In the mid-18th century, the architect François  Cuvilliés was commissioned  by Elector Maximilian Joseph III to design an opera house  to be used exclusively for the members of the court.  The new theater, in close proximity, but outside the Residenz, replaced St. George’s Hall, located inside the Residenz, after a fire had damaged the former auditorium.  This lavish Rococo theater, now called the Cuvilliés Theater after the architect, was built between 1751-53. Many lavish productions were mounted on its stage by the Bavarian State Opera,  including Mozart’s Idomeneo in 1781, and Carl Maria von Weber’s Abu Hassan in 1811, two of nine opera world premiers launched here between 1753 and 1903, while the Residenz was still the home of German royalty. Under Charles Theodore, Elector of Bavaria, the theater was opened for public use as of 1795, and continues to be used to stage operas and plays. On March 18, 1944 during World War II, the building housing the theater was destroyed, although the finely painted wood carvings, figures, floral ornaments and the tier fittings, created under the supervision of Johann Baptist Straub between 1751-53 remain. In 1943 these architectural details had already been dismantled and stored for security. The original ceiling painting by Johann Baptist Zimmerman, however, was also totally destroyed in WW II. Between 1945-51, a  temporary place on MaxJoseph Platz was taken by the Neues Residenz-Theater. Now, the Cuvilliés Theater, also known as the Altes Residenz-Theater is now reached from the Brunnenhof or Fountain Court near the Apothekenhof or Apothecary Court in the Residenz.  The theater was renovated and technically modernized between 2004-2008. Today, the Cuvielliés Theater is considered to be a major work of Bavarian Rococo and a Gesamkunstwerk, or “total work of art“ with few equals in Europe.

PHOTOS: Left Column: 1. Wood carving around the Royal Box in the Cuvilliés Theater. 2. A wood carved lion skin, a motif on the carved wood and painted tiers, c. 1751-53. 3. The tiers of the theater, carved and painted under the supervision of Johann Baptist Straub c. 1751-53. These were removed and stored during WW II, before the Residenz was damaged by bombing.  Center, Top: The theater’s stage with decorative fire screen. The draperies around the stage are carved and painted wood. Center, Bottom: View of the tiers with the carved figures and flowers integrated into the lighting. Right Column: 1. View of the Royal Box. 2. Detail: Carved figure and festoons of carved and painted wooden flowers decorating the tiers of the theater.