Graz opera: Fight for the lost portico continues!

Graz opera: Fight for the lost portico continues!

Graz, Österreich - The Graz opera, a magnificent neo -baroque building, has a long history that goes back to Schiller's “Wilhelm Tell” until the opening on September 16, 1899. This impressive building, which was designed by the famous architects Fellner & Helmer, is the second largest opera house in Austria after the Vienna State Opera. With its auditorium, which takes almost 1,400 seats and is equipped in the baroque and rococo style, the opera Graz is an important center of southern Austrian music culture, which was also allowed to welcome renowned conductors such as Karl Böhm and Fabio Luisi.

But the story of the opera house is not only shaped by shine. On November 1, 1944, the building was badly damaged by bombing, which led to the loss of the classicist portico with its magnificent composite columns. After the war, the upper floor was simply restored and the portico was demolished to meet the contemporary architectural style. It is problematic that no attempt has been made to restore the original building state. City historian Karl Albrecht Kubinzky expresses concerns about the coexistence of the architectural designs and demands that the artistic productions of the opera should correspond to the highest level.

wish for restoration

In recent years there have been efforts to reconstruct the lost portico. Project ideas have been worked out, but so far they have failed at various hurdles. The “Monument Styria” association has been particularly committed and a fabric copy of the portico has been excited about a scaffolding to visualize a possible restoration. This Iniciativa shows the great interest of the Graz population in the revival of the historical heritage of its city.

The loss of the portico is not the only formative event in the history of the Graz opera. The architecture of the house itself reflects the efforts of the time to create a modern identity for Graz. The construction, which was built between the opera ring and the Kaiser-Josef-Platz, is on the place of the previously demolished Thalia Theater and has a length of 81.5 meters and a width of 48 meters. The interior also invites you to understand the splendor of past times.

A look into the future

Despite the challenges that the loss of such an iconic part of the facade, the Graz opera remains a pulsating center for modern productions and ballet performances. Comprehensive renovations have taken place in recent decades, most recently from 1983 to 1985 to get the opera up to date. Even today there are weekly contributions to city history and on historical topics that keep interest in Graz and its operational history.

The Graz opera not only successfully survived the past, but is also a sought -after place for cultural events and attracts a wide audience. The discussion about the possible restoration of the portico remains up to date and emphasizes how important the architectural heritage is for the identity of the city of Graz. There is truly an exciting story to tell that is far from over.