Estates Theatre, Prague, Czech Republic

The Estates Theatre (Stavovské divadlo) is a historic theatre in Prague. It was built during the late 18th century in response to Enlightenment thought regarding general access to the theatre, and theatres themselves demonstrating the cultural standards of a nation. The Estates Theatre was designed by Anton Haffenecker and built in a little less than two years for the aristocrat František Antonín Count Nostitz Rieneck.

Prague's first standing public theatre, the Sporck Theatre, operated from 1724 to 1735. The owner of this theatre, Count Franz Anton von Sporck, permitted the free use of it to subsidize the commercial venture of the Venetian impresario Antonio Denzio. The next commercial theatre, the Kotzentheater, operated sporadically from 1739–1783 under a series of Italian impresarios. The final closure of the Kotzentheater coincided with the opening of Count Nostitz’s Nostitzsches Nationaltheater. The theatre opened in 1783. The building itself was constructed in a Neoclassical style and remains one of the few European theatres to be preserved in its almost original state to the present day.

The Estates Theatre has undergone several changes in its history. It first acquired the name Royal Theatre of the Estates in 1798 when it was purchased by the Czech Estates. With the opening of the Provisional Theatre in 1862, the Theatre of the Estates was dedicated to a German ensemble and renamed the Royal Provincial German Theatre. During the period between 1920 and 1948 the theatre regained the name Theatre of the Estates and became affiliated with the National Theatre. In 1948 the theatre was renamed the Tyl Theatre and would be known as such until 1990 when, at the end of an eight-year reconstruction project, it became known again as the Estates Theatre.

The Estates Theatre currently offers performances of dramas, ballets and operas with the focus of the opera company on the work of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. A more contemporary claim to fame originates from the Oscar-winning film Amadeus, directed by Czech director Miloš Forman. The scenes of Mozart in Prague were shot at the Estates Theatre for authenticity.

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User Reviews

Thair Peterson (3 months ago)
It would have been a nice theater to see a show even if Mozart hadn’t played there, and even if it hadn't been featured in "Amadeus." The box seats were quite affordable, the decor was lovely and the sight lines were FAR better than at the Vienna Opera House. The orchestra’s sound in the overture was a bit thin, and the playing also wasn’t as crisp as what we experienced in Vienna. However, once the singing started, it was top-notch, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Highly recommended.

J. J.R. (4 months ago)
Only reviewing for my first (for now) visit here—September 26 for Le nozzle di Figaro. The theatre is very beautiful but for certain seats, you can’t really view anything unless you lean forward—then you hurt your back after being in the same position for about 3 hours. It was also very hot, which was unusual for a rainy September day, and my god—there needs to be someone in every balcony or area, telling people to shut up during a show! The girls next to me were very loud and very disrespectful. With regards to the show, I am in awe at the voices and the music, but the modern twist was really tacky in my opinion. I wish we were informed about this, because it’s not quite ideal—dressing formally, only to see a modern and “weird” twist on a classic. The subtitles (Česky & English) didn’t match each other, nor the actual Italian things that the actors were saying.

Paul Schwartzmeyer (4 months ago)
Saw the Magic Flute here. It was very well done. The performances were excellent. What I loved was the movement of characters not attached directly to the story. It gave it a surreal feeling. The audience loved it, especially the people who played Pamina, Papageno, and the Queen of the night. What was most amazing was that it's 1/3rd the price of seeing it in Vienna.

Jie Yong Kuo (6 months ago)
Went to Don Giovanni which was premièred here a couple of hundred years ago. We were first time opera visitors, so the subtitles were very very helpful. The performance was good and funny, and way cheaper than tickets from where we were from.

Max Gedrovich (8 months ago)
Beautiful opera theatre, with a stunning interior, and good acoustics, they have subtitles for people without language knowledge. If you're booking the gallery, don't book it close to the scene, it's hard to sit there. The best booking would be in the corner, or near the corner.

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