National Theatre
The
monumental National Theatre, on the banks of the Vltava River at the western
end of Narodni Street, is the pride of the Czech nation. The entire Czech
population funded the original construction of this neo-Renaissance structure,
with its massive sculptured horses leaping and rearing over the parapet
below its gold-topped dome. Just after completion in 1881, it suffered
a disastrous fire and, again, the Czech nation funded its reconstruction,
completed in 1883. The declaration, “From the Nation, To the Nation”
displayed above the theatre stage, commemorates their pride and generosity.
Architect Joseph Zitek designed the impressive edifice, and the interior
artwork, sculptures and ornamentation are a veritable roll call of the
Czech artists of the National Revival, all of whom donated their work.
The standing repertoire includes classic Czech operas such as Bedrich
Smetana’s The Bartered Bride, and Rusalka by Antonin Dvorak.
Opera
/ ballet at National Theatre— from 30 euros / person
Prague State Opera
The
neo-Renaissance Prague State Opera, constructed in 1888 by Viennese architects
Ferdinand Fellner and Herman Hellmer, was originally built as a popular
theatre for the large German-speaking population of Prague and, up to
and including the Nazi occupation, its repertoire continued to cater to
this audience. After the Second World War, the Czechs claimed it for themselves,
and named it Smetana Theatre after the great composer and leading light
of the Czech National Revival, Bedrich Smetana. With its spacious auditorium
and neo-Rococo decoration, it is truly one of the grand opera houses of
Europe. Its repertoire includes classical opera, works by leading and
lesser-known European composers, and popular musicals.
Opera
at Prague State Opera — from 30 euros / person
Prague Estates Theatre
The
Estates Theatre, a splendid Neo-Classical gem built in 1783, was the work
of the court architect, Antonin Haffenker. It received its appellation
in 1797, when some of Prague’s powerful German nobles bought up
several of the theatre loges, bequeathing them to their family estates.
The gorgeous interior may look familiar to movie buffs; the Czech-born
film director, Miloš Forman, used the theatre for his Oscar winning
film, Amadeus. A fitting choice, as it was here, in 1787, that the great
Viennese composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, conducted the premier of his
opera, Don Giovanni. Mozart’s operas have remained the basis of
the Estates Theatre repertoire to this day.
Opera
at Estates Theatre — from 30 euros / person
Laterna Magika
A
favorite with theatre-goers of all ages, the long-running Laterna Magika
combines ballet and modern dance, sound, light, pantomime and film projection
to present a unique and engrossing theatre experience. The multimedia
theatre troupe had its start almost fifty year ago; its first performance
was at the EXPO 58 World Exhibition in Brussels. Among the plays staged
by this popular troupe are The Magic Circus, Odyssey
and Casanova.
Performance at Laterna Magika — 25 euros / person
National Marionette Theatre
Puppetry
is one of the oldest traditional crafts in the Czech Lands. There are
several museums dedicated to the craft and popular, yearly festivals featuring
time-honored marionette characters first developed in the Middle Ages.
Here in Prague, the National Marionette Theatre has been staging a unique
version of the famous Mozart opera, Don Giovanni, since 1991.
Performed in the original Italian, the clever stage sets faithfully recreate
the 18th century atmosphere of the opera. The wonderfully fashioned marionettes,
dressed in authentic period costumes, act out the classic scenes to the
delight of spectators of all ages. Over the years, it has proved wildly
popular with international visitors. As the saying goes, “If you
haven’t seen this Don Giovanni, you haven’t been
to Prague!”
Performance
"Don Giovanni" at National Marionette Theatre — 18 euros / person
Black Light Theatre
On
a basis of original idea of the Black Theatre, lays a synthesis of traditional
Czech black theatre with musical, dance and a pantomime. Its performances
are a mixture of fantastic and real. The world of charmed subjects is
wakened up by actors in black tricot. The collective created in 1989 in
a short time has managed to conquer the hearts of many Czech and foreign
spectators, and to become one of the most popular of Prague theatres.
Performance
at Black Light Theatre — 18 euros / person
