State Opera Prague

The State Opera in Prague is one of the most significant theatre buildings in the Czech capital, today operating as a stage of the National Theatre, even though it carried different names for most of its history. Standing in the heart of Prague, close to Wenceslas Square, it has hosted top-level opera and ballet performances for well over a century.

How did this opera house come to be?

The building's story begins in the late 19th century, shaped by the ethnic tensions of Prague at the time, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. When the National Theatre opened in 1883 as a Czech-language stage, the city's substantial German-speaking community wanted an opera house of its own. An association was founded in February 1883 to raise the necessary funds. Construction began in March 1886 and was completed in a remarkably short 20 months. The theatre opened in 1888 as the New German Theatre, with Wagner's "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg" as its inaugural production.

Who designed the building?

The architectural plans came from the Viennese firm Fellner & Helmer, the partnership of Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer, who designed theatres across Central Europe. Karl Hasenauer, the architect behind Vienna's Burgtheater, also contributed to the design. Construction itself was supervised by Prague architect Alfons Wertmüller. The result is a building combining two distinct styles: a restrained Neo-Renaissance exterior with classical touches, and a far more ornate Neo-Rococo interior. The façade is decorated with busts of Goethe, Mozart, and Schiller by sculptor Otto Mentzel, while thirteen sculptures by Theodor Friedl above the entrance depict scenes from classical mythology, including Pegasus, Icarus, Cupid, and Athena.

How has the theatre's role evolved?

Although the building never matched the National Theatre in artistic prestige, it stood out from the start for having a larger stage and greater seating capacity than any other theatre in Prague — an advantage it retains to this day. In 1910, it hosted the world premiere of Richard Strauss's opera "Elektra," underscoring its importance on the European musical map. Following the Second World War and subsequent political changes, the building changed names more than once, operating as the Smetana Theatre from 1949 to 1989. In 1992, by decision of the Czech Ministry of Culture, it was incorporated into the National Theatre of the Czech Republic, and the stage has since been known as the State Opera.

What should visitors know?

Today the State Opera is an active venue for both opera and ballet, forming an integral part of the National Theatre ensemble. Visitors can see classic opera repertoire as well as ballet productions, and the building itself — thanks to its architecture and layered history — also draws people interested in Prague's German-Czech cultural heritage.

Frequently asked questions

Is the State Opera the same institution as the National Theatre? Since 1992, the State Opera has been one of the stages belonging to the National Theatre of the Czech Republic, but it has its own distinct history and building.

What was this theatre previously called? It originally opened in 1888 as the New German Theatre, and operated as the Smetana Theatre between 1949 and 1989.

Who designed the opera building? The design came from the Viennese architectural firm Fellner & Helmer, with input from Karl Hasenauer, while construction was overseen by Prague architect Alfons Wertmüller.