German State Opera House

(Local Name: Deutsche Staatsoper) The German State Opera House in Berlin was originally built by Georg Wenzeslaus von Knobelsdorff in the North German Neo-Classical style. It was the first theater to be built in Germany which was not part of a palace. In Aug. 1843 the Opera House was completely burned down, but was rebuilt a year later under the direction of C. F. Langhans. During the 1920s it was modernized. In the Second World War it was burnt down in 1941, rebuilt and then destroyed again in February, 1945. At the suggestion of the first East German President Wilhelm Pieck rebuilding began once more in 1951 (architects Richard Paulick and Kurt Hemmerling), and in September of 1955 the new Opera House was inaugurated with a performance of Wagner's "Mastersingers." The house has seating for 1,452. The program includes opera, ballet and concerts. In 1986, after thirty continuous years of performance, the house was extensively restored and the equipment modernized. It was reopened on Nov. 15, 1986, with a performance of Weber's opera "Euryanthe". The old inscription "FRIDERICUS REX APOLLINI ET MUSIS" was once again carved over the portico.

To the west of the Opera House lies Bebelplatz, formerly Opernplatz, with the Old Library on the other side.