The Theater in der Josefstadt is a
theater in
Vienna in the eighth district of
Josefstadt. It was founded in 1788 and is the oldest still performing theater in Vienna. It is often referred to colloquially as simply Die Josefstadt.
Following remodeling and rebuilding in 1822 — celebrated by the performance of the overture Die Weihe des Hauses ('Consecration of the House') by
Beethoven — opera was staged there including
Meyerbeer and
Wagner. From 1858 onwards the theatre gave up opera and instead concentrated on straight theatre and comedy.
Major figures in musical and theatrical history connected with the house
On 20 February 1834,
Ferdinand Raimund's Der Verschwender was first performed with the poet in the role of Valentin (with stage music by Kreutzer).
Between around 1840 and 1860, famous dancers
Fanny Elssler and the Spanish
Pepita de Oliva performed in the theater.
Franz von Suppé wrote music for over a hundred productions at the theater.
The first German-language performance of
Ferenc Molnár's Liliom with
Josef Jarno in the title role on 28 February 1913 played a key role in the piece's long-lasting appeal.