Interior view of the empty auditorium at Cuvilliés-Theatre in Munich.

Cuvilliés Theatre

Jewel of Rococo design

A venue that once hosted Napoleon, the Cuvilliés-Theater (Cuvilliés Theatre) in Munich’s Residenz palace is known as Germany’s finest Rococo theatre.

When the French emperor travelled to Munich in 1806 to mark Bavaria’s newly raised status to that of a kingdom, the Cuvilliés Theatre hosted two operas in his honour: “Das unterbrochene Opferfest” by Peter von Winter and Mozart’s “Don Giovanni”.

By this point, the theatre was already over half a century old. When a fire broke out in the Residenz palace in 1750, burning the entire royal theatre to the ground, Elector Max III Joseph commissioned the construction of a new opera house. When construction was completed, the theatre, which is now named after its architect François Cuvilliés, was celebrated as a “jewel of rococo design”.

The magnificent venue hosted countless elaborate productions of famous operas. Mozart’s opera “Idomeneo” even received its world premiere here in 1781. However, in the early 19th century, it entered a period of decline. At this point, the theatre was no longer reserved exclusively for the royal court but was also open to the citizens of Munich. By then, the theatre’s rococo décor was seen as a relic of times gone by.

Under the rule of King Ludwig I, the theatre company stopped performing altogether and all of the theatre’s interior fittings were removed. For a while, the room was used merely as a storage area for the neighbouring Nationaltheater.

It was King Maximilian II who restored the theatre’s status as an institution of cultural life in Munich. The monarch had the theatre renovated so that it could host classic operas. His son, the reclusive fairy-tale king Ludwig II, latched onto the spirit of the old royal theatre and enjoyed a number of performances put on exclusively for him between 1872 and 1885. These shows were known for their lavish decorations and stage technology.

The theatre was destroyed during the bombing of the Second World War. In the period between 1948 and 1951, the Neue Residenztheater (New Residence Theatre) was built on the site between the royal Residenz palace and the Nationaltheater on Max-Joseph-Platz square.

The only remnant from Cuvilliés’ theatre was the artistically carved panelling in the boxes in the auditorium, which had been transported to a safe location for storage shortly before the bombing started. In 1956, a decision was made to rebuild the Alte Residenztheater (Old Residence Theatre). The removed interior fittings were carefully renovated, joined together and installed in an area of Munich’s Residenz palace known as the Apothekenstock. For the city’s 800-year anniversary on 14 June 1958, the theatre was officially reopened with a performance of Mozart’s opera “The Marriage of Figaro”.

Now known as the Cuvilliés Theatre, the Alte Residenztheater – in its new home – is accessible from Brunnenhof courtyard inside the Residenz. With its exquisite white, red and golden décor from the 18th century, it is once again a jewel in Munich’s theatre scene.

www.residenztheater.de

 

Photo: Redline Enterprises
A man and a woman record a podcast in a laundromat.

Munich Podcasts

A feast for the ears

Many Munich museums and institutions have their own podcast. An overview.

Many Munich museums and institutions have their own podcast. Here we present a few examples that are particularly worth listening to.

A man and two women, one of whom has a small child on her lap, in a sitting position but without a seat in a room lined with red granite.

A sneak preview of Munich's 2024 gallery exhibitions

Hungry for art

You'll definitely want to catch these exhibitions in Munich's museums and galleries in 2024!

From the Old Masters to the new young things: Munich's museums showcase art from all branches and eras. Here are some exhibitions that you'll definitely want to catch in 2024!

A wall with graffiti in Munich.

The writing's on the wall

Get graffitiing!

Munich has long been the cradle of the European graffiti scene. Our author once painted graffiti himself, and today looks back on a quite exceptional piece of work.

Munich has long been the cradle of the European graffiti scene. Our author once painted graffiti himself, and today looks back on a quite exceptional piece of work.

Fountain in Grottenhof of the Residenz photographed through a window of the Residenz in Munich.

Royal Munich

Bisou, Bisou with the Sun King

The story of Ludwig II is a legendary tale: an account of a glamorous time that played out not only in Neuschwanstein, but also directly within the Munich court – the Residenz palace in the city centre.

The story of Ludwig II is a legendary tale: an account of a glamorous time that played out not only in Neuschwanstein, but also directly within the Munich court – the Residenz palace in the city centre.

Neuschwanstein Castle in the surrounding region of Munich.

Hiking guide

Royal wanderlust

Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof, Schachenhaus and Neuschwanstein: Bavaria’s castles and palaces are among the most beautiful in the world.

Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof, Schachenhaus and Neuschwanstein: Bavaria’s castles and palaces are among the most beautiful in the world.

Endless Staircase in Munich.

Art in public spaces

At second glance

Some public art in Munich is unknown even to the locals. We present six works of art that can often only be discovered at second glance.

Some public art in Munich is unknown even to the locals. We present six works of art that can often only be discovered at second glance.

Munich Card & City Pass

Discover Munich in a relaxed and uncomplicated way: discounts for the diverse range of art, culture and leisure activities with our guest cards.

Public transport is included

Many discounts with the Card, many things for free with the Pass.

Online or at the tourist information offices

Munich's Palace of Justice

Justizpalast Tour

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Book now for only 20€ !

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Small meeting room of the Neues Rathaus in Munich

New Town Hall Tour

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Book now from 20 €

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Magistrates, Monachia and magnificent celebrations: explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Exterior view of the Hofbräuhaus Munich at dusk.

Hofbräuhaus Tour

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Book for 28€, Mass beer included!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Towers at Marienplatz in Munich

Old Town Tour

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Book now for 18 €!

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Wort kettle at the Spaten brewery in Munich.

Spaten Brewery Tour

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

Book now for only 22 €!

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

A woman with varnished fingernails holds a gift with the inscription "simply Munich".

Vouchers

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

A stone jug with the inscription Oktoberfest Munich.

Order now!

Oktoberfest Shop

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

A woman in the exhibition "Der Blaue Reiter" in the Lenbachhaus in Munich

Discovery trip incl. City Pass

2 nights in your selected hotel and - thanks to the City Pass - free admission to 45 museums, sights and attractions: our travel package for explorers.

3 days from 313 € for 2 Pers.

2 nights in your selected hotel and - thanks to the City Pass - free admission to 45 museums, sights and attractions: our travel package for explorers.

Bag on green background

Vouchers

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.