Landestheater Coburg


Landestheater Coburg is a medium-sized three-division theatre in Coburg, Bavaria, Germany. Located on, a central square, the Neoclassical building has 550 seats. In 2008, the theatre employed 250 permanent staff and 100 part-time employees.

History

Like in many other princely residence towns, the roots of Coburg's theatre lie with the local ruling family. In the 16th century, amateur plays were staged in honour of the ducal family, mostly by students at the Casimirianum. Duke Albrecht, inspired by his wife Marie Elisabeth established a theatre hall in the building. In 1764, Duke Ernst Friedrich established another theatre, in the former Ballhaus, but no continuous stage work ensued. Only in 1827, when Duke Ernst I founded the Herzoglich-Sächsisches Hoftheater was a permanent theatrical ensemble hired. The location was still the Ballhaus which soon turned out to be insufficient. Thus a new building was erected on Schlossplatz across from Ehrenburg Palace. The new edifice was opened on 17 September 1840.
With the end of the monarchy in 1918, Karl Eduard transferred the property to the Landesstiftung Coburg in 1919. The foundation worked with the town of Coburg to operate the venue, renamed Landestheater. When Coburg became part of Bavaria in 1920, the Bavarian state took the place of the foundation.
The town continues to operate the theatre, but the Bavarian government remains the owner and carries most of the financial burden.

Conductors