Carthalia - Mainz: Staatstheater

Mainz: Staatstheater

Country: Germany (Deutschland)
State: Rheinland-Pfalz
City: Mainz
Location: Gutenbergplatz 7

The complex comprises two theatres, connected underground and by skywalks:

Großes Haus: Built 1829-1833 as "Stadttheater" by Georg Moller, on the site of a previous theatre ("Komödienhaus"). Opened 21 Sep 1833 with Weber's "Jubelouverture" and Mozart's "La clemenza di Tito". Ca. 1500 seats. 1863 installation of ducal proscenium boxes fby Josef Laske. 1876 auditorium rebuilding and foyer extension by Eduard Kreyßig. 1898-1899 technical alterations by Ferdinand Fellner & Hermann Helmer (extension of storage rooms, reconsruction of roof, installation of an iron curtain, renovation of heating system). Re-opened 18 Sep 1899 with Gounod's "Faust". 1910-1912 major rebuilding by Adolf Gelius (front extension by a foyer, extension by a new storey, rebuilding of stagehouse, alterations of auditorium). 1938-1939 auditorium and foyer rebuilding, destroying most of the 1912 decoration. Destroyed by a fire after bombings in 1942.

1950-1951 rebuilt by Richard Jörg to simplified plans. Re-opened 24 Nov 1951 with a ballet performance. 1977 auditorium alterations by Dieter Gesterlen (opera: 801 seats, drama: 887 seats), widely seen as unsatisfactory in every respect with bad acoustics, sightlines, and low comfort. 1989 renamed "Staatstheater".

1998-2001 major rebuilding (rebuilding of auditorium and foyers, installation of a roof restaurant, exterior renovations) by Shoyerer Möbius Architekten and Kauffmann Theilig & Partner. Re-opened 15 Sep 2001 with Handel's oratorio "Saul" in a staged version.
Kleines Haus: Built 1997 by Klaus Möbius. Opened 17 Nov 1997. 500 seats.

Notable world premieres:

Hans Pfitzner: Der arme Heinrich (2 Apr 1895)

Mainz: Staatstheater Picture: Inauguration of the Gutenberg monument in August 1837 in front of the Großes Haus
Front Text: "Enthüllung des Gutenberg-Denkmals im August 1837"
Publisher: Förderverein Erweiterung Gutenberg-Museum, Druckbetrieb Lindner, Mainz, Nr. 102
Type: Modern reproduction of an old chromo lithographic print
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Mainz: Staatstheater Picture: Großes Haus
Front Text: "Mainz - Schiller-Denkmal - Theater" [Schiller monument - Theatre]
Publisher: G. Schneider Verlagsanstalt, Berlin
Type: Undivided Back
Size: Classic
Not sent.

Mainz: Staatstheater Picture: carnival parade, right, background: Großes Haus
Front Text: "Gruss vom Mainzer Carneval. Prinz Carneval im Fastnacht Montags-Zug"
Publisher: Ludwig Feist, Mainz; Gesch. 1081
Type: Undivided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: from Mainz to Trieste (Austria-Hungary, now Italy), 1904

Mainz: Staatstheater Picture: Großes Haus
Front Text: "Mainz, Theater"
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: from Mainz to Freiburg im Breisgau, 1903

Mainz: Staatstheater Picture: Großes Haus, after the 1912 rebuilding
Front Text: "Mainz, Stadttheater"
Handwritten Reverse Text: dated 11 Aug 1919
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Not sent.

Mainz: Staatstheater Picture: Großes Haus foyer, after the 1912 rebuilding
Front Text: "Das neue Stadttheater zu Mainz, Foyer"
Publisher: R. Mannewitz, Frankfurt am Main; Serie 411 No. 2
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: from Mainz to Nieder-Olm, 1912

Mainz: Staatstheater Picture: Großes Haus, after the 1912 rebuilding
Front Text: "Mainz Stadttheater", glitter application: "Souvenir de Mayence"
Handwritten Reverse Text: dated 11 Aug 1919
Type: Glitter Card; Divided Back
Size: Classic
Not sent.

Mainz: Staatstheater Picture: Großes Haus, after the 1912 rebuilding
Front Text: "Mainz/Stadttheater, Mayence/le théâtre"
Handwritten Reverse Text: dated 1920
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: to Paris [without stamp or postmark]

Mainz: Staatstheater Picture: Großes Haus, shortly after World War II (?)
Reverse Text: "Mayence, Le théâtre"
Publisher: Edition Gerard, Mayence; 312
Type: Real Photo
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Mainz: Staatstheater Picture: Großes Haus, after the 1951 rebuilding
Reverse Text: "Mainz am Rhein, Städtisches Theater und Gutenberg-Denkmal"
Publisher: Hans Andres Verlag, Hamburg; M 15/5029
Type: Real Photo
Size: Classic
Not sent.

Mainz: Staatstheater Picture: Großes Haus
Reverse Text: "Mainz Stadttheater und Gutenberg-Denkmal"
Publisher: Krüger; 973/8
Size: Modern
Sent: from Mainz to Bad Wurzach, 1964

Mainz: Staatstheater Picture: Großes Haus
Reverse Text: "Mainz am Rhein, Städtisches Theater und Gutenberg-Denkmal"
Publisher: Johann Hinkel Verlag, Budenheim b. Mainz; 9650.197
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Mainz: Staatstheater Picture: Großes Haus
Front Text: "Mainz", sign: advertising the ballet "Cinderella"
Publisher: Michel + Co., Frankfurt am Main; 34
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Mainz: Staatstheater - Kleines Haus Picture: Kleines Haus
Reverse Text: "Kleines Haus des Staatstheaters Mainz, Eröffnung: 17. Oktober 1997"
Publisher: Staatstheater Mainz
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Mainz: Staatstheater Picture: Großes Haus, after the 1998-2001 rebuilding
Front Text: "Staatstheater Mainz"
Reverse Text: "Mainz am Rhein, Staatstheater und Gutenberg-Denkmal"
Publisher: Johann Hinkel Verlag, Budenheim bei Mainz; Nr. 9650.401
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Mainz: Staatstheater Picture: Großes Haus, after the 1998-2001 rebuilding
Front Text: "Mainz"
Reverse Text: "Mainz, Staatstheater am Gutenbergplatz"
Publisher: Verlag Johannes Oefner, Heidelberg; MZ 003
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Mainz: Staatstheater Picture: centre, above: Staatstheater
Front Text: "Mainz", "Staatstheater", [...]
Publisher: Mein Einkaufsbahnhof; Städte-Grußkarte mit Motiv von Jacques Tilly
Size: 20.3 x 10.5 cm
Not sent.

Mainz: Staatstheater Front Text: "Mainz Staatstheater"
Reverse Text: "Mainz, Staatstheater"
Publisher: Edition Tausendschön, Mils; PK 140
Type: Glitter Card
Size: Modern
Not sent.

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