Estates Theatre, Prague: A Historic Stage for Opera and Drama

The Estates Theatre was constructed in the late 18th century, designed by Anton Haffenecker for aristocrat Franz Anton von Nostitz-Rieneck. It was built in under two years.

The theatre opened in 1783 with a performance of "Emilia Galotti" by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing. It was Prague's first standing public theatre after the closure of the "Kotzentheater."

The Estates Theatre was constructed in the Neoclassical architectural style and remains one of the few European theatres preserved in its nearly original state, reflecting its creator's motto: "To the Native Land and the Muses."

In 1798, the theatre was purchased by the Bohemian Estates, acquiring the name Royal Theatre of the Estates. This marked a change in its ownership and governance.

Following the opening of the Provisional Theatre in 1862, the Czech ensemble departed. The Theatre of the Estates was then dedicated solely to a German ensemble and renamed the Deutsches Landestheater.

The theatre was taken from the German ensemble in 1920. Between 1920 and 1948, it regained the name Theatre of the Estates and became affiliated with the National Theatre.

In 1948, the theatre was renamed the Tyl Theatre, in honor of the dramatist J.K. Tyl. It retained this name until the completion of its reconstruction in 1990.

The theatre underwent an eight-year reconstruction project that concluded in 1990. Following this renovation, it resumed its name as the Estates Theatre.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart conducted the world premiere of his opera "Don Giovanni" at the Estates Theatre in October 1787, a significant event in musical history.

The Estates Theatre is the only theatre still standing where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart performed. He conducted the premiere of "Don Giovanni" in 1787 and "La Clemenza di Tito" in 1791.

In 1834, the premiere of the song "Kde domov můj" (Where is my Home?) was performed at the Estates Theatre by Karel Strakatý. This song later became the Czech national anthem.

Most of the opera scenes for Miloš Forman's acclaimed film "Amadeus" were filmed on location at the Estates Theatre, highlighting its historical authenticity.

Anton Haffenecker was the architect responsible for designing the Estates Theatre, which was built in the late 18th century for Franz Anton von Nostitz-Rieneck.

The aristocrat Franz Anton von Nostitz-Rieneck commissioned the construction of the Estates Theatre, which was designed by Anton Haffenecker and built in less than two years.

The Estates Theatre is listed as a National cultural monument of the Czech Republic, signifying its important cultural and historical value.