Theater Trier

Theater Trier stands in the city of Trier in Rheinland-Pfalz as the municipal theatre and one of the region’s key cultural institutions. It operates as a three-branch house covering opera and musical theatre, drama, and dance, with a history stretching back to 1802. The current building on Am Augustinerhof opened in 1964 after wartime destruction and post-war provisional venues. Lajos Wenzel has led the theatre since the 2025/26 season, following earlier leadership by Karl M. Sibelius and Jochem Hochstenbach as general music director since 2018. The house has gained recognition for rediscovering neglected operas and staging world premieres. Since 1995, under Heinz Lukas-Kindermann, it has premiered works such as Sarema by Alexander von Zemlinsky and Die Glasmenagerie by Antonio Bibalo. The theatre employs over 250 staff across its ensembles and orchestra, including notable performers like Franz Grundheber and Anja Kampe. It once faced closure threats in 2013 but secured continued operation after city council decisions. Inside, the main stage measures 20 metres wide and 19 metres deep with a sliding and revolving stage, separated from the auditorium by a curved iron curtain. The orchestra pit holds 65 musicians on mobile podiums that can extend the front stage. The auditorium seats 622 spectators, and the foyer is being rebuilt during renovations. Performances during refurbishment take place at the TUFA and Europahalle, preserving the theatre’s role in the city’s cultural life.