Lehartheater

The Lehartheater, named after the famous composer Franz Lehár who lived and worked in Bad Ischl, was originally built as the Ischl Kurtheater in 1827 and hosted many notable performances and guests over the years.

The Origins of the Theater

The theater was founded by Franz Wirer, a local businessman who donated a piece of land for its construction. He was motivated by the need for a more suitable venue than the Kralltheater, a small performance chamber in the attic of the painter Lukas Krall, which had been used since around 1793.

The architect Franz Ferdinand Edangler, who worked for the saltworks in Bad Ischl, designed the theater in a classical style. It was completed in 1827 and opened with a performance of Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute.

The Expansion and Modernization of the Theater

The theater soon became a popular attraction for the visitors and residents of Bad Ischl, especially during the summer season. It was expanded in 1865 to accommodate more spectators and performers. In 1882, a separate stairway to the court box was added, which was reserved for the imperial family and other distinguished guests. In 1904, electric lighting was installed, replacing the gas lamps that had been used before.

The theater had a small stage and an audience space that consisted of the main floor, a gallery with boxes, and two further galleries with seating and standing room. The theater could seat up to 400 people and offered a variety of entertainment, such as operas, operettas, comedies, dramas, and concerts.

The Famous Guests and Performers of the Theater

The theater attracted many famous and influential people over the years, especially during the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph I, who spent his summers in Bad Ischl. Among the guests who visited the theater were his wife Empress Elisabeth, his son Crown Prince Rudolf, his nephew Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and his grandson Emperor Charles I.

The theater also hosted many renowned performers and composers, such as Johann Strauss II, Johannes Brahms, Anton Bruckner, Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss, and Franz Lehár. Lehár, who is best known for his operetta The Merry Widow, lived in Bad Ischl from 1912 until his death in 1948. He composed many of his works in his villa near the theater and often premiered them there. He also conducted the theater orchestra and directed some of the productions. In 1940, the theater was renamed after him in his honor.

The Current Use and Appearance of the Theater

The theater continued to operate until the end of World War II, when it was damaged by a bomb. It was restored and reopened in 1950, but it gradually lost its popularity and relevance as a summer theater. It was closed in 1974 and converted into a cinema, which still operates today.

The theater also hosts occasional events, such as readings, singing recitals, concerts, theater, cabaret, and other performances. The auditorium, which has two (originally three) levels, has preserved most of its original appearance and charm. However, the exterior of the theater has been altered by the removal of the entrance to the court box in the Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Straße next to the Hotel Post and the construction of a sports shop.

On the occasion of Helmut Berger’s 75th birthday in May 2019, a bust of him created by Alexander Hanel was erected at the theater’s entrance. Berger, a famous actor who starred in films such as The Damned and Ludwig, was born in Bad Ischl and has a close connection to the theater. He attended many performances there as a child and later supported its preservation and restoration.

The Lehartheater is a valuable cultural and historical asset of Bad Ischl and a witness to its rich and diverse artistic heritage.

Bad Ischl, Austria