National Theater (Athens)
The National Theater ( Greek Εθνικό Θέατρο Ethnikó Théatro ) is a theater in the Greek capital Athens . After several years of renovation work and alternative stages, it returned to the old theater building on Odos Agiou Konstandinou ( Οδός Αγίου Κωνσταντίνου ) at the end of 2009 .
building
The decision to build a new theater was made by King George I around 1880 . Ernst Ziller was entrusted with the design and execution. The facade of the neo-renaissance building is based on the ancient Athenian Hadrian's library . The building was completed around 1890 and expansion continued until 1900. Between 1930 and 1931 the building was rebuilt again by the set designer and designer Kleovoulos Klonis.
Fire protection regulations and a lack of space made a major renovation necessary, in which parts of the old substance also had to be demolished. After eight and a half years, the renovated and expanded National Theater was put back into operation at the end of 2009.
institution
Attempts to establish a big stage already existed under King Otto . In 1856, however, parliament refused the funds he had requested. In 1862 Queen Amalie had theater performed instead of a ball in the great hall of the palace , with the ladies of the company being allowed to play. Andreas Syngros finally financed the establishment of the Municipal Theater, which for a long time was the only big stage in the city (apart from the Municipal Theater in Piraeus ). In 1939 the building on what was then Platía Loudovíkou ( Πλατεία Λουδοβίκου ), today Platía Kotziá ( Πλατεία Κοτζιά ), was demolished.
The Royal Theater was founded in 1901 and officially opened as the Royal Theater with three events . Angelos Vlachos became the first director . As early as 1908 it had to file for bankruptcy and the building was rented out for theater events.
After the renovation, it reopened as a national theater in 1932 . In 1941 Dimitris Horn made his debut at the theater . Maria Callas played in Tosca from August 27 to September 2, 1942. Long-term director was Alexis Minotis . Melina Mercouri was engaged in the theater for a short time in 1944, but where she was viewed as clumsy. A special feature in the 1960s was that it had a professional choir.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Gunnar Hering in: Harald Heppner : Capitals in Southeast Europe: History, Function, National Symbolism , 1994, p. 132 [1]
- ^ Jürgen Kesting: Maria Callas , p. 378
- ^ Ernst Probst: Superfrauen 7 - Film und Theater , p. 100
- ^ Theater heute , Volume 4, 1963, Friedrich Verlag
Web links
Coordinates: 37 ° 59 ′ 5.4 " N , 23 ° 43 ′ 30.8" E