VI
EN
The Margravial Opera House was inaugurated in September 1748 in Bayreuth, to serve the lavish wedding of Elisabeth Friederike Sophie, the only daughter of Count Margrave Friedrich of the Hohenzollern family, and Duke Charles Eugene of Württemberg.
The opera house is an independent royal architectural work, designed by Joseph Saint-Pierre, the leading Baroque architect of the time, and his son, Carlo Galli Bibiena. And naturally, under the masterful hand of Joseph Saint-Pierre, the Margravial Opera House became a masterpiece of Baroque architecture in the 18th century, with its magnificent beauty combining design, sculpture, and painting, emphasizing intense emotions, celebrating the harmonious blend of reality and fantasy, and the contrast of light and shadow.
The theater has a distinctive Baroque architectural style.
The theater's facade, constructed of sandstone with a balcony supported by columns, becomes a focal point in the city's urban public space.
The interior of the building includes a lobby, staircases, corridors, exhibition rooms, and an auditorium. The auditorium and stage are arranged as a unified whole. Lighting systems are positioned along the walls, creating streams of light that are both romantic and mysterious.
The lighting system on both sides of the walls creates a feeling that is both cozy and mysterious.
The auditorium has a capacity of 500 people.
The sculptures decorating the wooden house and stage all pay homage to the Hohenzollern dynasty and Countess Margrave Friedrich and his wife, the founders of the theater. The walls and ceilings feature paintings using optical illusion effects, also known as "quadratura," to enhance the dramatic and theatrical effect. To this day, this painting technique remains one of the most intriguing and captivating attractions, drawing thousands of tourists each year.
The theater features meticulously crafted sculptures.
The theater ceiling was elaborately decorated with optical illusion effects.
The theater's interior was primarily made of wood, as at the time the count intended to build Opera Margravial as a wedding venue for his daughter rather than for long-term use. Fortunately, it was not destroyed by fire like many other buildings of the era, and remains the only surviving masterpiece by two of the most renowned theater architects of the time. However, like many other theaters, Opera Margravial suffered damage after years of war. Its restoration was extremely costly and difficult, costing approximately 22 million euros and 93,000 hours of work.
The theater is currently undergoing restoration.
In 2018, the dazzling lights of the Margravial Opera House once again shone brightly over the Bayreuth skyline. Had it not been for the pandemic, many concerts would have taken place there in 2020.
The theater was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012, not only for its cultural and architectural value, but also because it marked a significant turning point for the emergence of large public theaters in the 19th century.
