Theater Görlitz

Theater Görlitz stands in the heart of Görlitz, a town in eastern Saxony. It is a theatre building for opera and drama, often called the Kleine Semperoper because of its lavish interior. The theatre occupies a prominent position on Demianiplatz in the old town. Its main entrance faces the Kaisertrutz, a historic bastion nearby. The building’s design blends classical elements with local craftsmanship. The theatre opened in 1851 with Schiller’s Don Karlos, just fifteen months after the foundation stone was laid. Early improvements included electric lighting in the 1900s and a new entrance hall with a classical portico in 1911. Major refurbishments in the 1920s added a rear stage and fly tower, while the auditorium gained rich red and gold ornamentation, painted heads, and Muses. A large crystal chandelier once hung from the ceiling until the 1960s. After decades of change, the theatre was fully restored in 2002 to its 1873 appearance. Visitors enter through the grand portico into a spacious foyer. The auditorium now shines with restored stucco, gilding, and a recreated ceiling design. Modern lighting and sound systems support opera, operetta, musicals, ballet, and concerts by the Neue Lausitzer Philharmonie. The theatre also tours productions to Bautzen, Hoyerswerda, and Kamenz. Behind the stage, workshops and rehearsal rooms keep the ensemble active year round.