Performances of operas, ballet and plays in Stuttgart took place from the 17th century at the hall of Neues Lusthaus [de]. The probably first opera production was in 1660 the singspielDer Raub der Proserpina by Hofkapellmeister Samuel Capricornus.[1] Four years later, a permanent stage was established.[2] In 1750, the building was remodeled as Stuttgart's opera house, named Königliches Hoftheater (Royal Court Theatre) in 1811. It burnt down in 1902, and opera was performed in a provisional Interimstheater.[3][4]
Today's opera house was built from 1909 to 1912 by architect Max Littmann from Munich, with two halls, Großes Haus and Kleines Haus. After the end of the monarchy in 1918, the theatres were named Württembergische Landestheater. The Kleines Haus, site of the world premiere of the first version of Ariadne auf Naxos by Richard Strauss, was destroyed in World War II.[5]
Staatsoper Stuttgart forms part of the Staatstheater Stuttgart, a three-branch theatre organisation for opera, play and Stuttgart Ballet. The house, which has been a listed building since 1924, currently has 1,404 seats and a per-season audience of approximately 250,000. An important centre for opera since the 17th century, Stuttgart has again become an important and influential centre since the war, particularly for contemporary works. Three operas by Carl Orff received their premieres there and the company has been associated with figures such as Wieland Wagner, Günther Rennert, Hans Werner Henze and Philip Glass.
Klaus Zehelein era (1991–2006)
During the era of Opera Intendant Klaus Zehelein, the company has won the Opera House of the Year award by the German magazine Opernwelt more often than any other company: in 1994 (the inaugural award), 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002 and in 2006. Pamela Rosenberg was co-opera Intendantin between 1991 and 2000, with Eytan Pessen acting as casting director from 2001 to 2006. Klaus Zehelein brought in directors Ruth Berghaus, Christof Nel, Hans Neuenfels, Peter Konwitschny and Jossi Wieler [de]. He created the Junge Oper, dedicated to performing music theatre works for young audiences.[6] Numerous CD and DVD productions document Zehelein's interest in modern works and new staging concepts. Under Zehelein's direction, the Stuttgart Opera was an ensemble-based opera company, with Catherine Naglestad, Tichina Vaughn, Eva-Maria Westbroek were members of his ensemble, and Jonas Kaufmann a frequent guest artist. GMDs of the company were Gabriele Ferro (1992–1997) and Lothar Zagrosek (1997–2006).[7][8][9] Albrecht Puhlmann succeeded Zehelein as the company's Intendant.
Present
Manfred Honeck was Generalmusikdirektor (GMD) from 2007 to 2011.[10][11][12] Jossi Wieler was Intendant(artistic director) of the company from 2011 until 2018, succeeding Albrecht Puhlmann. In April 2010, Wieler appointed Sylvain Cambreling as Generalmusikdirektor (GMD) of the company, effective with the 2012–2013 season.[13] Wieler and Cambreling each stood down from their respective posts with the company in 2018.
Since 2018, Viktor Schoner is Intendant of the company. Cornelius Meister became GMD of the company also in 2018. In October 2022, the company announced the extension of Meister's contract as GMD through 2026.[14] In April 2024, Meister announced that he is to stand down as GMD in Stuttgart at the close of his current contract in 2026.[15] In November 2024, the company announced the appointment of Nicholas Carter as its next GMD, effective with the 2026–2027 season.[16]
^Ulrich Drüner: 400 Jahre Staatsorchester Stuttgart. Staatstheater Stuttgart, Stuttgart 1994, p. 62.
^Christine Wawra: Zwischen Repräsentation und Resignation. Um- und Neubaupläne des Württembergischen Hoftheaters in Stuttgart 1750 – 1912. Württ. Landesmuseum, Stuttgart 1994. S. 11.
^Television documentary. Nobert Beilharz, Una Cosa rara – Klaus Zehelein und die Stuttgarter Oper (2003)
^Juliane Votteler, Musiktheater heute. Klaus Zehelein. Dramaturg und Intendant, Europäische Verlagsanstalt/Rotbuch Verlag, Hamburg 2000,
^Johanne Tremblay, "Klaus Zehelein and the Stuttgart State Opera: When tradition and innovation go hand in hand", International Journal of Arts Management, Volume 6, n° 3 — V631, 2004. ISBN0-01-480898-6
