The Germans to each other. The Prague State Opera was established 130 years ago for the needs and collections of the Prague Germans
The neo-renaissance building of the Prague State Opera was built 130 years ago. She was born as the New German Theater for the needs of the Prague Germans. “The Czechs built the National Theater The Germans wanted it too,” explains music publicist Jitka Slavíková.
At that time, the Germans, like the Czechs, organized collections, and as soon as they had land, construction began. “It was entrusted to the Viennese company Fellner und Helmer, which had about 50 theater buildings throughout Europe on its account,” describes Slavíková.
It was saved in the background
“For example, she built the FX Šalda Theater in Liberec or the Municipal Theater in Karlovy Vary, where she also built the Grandhotel Pupp.” The new theater was built in a record time of less than 20 months and opened on January 5, 1888. locker rooms or rehearsal halls.
“The directors even had their offices at the Estates Theater.” It began with Wagner’s opera The Master Singers of Nuremberg. “Representatives of German and Czech political and social life are taking part in the premiere. The audience was said to have watched celebrities at the time and was not focused on opera. “
I would like the Prague State Opera building not to be an island between two terrible highways.
Very friendly atmosphere
According to music journalist Jitka Slavíková, the directors of the National Theater and the State Opera, František Adolf Šubert and Angelo Neumann, did not compete. “The atmosphere was friendly and inspiring. They even borrowed instruments and instrumentalists. ”And before the social events, they informed each other what they would be wearing.
Smell of talent
Angelo Neumann set the artistic bar very high. “Not only did he have a great orchestra, but he also invited great personalities. He traveled a lot to look for new titles and got to know the stars in person, which he then brought to Prague. “
The first was the novice Gustav Mahler and the other Enrico Caruso. “He performed in Prague 4 times and his fee was then 150 marks.” When Angelo Neumann wanted to invite him again after a while, the singer asked for a fee of 10,000 marks. “So Angelo Neumann said, ‘Thank you.’