The National Theater in Prague. On the day of its grand opening, the city center experienced a traffic collapse
The Czech national revival was reflected in all spheres of life, including the cultural one. Patriots’ meetings on Czech theater took place as early as 1844, at which the locals discussed the construction of a theater on the waterfront at Ellenberg River, on the site of the Slavia Café.
The proposal was approved by the assembly on April 9, 1845, with the proviso that only Czech must be performed in the theater. After the siege of 1848, the Corps was established on September 7 in the Prague moats, and its committee took over. The Czech Theater as a provincial institute could be established by an assembly or a provincial committee that had the finances.
In March 1851, KH Borovský turned to the nation to start choosing the future golden chapel. We must take into account that during Bach’s absolutism (1855-60) the activities of the Church weakened and financial donations did not accumulate much. Only after the fall of absolutism did the situation improve. Emperor and King Francis Joseph I also contributed 5,000 gold coins to the building in 1866. He gradually raised his financial donations over the next few years and donated 18,000 gold coins until the opening in 1881. Other patrons were found, the largest part of the contributions were small donations from socially weaker classes. At the end of 1869, the Corps had 62,000 gold coins and preparations for construction could begin.
Grand opening – random date
In the second half of the 19th century, the Czech nation restored its own history and culture, and in the last third several significant buildings were built, including the National Theater in Prague.
The choir commission for the establishment of the Czech National Theater requested a proposal by the architect Josef Zítka, approved by an expert opinion of the Viennese architects Eduard van der Nüll and August Sicard von Sicardsburg. In the autumn of 1866, Zítek’s plan was judged to be the best in Vienna and then approved by the General Assembly of the National Theater Choir. During the war, the activities of the Corps were interrupted and plans were approved in February 1867. In mid-1881, the construction was partially completed and the grand opening of the theater was scheduled for June 11.
What is related to this event?
From FA Schubert’s book we can read the whole socio-political connection to the building. Prague was preparing to visit Crown Prince Rudolf and his newlywed Stefanie, and all preparations, including the opening of the National Theater, were therefore subject to this event. Eventually, the newlyweds arrived incognito and the date of June 11 was chosen at random. Prague 1 experienced a traffic collapse that day and the streets were busy. The evening at the National Theater in Prague included a live image of Prince Rudolf’s celebrating marriage, followed by Libuše Bedřich Smetana.
An overview of performances that took place in June 1881
June 11, 1881 7:00 PM Bedrich Smetana: Libuse
June 12, 1881 7:00 PM Václav Vlček: Lipany (original Czech game written for ND)
June 13, 1881 7:00 PM Bedrich Smetana: Libuse
June 14, 1881 7:00 PM Vaclav Vlcek: Lipany
June 15, 1881 7:00 PM Bedrich Smetana: Libuse
June 17, 1881 7:00 PM Bedrich Smetana: Libuse
June 18, 1881 7:00 PM Vaclav Vlcek: Lipany
June 19, 1881 7:00 PM Giacomo Meyerbeer: Huguenots
June 20, 1881 7:00 PM Josef Jiří Kolár: Smiřičtí (original Czech game written for ND)
June 21, 1881 7:00 PM Giacomo Meyerbeer: Huguenots
June 22, 1881 19:00 Josef Jiří Kolár: Smiřičtí
June 23, 1881 7:00 PM Bedrich Smetana: Libuse
Fire – negligence or coincidence?
The ND fire in Prague has become part of various myths, assumptions and speculations, which are still different today. Topic for Martin Kavka – Chief Commissioner m, Prague, director of the National Technical Museum Karel Ksandra and head of the National Theater Archive in Prague Josefina Panenková.
Listen to more in the audio recording of the show.