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RODon Giovanni Estates Theatre
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June 2023  | ||||||
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Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su |
The opera Don Giovanni, the Estates Theatre and the long-standing Mozart tradition are among the greatest glories of Prague’s cultural history. The Estates Theatre is globally unique in that it is the one and only preserved and still functional venue where a world premiere of a Mozart opera took place with the composer himself conducting. This premiere was – as is generally known – of the very “Opera of Operas”, Don Giovanni. And the Estates Theatre is all the more unique owing to the fact that this opera has been performed there for centuries. The world premiere of Don Giovanni on 29 October 1787 was a tremendous success and from Prague the new opera set out on its journey to global acclaim and admiration. Mozart’s “Prague” opera is one of the most frequently performed titles at the National Theatre. Mozart and Da Ponte’s opera is a work of Shakespearean multivalence, blending comedy and tragedy, “high” and “low”, giving rise to philosophical contemplations while at the same time affording entertainment replete with excitement and humour.
Orchestra and Chorus of the National Theatre
The opera is staged in Italian original version and Czech and English surtitles are used in the performance.
Photo: Hana Smejkalová
Duration of the performance: 3 hours and 10 minutes, 1 intermission
Program and cast
Estates Theatre
The Estates Theatre today
The Estates Theatre is one of the most beautiful historical theatre buildings in Europe. It has been part of the National Theatre since 1920. The Opera, Drama and Ballet ensembles give repertory performances at the Estates Theatre.
History
The Estates Theatre is one of the most beautiful historic theatre buildings in Europe. Its construction was initiated by the enlightened aristocrat František Antonín Count Nostitz Rieneck, led by the desire to aggrandise his native city as well as the souls of its inhabitants. The construction lasted less than two years and the Theatre was opened in 1783. This project, extremely important for the Prague of the time, was in keeping with the zeitgeist of the late 18th century, a time when national theatres were being built at European courts, royal seats and cultural centres in the spirit of the Enlightenment idea that a generally accessible theatre is a moral institution demonstrating the cultural level of the nation.
The first, sporadic Czech-language performances took place in 1785. From 1812 onwards there were regular Sunday and holiday matinees. At that time, these performances became to a certain degree a political matter too. Thus arising in the difficult years following the failed revolution in 1848 was the idea of a Czech National Theatre.
By car to the National Theatre car park
To the centre (OldTown), approach on Masarykovo nábřeží (Masaryk embankment) in the direction from the Dancing House, at the crossroads in front of the National Theatre turn right to Divadelní street and then right again to Ostrovní street to the National Theatre car park. Parking costs 50 CZK/h.
From there, walk to the Estates Theatre along Národní street, then 28. října street, turn left on to Na Můstku street and right to Rytířská street.
Other nearby secure car parks:
Kotva department store (Revoluční 1/655, Prague 1), then walk along Králodvorská street to Ovocný trh.
Palladium department store (Na Poříčí 1079/3a, Prague 1), then walk along Králodvorská street to Ovocný trh, or to the Powder Gate through Celetná street to Ovocný trh.
By tram
By daytime trams Nos. 6, 9, 18 and 22 or night trams Nos. 53, 57, 58 and 59 to the stop “Národní třída”, then by foot along Národní street, then 28. října street, turn left to Na Můstku street and right to Rytířská street.
By daytime trams Nos. 5, 8, 14 and 26 or night trams Nos. 51, 54 and 56 to the stop “Náměstí Republiky”, then on foot around the Municipal House to the Powder Gate, on Celetná street to Ovocný trh.
By daytime trams Nos. 3, 9, 14, 24 or night trams Nos. 52, 54, 55, 56 and 58 to the stop “Jindřišská”, then on foot along Nekázanka / Panská streets, turn left to Na Příkopě street and then right to Havířská street (from Na Příkopě street you can also walk through the Myslbek arcade).
By metro
To the station “Můstek”, lines A and B (green and yellow), then on foot through Na Můstku street and right to Rytířská street.
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