Theater in der Josefstadt

The Theater in der Josefstadt is a theater in Vienna in the eighth district of Josefstadt. It was founded in 1788 and is the oldest still performing theater in Vienna. It is often referred to colloquially as simply Die Josefstadt.

Following remodeling and rebuilding in 1822 — celebrated by the performance of the overture Die Weihe des Hauses ('Consecration of the House') by Beethoven — opera was staged there including Meyerbeer and Wagner. From 1858 onwards the theatre gave up opera and instead concentrated on straight theatre and comedy.

Major figures in musical and theatrical history connected with the house

• Ludwig van Beethoven and Richard Wagner conducted there.
• Johann Nestroy and Ferdinand Raimund were connected to the theater as actors and poets.
• Johann Strauss I performed in the Sträußelsälen.
• In 1814, Ferdinand Raimund had his Vienna debut as Franz Moor in Die Räuber by Friedrich Schiller.
• In 1822, Die Weihe des Hauses composed and directed by Ludwig van Beethoven.
• In 1829 Johann Nestroy debuted as an actor with the ''Die Verbannung aus dem Zauberreich oder Dreißig Jahre aus dem Leben eines Lumpen.
• From 1833 to 1840 Conradin Kreutzer was the theater conductor and on 13 January 1834, his romantic opera Das Nachtlager in Granada was first performed in the theater.
• On 20 February 1834, Ferdinand Raimund's Der Verschwender was first performed with the poet in the roll of Valentin (with stage music by Kreutzer).
• Between around 1840 and 1860, famous dancers Fanny Elssler and the Spanish Pepita de Oliva performed in the theater.
• The first German-language performance of Ferenc Molnár's Liliom with Josef Jarno in the title role on 28 February 1913 played a key role in the piece's long-lasting appeal.

Directors (with their years of service)

Famous ensemble members

External links

• Theater in der Josefstadt - Official website