National Theatre
The Neo-Renaissance Slovak National Theatre, standing at the end
of the long today's Hviezdoslav Square, was built in 1885–1886 during
the time of Austria-Hungary, based on a design by the Viennese
architects Nándor Fellner and Henrik Helmer, who designed theatre
buildings in 10 European countries. It was opened as the City Theatre
on September 22, 1886 with the opera Bánk bán of Ferenc Erkel, which
is one of the most important Hungarian opera. As a sign of this
event's importance Kálmán Tisza Hungarian Prime Minister and his all
government, Mór Jókai took part on this ceremony. Gala performance was
conducted by Ferenc Erkel himself. The original building was designed
for 1000 spectators and was illuminated using 800 gas lamps, while the
auditorium had a lustre with 64 lights. The interior was decorated,
with frescos of by Pressburg native painter Kornél Spányik and by
paintings by Munich artist Leo Lüttgendorf-Leinburg, among others. The
City Theatre was hired by German and Hungarian professional theatre
companies, but beginning in 1919 (at the creation of Czechoslovakia),
it was used by Czech and later also Slovak ensembles. In 1920 it
became the Slovak National Theatre.
Photo 1246, Sept 2008
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