Friends of the National Theater

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Friends of the National Theater Munich eV
Logo of the Friends of the National Theater Munich Neu.jpg
purpose Promotion of the art form of music theater
Chair: Siegfried Kneißl
Executive Director: Andreas Schwankhart
Establishment date: 1951
Number of members: 1000
Seat : Munich
Website: https://www.freunde-des-nationaltheaters.de

The Friends of the Nationaltheater eV are a non-profit association for the promotion of the Bavarian State Opera , the Bavarian Theater Academy August Everding in the Prinzregententheater and other cultural institutions and projects of the city ​​of Munich . The association, founded in 1951 by the citizens of Munich, contributed significantly to the reconstruction of the National Theater on Max-Joseph-Platz in its current form. The close ties to the National Theater and the love for the art form of opera characterize the civic and patronizing commitment of the “Friends” to this day .

Goals and commitment

LED lighting of the facade of the National Theater Munich from 2017

The association was founded in 1951 with the aim of rebuilding the National Theater in its historical form, which was destroyed by bombs in 1943, as quickly as possible. In addition, the association saw the reconstruction of the National Theater as a unifying idea for all layers of urban society in the post-war period. The “Friends of the National Theater” wanted to arouse active interest in opera in all strata of the population, to organize appropriate educational work for young people and adults and, as a prerequisite, to be able to offer sufficient opera tickets for all lovers of this art form in Munich. After the successful implementation of the reconstruction of the National Theater, the association developed a continued civic engagement for the National Theater, for the art form of opera as well as for the general musical life in Munich and the promotion of young artists as a goal and task. The association is also committed to preserving ecclesiastical and secular monuments . The ideal and financial support by the “Friends” aims to promote cultural projects in Munich, to support or facilitate their realization. The “Friends” collect supporters and publicly advocate their projects. Since it was founded, the association has raised more than 32 million euros to promote Munich's cultural life. The association's decades of work have motivated some donors and patrons to ensure long-term commitment to music and spoken theater in Munich through generously endowed foundations and donations . The association looks after the Dr. Richard and Astrid Brunner Foundation or the August Everding Foundation. The donation from the opera singer Anita Davis was organized by the association as an "aid to artists from the Friends of the National Theater".

Activities for its members

Spectator of the annual concert of the "Friends" in the National Theater 2013

As the oldest sponsor of the Bavarian State Opera, the association offers its approximately 1,000 members today the opportunity to be particularly close to the National Theater. The members can take part in many events of the National Theater, the association and other institutions that are sponsored by the "Friends". They regularly invite you to the annual “Friends” concert matinee in the National Theater, to concerts and opera performances organized by the association , to guided tours and special events in the Bavarian State Opera and the Prince Regent Theater, or to take a look behind the scenes . The members are informed about the productions of the Bavarian State Opera and the Munich Opera Festival by the early dispatch of the programs . The “Friends” offer their members joint cultural , concert and opera tours in cultural metropolises such as Milan , Dresden , Lucerne , Berlin , Vienna and Hamburg . In order to get children and young people enthusiastic about the art form opera, the "Friends" always invite the youngest family members to special children's programs in the National Theater and the Prince Regent Theater, such as the "Seat Cushion Concerts" in the parquet cloakroom of the National Theater.

organization

The organs of the “Friends of the National Theater” association are the general assembly of the “advisory members” and the board. The members are composed of "Advisory Members" and "Supporting Members". The board of directors can appoint a managing director to manage administrative matters.

history

The foundation of the "Friends of the National Theater"

National theater in ruins

The threatened demolition of the ruins of the National Theater on Max-Joseph-Platz activated the citizenship and cultural commitment of some Munich residents in 1951. On the night of October 2nd to 3rd, 1943, the building was almost completely destroyed by bombs. With the revival of Munich's cultural life in the post-war period, the word “opera ticket emergency” soon made the rounds. The spectator seats in the intact and undamaged venues, such as the Prinzregententheater, were insufficient for the huge demand. Considerations arose to demolish the ruins of the National Theater and to build a new, modern theater building or opera house in the same place or at a different location. At a meeting of the "Theatergemeinde eV Munich" in November 1951, the association "Friends of the National Theater in Munich eV" was founded in response to these considerations. Their motivation: "If something doesn't happen within a year - the excavator will come!" The aim of the association was to rebuild the National Theater - on the old square and in the style of the house built by Carl von Fischer in 1818 and expanded by Leo von Klenze . The first chairman of the new association was the Munich City Councilor Jakob Baumann, who, like his co-founders, devoted himself to the cause with great enthusiasm and many ideas.

Hans Knappertsbusch

For their project, the “Friends of the National Theater” received the support of prominent personalities such as the conductors Hans Knappertsbusch and Eugen Jochum , the composer Carl Orff and the Mayor of Munich Thomas Wimmer . The immensely high costs of rebuilding and the desire to restore the building true to the original also led to negative reactions. A counter-proposal was a completely new building of the National Theater including the redesign of Max-Joseph-Platz. A new “theater center” was to be built on the site of the former “Turkish barracks”. With a high level of personal commitment and after many conversations, the “friends” were able to enforce their wish to rebuild the National Theater with its historic architecture. The interior of the house, on the other hand, should be state-of-the-art. The commitment of the “Friends” - probably the first citizens' initiative in Munich with a cultural goal - also met with incomprehension. It seemed unusual to some that “normal” citizens were so vehemently committed to building a state opera house.

Collecting for their goal 1952–1963

Lottery seller of the Christmas raffle organized by the “friends” in front of the ruins of the National Theater

The “Friends of the National Theater” tackled the problem of the high costs of reconstruction with ingenuity and zest for action. The very first action was spectacular. The “Friends” were able to collect prizes worth 240,000 D-Marks from Munich companies for a large raffle and take in 625,000 D-Marks through ticket sales. In the years that followed, the raffles were part of the annual appearance of Munich city center: They were opened by prominent politicians, actors and singers sold tickets and gave autographs, and the tickets were sold with great sympathy from the Munich population. The “Friends” were able to contribute 4,353,000 D-Marks to the construction of the National Theater from the proceeds of the raffle alone. Other events followed: The "Friends" organized benefit events, which included concerts and theater performances and even a day of flying on what is now the Olympic site . A highlight was a concert by the Bavarian State Orchestra conducted by Hans Knappertsbusch . At this concert Knappertsbusch got excited as follows: He will not stand at the conductor's desk until "the Bavarian State Parliament has decided to rebuild the National Theater".

Opening of the National Theater in 1963

In fact, in the summer of 1954, the Bavarian Ministry of Finance announced the competition to build the National Theater according to the ideas of the “Friends”: The outside view of the old building was to be restored, and inside a “modern, technically flawless and economical stage operation” was to be made possible. In 1957, the Bavarian state finally gave the order to rebuild the National Theater. When the National Theater reopened on November 21, 1963 with a performance of the opera Die Frau ohne Schatten by Richard Strauss , the construction costs were 67.7 million Deutschmarks. Apart from their non-material commitment, the “Friends of the National Theater” contributed a donation of 6.5 million D-Marks. The large chandelier in the auditorium, the painted ceiling in the King's Hall, many parts of the decor and almost all of the seating - each chair was given a plaque and the name of the founder - could be financed through donations from the “Friends”. For the “Friends of the National Theater” November 29, 1963 was the culmination of their efforts. On this day all donors of the spectator chairs were invited as guests of honor to the performance of the Meistersinger von Nürnberg . All members of the association, all important donors and also all members of the State Opera received a plaque made of Nymphenburg porcelain with an image of the National Theater as a reminder of this day .

And the “friends” continue to collect for the National Theater

The Roman curtain in the National Theater, financed in 1995 by donations from the “Friends”

Even after the reopening, the “Friends of the National Theater” remained closely connected to the house. They continued to collect for the building, for example to finance the stone gable decoration on the portico. This gable panel ornament "Apollo and the nine muses" was created by Georg Brenninger and unveiled in 1972. When the main stage curtain caught fire and burned during a rehearsal in 1993 , the “Friends of the National Theater” paid for a new one. Together with Bayerische Handelsbank AG , the necessary 450,000 D-Marks were raised. The red Roman curtain with 120 meter-long gold tassels and six gold laurel wreaths with a diameter of two meters could be pulled up again in the 1995/96 season. On the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the Musical Academy of the Bavarian State Orchestra and the 60th anniversary of the “Friends of the National Theater”, the association donated a new Steinway D concert grand in 2011 . The purchase price of 120,000 euros brought in a fundraising campaign among the sponsoring members. Since the facade of the National Theater was only appropriate lit on days and thus their eight columns , its pilasters and the upper and lower tympanum were difficult to recognize the "Friends of the National Theater" implemented in cooperation with the Munich-based company Licht AG Osram 's house in the right light. The facade lighting was inaugurated on November 2, 2017: the columned portico and the two tympana of the theater have since been highlighted by a special LED concept. The latest project by the “Friends” in the National Theater was the presentation of the new “Friends Foyer” on March 19, 2018. The northern entrance hall was redesigned into an inviting and representative foyer with upholstered elements, lighting and large photo collages by the photo and film artist Christoph Brech . Chamber concerts , introductions to works and events for children are to take place in this room, dedicated to the Bavarian State Orchestra .

Prinzregententheater: making playable again and garden hall 1988

Prinzregententheater

At the Prinzregententheater, the re-use of which was politically undesirable for a long time after it was closed in 1963, the “Friends” continued to work for several years. On signature lists, 100,000 citizens of Munich spoke out in favor of a replay. When the Bavarian State Parliament decided to restore the building in 1983, the "Citizens' Action Prince Regent Theater" was founded, led by the "Friends of the National Theater". To restore the garden hall, the “Friends” also collected donations at two benefit events in the Cuvilliés Theater. The two famous singers Ruggiero Raimondi and Hermann Prey as well as the Tölzer Boys' Choir performed at that time. When the house reopened on January 9, 1988 after a 25-year slumber, the “friends” had collected a total of 750,000 D-Marks for its repairs. The “Friends” then raised another 1,000,000 Deutschmarks for the final expansion.

Hubertussaal in Nymphenburg Palace 2003

As early as 1992, the “Friends of the National Theater” drew public attention to this former jewel in Nymphenburg Palace with two benefit events in the Hubertussaal . The hall was only preserved in its substance, without interior fittings and increasingly dilapidated. Motivated by the commitment of the “friends”, the Bavarian state took over the costs for security measures and the roof restoration. The Free State only wanted to raise the cost of the expansion into a concert hall if the Munich citizens would contribute 1.5 million. The “friends” could meet this requirement. Since it opened in 2003, the hall has been the scene of events of a cultural, scientific or social nature every other day.

Cuvilliés Theater 2008

In 2004 operations in the Cuvilliés Theater had to be closed for security reasons. The Free State of Bavaria did not want to provide the 22 million euros required for the renovation. The Bavarian State Parliament assessed donations amounting to ten percent of the costs as a clear vote of the citizens for the renovation in time for the 850th anniversary of the city of Munich in 2008. Together with the “Comité Cuvilliés”, which was formed solely for the purpose of making the house playable again make, the "Friends of the National Theater" formed a common citizens' action. By raising the required donation amount, this "alliance" contributed to Munich being able to shine again with its Cuvilliés Theater in the city anniversary year.

Redesign of the portrait gallery in the National Theater 2013

Portrait gallery of the National Theater in Munich, here with the portrait of the opera singer Inge Borkh by the artist Till Janz

The portrait gallery of the National Theater is a piece of Munich opera history. It is reminiscent of outstanding artists associated with the Bavarian State Opera. Founded in 1899 by general manager Ernst von Possart with purely private funds, this collection continuously shows virtuosos on the stage, portrayed by contemporary visual artists. The "Friends of the National Theater" have been looking after the portrait gallery since 1963. For the 50th anniversary of the reconstruction of the National Theater in Munich in 2013, 21 selected singers from the last five decades were portrayed. The paintings, created by u. a. Daniele Buetti , Joachim Baldauf , Karl Lagerfeld , David LaChapelle , Elizabeth Peyton , Andreas Mühe , Marc Brandenburg and Stephan Balkenhol have complemented the gallery since then. The “Friends” financed this project with 100,000 euros and have been adding two pictures to the portrait gallery every year since 2013.

Out of respect and admiration for the great artistic achievements, the "Friends" have been organizing a regular reunion of former ensemble members of the Bavarian State Opera since 1965. Since 1999, the “Meistersinger Medal” has also been awarded for outstanding artistic achievements by the Bavarian State Opera and the “Friends of the National Theater”. This medal made from Nymphenburg porcelain has so far been awarded to Hans Hotter , Inge Borkh , Astrid Varnay , Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau , Edita Gruberova , Hertha Töpper and, most recently, Zubin Mehta .

Promotion of young talent

The promotion of young talent in the field of music theater is an important goal of the “Friends of the National Theater”. The opera school of the Musikhochschule and the opera studio of the Bavarian State Opera received notable donations, for example for the realization of productions or direct support for talented youngsters through scholarships. To this end, the association received a substantial amount from the opera singer Anita Davis in 1984, with the condition that artists in need should be supported. The "Friends of the National Theater" have supported the Bavarian Theater Academy since it was founded by August Everding in 1993. The theater academy goes back to an idea by August Everding and is the largest academic teaching theater for stage professions in German-speaking countries. With the August Everding Foundation, established in 2017, the "Friends" enable direct support for the Academy , for example by awarding scholarships , purchasing musical instruments and study requirements, as well as sponsoring productions .

literature

  • Friends of the National Theater (ed.): The Munich Theaters . Munich 1957.
  • Citizenship and patronage . Text: Franz Freisleder, Munich undated
  • Free State of Bavaria (ed.): Festive opera. History and reconstruction of the National Theater in Munich . Munich 1964.
  • Haack, Barbara: We don't want to plug any holes. The "Friends of the National Theater" in Munich . In: Opera and Dance . Vol. 56, No. 3, 2015, pp. 13-14.
  • Schallweg, Paul: Ten years of national theater. A small picture book to remember . Munich 1973.
  • Schallweg, Paul: And the “friends” keep collecting ... 40 years of the Friends of the Nationaltheater eV 1951–1991 . Munich 1991.
  • In short, Josef: Theater Community Munich. Chronicle 1947–1997 . Munich 1997.
  • Bavarian State Opera, Friends of the National Theater eV (ed.): The portrait gallery in the National Theater . Munich 1990.

Web links

Remarks

  1. ↑ Paul Schallweg: And the “friends” keep collecting. 40 Years of Friends of the National Theater eV 1951–1991, Munich 1991, p. 9.
  2. ↑ https://www.freunde-des-nationaltheaters.de/informieren/#sec4 ; accessed on July 31, 2019.
  3. ↑ https://www.theaterakademie.de/stiftung.html ; accessed on July 31, 2019.
  4. ↑ https://www.freunde-des-nationaltheaters.de/haben-haben/#sec1 ; accessed on July 31, 2019.
  5. ↑ https://www.familie-muenchen.de/detail/bunt-und-lehrreich/1e7db2ac7cf6b18359c12e8d8997635d ; accessed on July 31, 2019.
  6. ↑ Kurz, Josef: Theatergemeinde Munich. Chronicle 1947–1997. Munich 1997, p. 44.
  7. ↑ Schallweg, Paul: And the “Friends” continue to collect ... 40 Years of Friends of the Nationaltheater eV 1951–1991, Munich 1991, p. 8.
  8. ↑ a b Schallweg, Paul: And the “friends” continue to collect ... 40 years of Friends of the Nationaltheater eV 1951–1991, Munich 1991, p. 15.
  9. ↑ Schallweg, Paul: And the “Friends” continue to collect ... 40 years of Friends of the Nationaltheater eV 1951–1991, Munich 1991, pp. 8–9 and p. 15.
  10. ↑ Schallweg, Paul: And the “Friends” continue to collect ... 40 Years of Friends of the Nationaltheater eV 1951–1991, Munich 1991, pp. 15–16.
  11. ^ Citizenship and patronage, text: Franz Freisleder, Munich undated, p. 6.
  12. ↑ Schallweg, Paul: And the “Friends” continue to collect ... 40 Years of Friends of the Nationaltheater eV 1951–1991, Munich 1991, p. 11
  13. ↑ Kurz, Josef: Theatergemeinde Munich. Chronicle 1947–1997. Munich 1997, p. 46.
  14. ↑ a b Schallweg, Paul: And the “friends” continue to collect ... 40 years of Friends of the Nationaltheater eV 1951–1991, Munich 1991, p. 18.
  15. ↑ Schallweg, Paul: And the “Friends” continue to collect ... 40 Years of Friends of the Nationaltheater eV 1951–1991, Munich 1991, p. 3.
  16. ^ Citizenship and patronage, text: Franz Freisleder, Munich undated, pp. 8-10.
  17. ↑ https://www.osram.de/ds/wissenswertes/fassadenlösungen-des-nationaltheaters%E2%80%93muenchen-deutschland/index.jsp ; accessed on August 1, 2019.
  18. ↑ https://www.staatsoper.de/ihr-besuch/aktuelles/meldung/news/neues-freunde-foyer-ausstellung-zum-staatsorchester-und-kirill-petrenko.html?no_cache=1&tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&cHash = af05b29ba5681ca1ee608ab791d7929b ; accessed on July 31, 2019.
  19. ^ Citizenship and patronage, text: Franz Freisleder, Munich undated, p. 12
  20. ^ Citizenship and patronage, text: Franz Freisleder, Munich undated, p. 17.
  21. ↑ https://www.hubertussaal.de/ ; accessed on August 1, 2019.
  22. ↑ https://www.sueddeutsche.de/muenchen/wiedereroeffnung-des-cuvillies-theaters-theaterraum-mit-tuecken-1.216862 ; accessed on August 1, 2019.
  23. ↑ https://www.staatsoper.de/opernstudio.html ; accessed August 3, 2019.