Gotha: Ekhof-Theater

Country: Germany (Deutschland)
State: Thüringen
District: Landkreis Gotha
City: Gotha
Location: Schloss Friedenstein (south-western tower)

Built 1681-1683 as "Comödien- und Ballhaus" for Herzog Georg Friedrich I. von Sachsen-Gotha-Altenburg. Probably opened Apr 1681 with a pastoral dama, "Kurtzes Schäfer-Spiel". First opera: "Die geraubete Prosperina", 1682/1683. 1774 foundation of the first resident ducal German drama company, under the direction of Conrad Ekhof who formed a company heavily influential on the development of German drama. 1774-1775 auditorium extension by a second balcony, auditorium redecoration. Re-opened 2 Oct 1775 with Reichards's "Das Fest der Thalia" and Voltaire's "Zaire". Closed in 1778. 1826-1827 auditorium redecoration in neoclassical style by Italian artists. Subsequently again used as drama theatre. 1963-1968 technical renovation to the original plans, auditorium renovation to the 1775 design. Re-opened 5 Oct 1968 as "Ekhof-Theater", named in honour of the actor, theatre director and theatre scholar, Conrad Ekhof (1720-1778). Subsequently mainly used as a museum and for public lectures. 250 seats, only 176 of which can be used due to the closure of the second balcony for structural reasons. Since the 1990s, restoration of the original 1683 stage machinery (with alterations from 1774) that is still in use. Home to the "Ekhof-Festival", an annual summer festival of 18th century opera and music. Open to the public also as part of the Schloss Friedenstein museum.

Links: www.ekhof-festival.de, www.stiftungfriedenstein.de, Wikipedia

Gotha: Ekhof-Theater Picture: south-western tower of Schloss Friedenstein
Front Text: "Gotha, Schloß Friedenstein, westlicher Flügel"
Type: Divided Back
Size: Classic
Sent: from Gotha to Ohrdruf, 1915

Gotha: Ekhof-Theater Reverse Text: "Ekhoftheater im Schloß Friedenstein Gotha"
Type: no postcard form on back, but printed on postcard material
Size: Classic
Not sent.

Gotha: Ekhof-Theater Reverse Text: "Gotha, Ekhoftheater, Bühne"
Publisher: VEB-Foto-Verlag, Erlbach i. V.; III/23/27; III/18/197 K 1/73; Nr. 07 09 03 295
Type: Real Photo
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Gotha: Ekhof-Theater Reverse Text: "Gotha - Ekhoftheater - älteste vollständig erhaltene Barockbühne Deutschlands (1683)"
Publisher: Spezial-Kunstverlag Horn, Gotha; III-9-150 / A 253-58 / 4
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Gotha: Ekhof-Theater Reverse Text: "Gotha - Ekhoftheater - älteste vollständig erhaltene Barockbühne Deutschlands (1683)"
Publisher: Spezial-Kunstverlag Horn, Gotha; III-9-150 / A 253-58 / 4
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Gotha: Ekhof-Theater Folded Greeting Card
Reverse Text: "Ekhoftheater (1681-1687), Schloss Friedenstein, Gotha [...]"
Publisher: Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz, Bonn; KT 096 A
Size: 16.5 x 11 cm

Gotha: Ekhof-Theater Front Text: "Ekhof-Theater, Schloß Friedenstein", "Conrad Ekhof 1720-1778", "Gotha Residenzstadt"
Reverse Text: "Ekhof-Theater, Schloß Friedenstein Gotha. Gegründet 1683 unter Friedrich I. (1646/1675-1691). Wirkungsstätte des 'Vaters der deutschen Schauspielkunst' Conrad Ekhof (1774-1778)"
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Gotha: Ekhof-Theater Front Text: "Schloss Friedenstein - Ekhof-Theater"
Reverse Text: "Ekhof-Theater, ältestes Barocktheater der Welt mit original erhaltener Bühnentechnik. Herzlich willkommen zum Ekhof-Festival im Juli und August!"
Publisher: Gotha-Information, Gotha; City-Cards
Size: Modern
Sent: to München, 2004

Gotha: Ekhof-Theater Front Text: "Schloss Friedenstein Gotha - Ekhof Theater"
Reverse Text: "Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein Gotha, Blick auf den Westturm mit dem Ekhof-Theater, Die Bühnenmaschine aus dem 17. Jh., Conrad Ekhof, Szenenbild aus 'Der Garten der Lüste' 2007"
Publisher: Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein, Gotha; Got 078
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Gotha: Ekhof-Theater Reverse Text: "Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein Gotha, Aufführung 'Der Garten der Lüste' im Rahmen des Ekhof-Festivals 2007"
Publisher: Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein, Gotha; Got 077
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Gotha: Ekhof-Theater Reverse Text: "Schloss Friedenstein, Ekhof-Theater"
Publisher: Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein, Gotha
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Gotha: Ekhof-Theater Picture: model of the baroque 1681 stage machinery, made in 1996 by Jürgen Weis and Gerd Schaubitzer
Reverse Text: "Jürgen Weis und Gerd Schaubitzer, Modell der Bühnenmaschinerie des Ekhof-Theater von 1681, Rekonstruktion von 1996"
Publisher: Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein, Gotha
Size: Modern
Not sent.

Permanent link: https://www.andreas-praefcke.de/carthalia/id/1860

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