Modern/Post-War Photos

Old Opera House, Frankfurt-am-Main today (2012).

Frankfurt-am-Main Opera

Opera in Frankfurt-am-Main has a long and strong tradition, going back to performances given by a visiting French troupe of operas by Lully and other Louis Quatorze-period composers. Not that unusually, opera in Frankfurt has "enjoyed" a somewhat patchy relationship with fire and arson over the years. The "Alte Oper", as it is now known, a fine example of the 19th century neo-classical opera house, was built between 1882 and 1887, and opened with a performance of Wagner's "Ring". By far the worst incendiary incident, however, came in March, 1945, when the "Old Opera" was effectively destroyed by bombing. While the building as shown in the previous photo appears relatively intact, in fact, little was left except the ne-classical stone shell. The interior had been razed to the ground. After the war, building or rebuilding opera houses was not a priority, given the very tight financial situation. However, the doughty practitioners of the art in Frankfurt-am-Main soldiered on, putting on performances in temporary venues such as the Stock Exchange building. A debate started up as to whether, when finances permitted, the "Old Opera" should be restored or pulled down; and/or whether a new opera house should be built. In the end, a brand-new Modernist-style Opera House and Concert Hall was built with the assistance of private subscription (opened 1963). Meanwhile, in spite of a number of proposals to deal with the "Old Opera" by means such as dynamite, serious moves to restore it began in 1953 with another private patron initiative. The cost of restoration was estimated at DM16 million; such things seldom meet their budget. The project went ahead slowly and expensively, with a final cost some DM160 million. Call me an old opera fan, but I think myself that it was worth it, and that the perseverance of the citizens of Frankfurt-am-Main in maintaining the project over many years (in the face of further proposals involving explosives) was commendable. The "Old Opera", restored to its former glory, was finally re-opened in August, 1981, with a performance of Mahler's Symphony No. 8. It is now used principally as a venue for orchestral concerts as well as more intimate musical events. Best regards, JR.