Theater In Der Josefstadt
The Theater in der Josefstadt, which was founded and built in 1788, is a famous theater in Vienna located at the eight district of Josefstadt. It is considered the oldest, still active theater in Vienna, which is known colloquially as “Die Josefstadt”.
The history of Theater in der Josefstadt is influenced mainly with popular poets, composers, conductors and actors, such as the renowned Ludwig van Beethoen, Johann Strauss I and Richard Wagner.
In 1814, the Vienna debut of Ferdinand Raimun as “Franz Moor” in the Friedrich Schiller play, Die Rauber (The Robbers). In 1822, shortly after the theater as renovated, Ludwig van Beethoven reopened Theater in der Josefstadt with a bang with his overture “Die Weihe des Hauses”. In 1829, Johan Nestroy debuted his acting career with the “Die Verbannung aus dem Zauberreich oder Dreißig Jahre aus dem Leben eines Lumpen.” On January 13, 1832, the stages of Theater in der Josefstadt first witnessed the romantic opera by Conradin Kruetzer “Das Nachtlager in Granada” (A Night’s Lodging in Granada). A year later, Kreutzer became the theatre’s bandleader, which lasted until 1840.
Between 1840 and 1860, world renowned dancers Fanny Elssler and Pepita de Oliva of Spanish origin performed in the Josefstadt. In February 28, 1913, the first German-language performance of “Liliom” by Ferenc Molnar, which starred Josef Jarno played a major role in the piece’s lasting appeal.
Theater directors included huge names such as Karl Felix Mayer, Karl Friedrich Hensler, J. von Scheidlin, Carl Carl, Johann August Stoger, Franz Pokorny, Johan Furst, Josef Jarno, Max Reinhardt, Emil Geyer, Otto Preminger, Ernst Lothar, Robert Valberg, Heinz Hilpert, Rudolf Stenboeck and Ernst Haeussermann among others. Today, the director is Herbert Fottinger.
Today, productions at the Theater in der Josefstadt are usually traditional classics by Austrian composers from the late 19th and early 20th Century. The charming stage with Bordeaux-red and gold-trimmed décor and an amazing chandelier raised before each performance makes the theater a perfect place for classical events.
