Stadttheater Baden

Stadttheater Baden, or the City Theater of Baden, is one of the oldest and most prestigious theaters in Austria. Located in the spa town of Baden near Vienna, the theater has a rich and varied history that spans over two centuries and three different buildings.

The First City Theater (1775-1812)

The first city theater of Baden was built in 1775 by the order of Emperor Joseph II, who wanted to provide entertainment for the aristocratic guests who visited the thermal springs of Baden. The theater was a simple wooden structure with a capacity of about 400 seats, located near the Frauenbad, or the Women’s Bath. The theater hosted mainly comedies and musicals, as well as occasional opera performances by traveling companies.

The first city theater was also the scene of some historical events, such as the premiere of Mozart’s opera La clemenza di Tito in 1791, which was commissioned for the coronation of Emperor Leopold II in Prague. Mozart himself conducted the orchestra, while his sister-in-law Josepha Hofer sang the role of Vitellia. Another notable event was the visit of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1809, who attended a performance of the opera Zaira by Peter von Winter.

However, the first city theater was not built to last, and soon suffered from deterioration and damage. In 1811, a fire broke out in the theater, destroying most of the interior and the stage machinery. The theater was closed and demolished the following year, making way for a new and improved building.

The Court Theater a der Schwechat (1812-1909)

In 1812, a second theater was constructed in Baden, based on the designs of the renowned architect Josef Kornhäusel. This theater, known as “The Court Theater a der Schwechat,” holds a significant place in theater history, as it was the first theater in Europe to be built entirely of stone and iron, making it fireproof and durable. The theater had a neoclassical facade and a spacious auditorium with a capacity of about 800 seats. The theater also featured a modern stage with advanced lighting and scenery systems, as well as a large orchestra pit.

The Court Theater a der Schwechat was inaugurated on August 15, 1812, with a performance of the opera Die Zauberflöte by Mozart. The theater soon became a popular destination for both local and foreign audiences, who enjoyed a diverse repertoire of opera, drama, ballet, and concert. The theater also attracted some of the most famous composers and performers of the 19th century, such as Beethoven, Schubert, Liszt, Wagner, Brahms, Strauss, and Puccini.

The Court Theater a der Schwechat was especially renowned for its operetta productions, which flourished in the second half of the 19th century. The theater was the home of the so-called “Baden School” of operetta, which included composers such as Franz von Suppé, Carl Millöcker, Karl Komzák, and Richard Heuberger. The theater also premiered some of the most successful operettas of the era, such as Boccaccio by Suppé, Der Bettelstudent by Millöcker, and Der Opernball by Heuberger.

The Court Theater a der Schwechat was also the venue of some historical and political events, such as the Congress of Baden in 1814, which was attended by the representatives of the European powers after the defeat of Napoleon. The theater also witnessed the assassination attempt on Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1853, when a Hungarian nationalist stabbed him in the neck during a performance of the opera Ernani by Verdi. The emperor survived the attack, thanks to the intervention of his wife, Empress Elisabeth, who was also present in the theater.

The Court Theater a der Schwechat served the city of Baden for almost a hundred years, until it was replaced by a new and larger building at the beginning of the 20th century.

The Kaiser Jubilee City Theater (1909-present)

The “Kaiser Jubilee City Theater” was built by renowned theater architects Fellner and Hellmer and opened on October 2nd, 1909, replacing the previous structure. The theater was named in honor of the 60th anniversary of the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph I, who also attended the opening ceremony. The theater was a magnificent edifice, with a neo-baroque facade and a lavish interior. The theater had a capacity of about 1,000 seats, and a state-of-the-art stage with electric lighting and hydraulic machinery.

The Kaiser Jubilee City Theater continued the tradition of the Court Theater a der Schwechat, offering a varied and high-quality program of opera, operetta, drama, and musical. The theater also hosted some of the most prominent artists of the 20th century, such as Richard Tauber, Maria Jeritza, Lotte Lehmann, Leo Slezak, and Rudolf Schock. The theater also premiered some of the most popular operettas of the time, such as Die lustige Witwe by Franz Lehár, Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II, and Im weißen Rössl by Ralph Benatzky.

The Kaiser Jubilee City Theater also survived some of the most turbulent periods of history, such as the two world wars, the Nazi occupation, and the Soviet liberation. The theater was damaged by bombs and fire several times, but was always restored and reopened. The theater also witnessed some of the most dramatic and emotional moments of the Austrian history, such as the farewell speech of Emperor Karl I in 1918, the assassination of Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuß in 1934, and the return of the State Treaty in 1955.

Baden bei Wien, Austria