Deutsches Nationaltheater und Staatskapelle Weimar

TheDeutsche Nationaltheater und Staatskapelle Weimar(DNT), or German National Theater and Weimar State Orchestra, is the most significant arts organization inWeimar.The institution unites theDeutsches Nationaltheater(German National Theater) with theStaatskapelle Weimar(Weimar State Orchestra). It plays on a total of six stages across the city. All sections of the theater and orchestra periodically give additional guest performances and appear in electronic media.

The Main House (Großes Haus) of theDeutsches Nationaltheater

Venues

1. Main House (Großes Haus), traditional main stage on Theaterplatz (music and theatre)
2. Foyer and Studio Stage (Studiobühne), within the main house on Theaterplatz (music and theatre;cabaret)
3. E-Werk Weimar,a former industrial site with two venues,MaschinensaalandKesselsaal(music and theatre)
4. congresscentrum neue weimarhalle(concerts by the Staatskapelle Weimar)

The Staatskapelle Weimar

Nationaltheater andGoethe–Schiller Monument(1996)

History

The precursor ensemble of Staatskapelle Weimar dates from 1482, with the formation of a musical ensemble in service of the WeimarFürsten(Princes). In 1602, the ensemble attained resident status at the Weimar court, as theHerzoglichen Hofkapelle(DucalCourtEnsemble). Notable musicians in the early history of the Staatskapelle Weimar includedJohann Hermann Schein(1615–1616) andJohann Sebastian Bach(1705, 1708–1717), both of whom went on to theSt. Thomas Church, Leipzig.Bach particularly worked as resident organist andKapellmeister.

Johann Nepomuk Hummelserved as the ensemble'sKapellmeisterfrom 1819 to 1837, on the appointment by theGrand Duchess Maria Pavlovna.Franz Lisztbegan his tenure asKapellmeisterin 1842, and championed the music ofRichard Wagner,Hector Berlioz,Peter Cornelius.Through this and his teaching activities, Liszt enhanced the prestige of Weimar as a musical hub, notably conducting the world premieres of Wagner'sLohengrinin 1850 and Cornelius'sDer Barbier von Bagdadin 1858.

After Liszt left in 1858, he was succeeded byEduard Lassenwho remained as director until his retirement in 1895. Lassen conducted several world premieres during his tenure, including the first performance ofCamille Saint-Saëns'sSamson et Dalilain 1877.Richard Straussserved as secondKapellmeisterunder Lassen from 1889 to 1894 and led the premieres of his ownGuntramandEngelbert Humperdinck'sHänsel und Gretel.

Peter RaabebecameKapellmeisterin 1907. With the end of World War I and the dismantling of theGerman Empire,the ensemble was renamed theWeimar Staatskapelle.Ernst Praetoriusdirected concert andoperaprogramming from 1924 to 1933. Because his wife was Jewish, Praetorius left the post after theNational Socialistsascended to power in Germany in 1933.Paul Sixtdirected activities there during the Nazi regime.

AfterWorld War IIand the end of the Nazi regime,Hermann AbendrothbecameGeneralmusikdirektor(GMD) and chief conductor of the ensemble, serving from 1945 to 1956. Successive GMD's of the ensemble have includedGerhard Pflüger(1957–1973), Lothar Seyfarth (1973–1979),Rolf Reuter(1979–1980),Peter Gülke(1981–1982), Hans-Peter Frank (1988–1996),George Alexander Albrecht(1996–2002),Jac van Steen(2002–2005) andCarl St.Clair(2005–2008).Oleg Caetaniwas principal guest conductor of the ensemble from 1984 to 1987. The ensemble was officially renamed theStaatskapelle Weimarin 1988.

In September 2009, the Swedish conductorStefan Solyombecame GMD of the ensemble, with an initial contract of five years.He concluded his Weimar tenure in July 2016. In July 2015, the ensemble announced the appointment ofKirill Karabitsas its next GMD and chief conductor, effective with the 2016–2017 season, with an initial contract of three years.Karabits concluded his tenure as its GMD in the summer of 2019, following an inability to reach terms on contract negotiations for extending his tenure.

In June 2020, the company announced the appointment of Dominik Beykirch as its new chief conductor, effective with the 2020–2021 season. Beykirch had previously served asZweite KapellmeisterandErste Koordinierter Kapellmeisterwith the company.The company elevated Beykrich's title to music director as of the 2023–2024 season. In October 2023, the company announced the appointment ofIvan Repušićas the next chief conductor of the Staatskapelle Weimar, effective with the 2024–2025 season.In August 2024, the company announced that Beykirch is to stand down as music director of the company, per his own request, at the close of the 2024–2025 season.

General music directors

• Hermann Abendroth(1945–1956)
• Gerhard Pflüger (1957–1973)
• Lothar Seyfarth (1973–1979)
• Rolf Reuter(1979–1980)
• Peter Gülke(1981–1982)
• Hans-Peter Frank (1988–1996)
• George Alexander Albrecht(1996–2002)
• Jac van Steen(2002–2005)
• Carl St.Clair(2005–2008)
• Stefan Solyom(2009–2016)
• Kirill Karabits(2016–2019)
• Dominik Beykirch(2023–present)

External links

• Media related toDeutsches Nationaltheater und Staatskapelle Weimarat Wikimedia Commons
• Deutsches Nationaltheater und Staatskapelle — Home page(in German),(EnglishArchived26 December 2016 at theWayback Machine)