Bayreuth is known for its opera houses, among other things (see our blog from 2016). Of course, there is the Festspielhaus that Richard Wagner had built on the hill overlooking Bayreuth. But then there is the other one, the one in the middle of town.
It is called the Margravial Opera House, and it is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The advantage of World Heritage Sites is that there is a lot of information on the historical significance of the site. In this case, the UNESCO committee stated that "Today it survives as the only entirely preserved example of court opera house architecture where Baroque court opera culture and acoustics can be authentically experienced. The attributes carrying Outstanding Universal Value are its location in the original 18th century public urban space; the 18th century Baroque façade; the original 18th century roof structure spanning 25 meters; the internal layout and design of the ceremonial foyer, tiered loge theatre and stage area including all existing original materials and decoration."
Like a lot of the impressive things in Bayreuth, it is the result of the marriage between the Margrave Friedrich von Brandenburg-Kulmbach and Wilhelmine of Prussia. Wilhelmine was the favorite sister of Frederich the Great, and Wilhelmine and Frederick did much to transform Bayreuth into a royal residence. Friedrich Alexander can be seen in many statues around Erlangen, because he established the Regional University in Bayreuth in 1742, which was moved one year later, in 1743, to Erlangen, where it continues to this day.
The couple had one child, Elisabeth Friederike Sophie, who was married on September 26, 1748 to Karl Eugen, Duke of Württemberg. Such an important marriage must be celebrated over several weeks an in settings appropriate to the occasion. So the mother of the bride started to build an opera house two years before the wedding.
Two years is a very short time to build an opera house of any kind. It helped that the inside of the Margravial Opera House is made of wood. Everything you see is painted wood. Beautifully painted wood. Painted by
It is called the Margravial Opera House, and it is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. The advantage of World Heritage Sites is that there is a lot of information on the historical significance of the site. In this case, the UNESCO committee stated that "Today it survives as the only entirely preserved example of court opera house architecture where Baroque court opera culture and acoustics can be authentically experienced. The attributes carrying Outstanding Universal Value are its location in the original 18th century public urban space; the 18th century Baroque façade; the original 18th century roof structure spanning 25 meters; the internal layout and design of the ceremonial foyer, tiered loge theatre and stage area including all existing original materials and decoration."Like a lot of the impressive things in Bayreuth, it is the result of the marriage between the Margrave Friedrich von Brandenburg-Kulmbach and Wilhelmine of Prussia. Wilhelmine was the favorite sister of Frederich the Great, and Wilhelmine and Frederick did much to transform Bayreuth into a royal residence. Friedrich Alexander can be seen in many statues around Erlangen, because he established the Regional University in Bayreuth in 1742, which was moved one year later, in 1743, to Erlangen, where it continues to this day.
The couple had one child, Elisabeth Friederike Sophie, who was married on September 26, 1748 to Karl Eugen, Duke of Württemberg. Such an important marriage must be celebrated over several weeks an in settings appropriate to the occasion. So the mother of the bride started to build an opera house two years before the wedding.
Two years is a very short time to build an opera house of any kind. It helped that the inside of the Margravial Opera House is made of wood. Everything you see is painted wood. Beautifully painted wood. Painted by
