How does the stage technology work? Which complicated wooden construction is hidden behind the baroque splendor? Who actually made music and sang here in the 18th century? All of these questions are answered by a new museum that has opened in Bayreuth right next to the Margravial Opera House. The opera house has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012 – as a unique testament to baroque celebrations and music culture.
For 16 million euros, a museum and an information center have been created in the former Redoutenhaus right next to the baroque opera house, which provides insights into the architecture of the house, illustrates courtly life and provides information about theater and performance traditions. The museum with numerous interactive elements serves as a supplement and explanation of the baroque world heritage site.
“We have invested a lot in this world heritage site,” said Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) on Friday at the opening. The opera house itself had been extensively renovated by 2018 for around 30 million. There was a great desire for this museum, said Bavarian Finance Minister Albert Füracker (CSU). “It will certainly attract many visitors.”
The opera house was built by Wilhelmine von Bayreuth (1709-1758), the sister of Frederick the Great. The building was built from 1744 in four years of construction. It is one of the few theater buildings from the 18th century that has survived in Europe and fascinates visitors with its richly decorated interior and historical stage technology.
Unlike many historic performance venues, the house was not destroyed by fire or war, and it was not significantly redesigned. The Margravial Opera House once inspired Richard Wagner (1813-1883) to come to Bayreuth. For his festival idea, however, the composer then had the festival hall built elsewhere in the city. Bayreuth, with its almost 75,000 inhabitants, has two world-famous opera houses.