers in Vienna's Burgtheater.
The company and the audience are always happy to celebrate their stars - actors as well as directors. Claus Peymann, who scandalized Vienna by reformatting the 'Burg' and inviting a younger audience by adapting the style and adding contemporary plays to the repertoire, was as much hated as loved by media and audience alike.
Vienna's Burgtheater was built in the Baroque style, commutating the time when the church, the aristocracy, and the common man were joined together by the theatre. As an institution, the Burg transcends its role as a mere stage. It's part of the Viennese consciousness; a place to be seen and to see, a one-time plaything of political intrigue and a symbol of Vienna's rise, fall and rise again from the ashes of war.
As many others buildings in central Vienna it was largely destroyed during the Second World War firstly by bombing, then by fire of unknown origin and reconstruction was needed. It was done between the years 1953 and 1955 and the new Burgtheater building was finally inaugurated on October 15, 1955.
The ceiling of the building is lined with frescoes, and a statue of Apollo stands guard over the main entrance on the Ringstrasse. The interior is the height of opulence, decorated in rich red, cream, and gold with marble floors and paintings of great actors on the walls called Burgtheater Gallery which has the collection of portraits of members of the Burgtheater in the course of its 200-year history.
It now remains one of the world's most important theaters, a cultural bastion in a city replete with historical significance. The Emperors and dictators are long departed, but the show goes on.
About the Author
Anil Gupta recommends that you visit http://www.bookings.be/city/at/vienna.html?aid=305255 for more information on Vienna hotels.
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/34255.html
| If you wish to add the above article to your website or newsletters then please include the "Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/34255.html" as shown above and make it hyperlinked. |
| Some other articles by Anil Gupta | Clocking The Time
The Clock Museum of Vienna was opened in 1921 in one of Vienna's oldest houses and can boast an interesting collection including early chronometers, sundials and the ...
Kidding With Kids
A kid will love to hunt elephants in an asphalt jungle or even to fly the sky in the Jumping Castle, or splash into sparkling waters from the Dragon Slide. Let the wind carry one's hair ...
Bond With Music
Vienna is the music capital of the world. No other city evokes such immediate associations with the great classical composers and the king of waltz. The House of Music was opened in the First District, in ...
Indescribable Stadium - Barcelona
The Barcelona football stadium is the 3rd largest football stadium in the World after the stadiums in Sao Paulo, Brazil and Mexico City. Barcelona camp nou has a ...
Dream Wedding In Vienna
Every girl dreams of a fairytale wedding, of being a princess for a day? Can one imagine being carried off in a horse drawn carriage to marry the Prince in a breathtaking Baroque palace? Celebrate one's ...
Barca - Football Fanatic
In the late 1800's Hans Gamper and ten other enthusiasts were playing an unidentified game called 'foot-ball'. When Gamper went on to found Barcelona Football Club on 29 November 1899, he could hardly have ...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
