Stuttgart State Theatres

One of the cultural showpieces of Baden-Württemberg’s state capital of Stuttgart is the Staatstheater Stuttgart – Stuttgart State Theatres – Europe’s largest triple-branch theatre. In opera, ballet and theatre this traditional yet innovative cultural institution sets new standards each season with top-calibre performances which time and again enthuse both international audiences and opera and theatre critics.

The history of the Stuttgart State Opera dates back to the 17th century. Under its present director, Viktor Schoner, and its musical director, Cornelius Meister, (both of them in office since the 2018/2019 season) it is regarded as one of the world's leading opera houses and provides important impulses for the music theatre scene in the present day. The State Opera has received the coveted "Opernwelt" magazine's critics' award "Opera House of the Year" no fewer than six times for its outstanding overall achievements. In 2020 the "Opernwelt" award for "Chorus of the Year" went to Stuttgart once more. The State Opera Chorus has therefore now been honoured thirteen times in recent years for the exceptionally high standard of its singing and performance, making it not only one of the oldest, but also one of the best choruses in European music theatre.
Both the internationally renowned Stuttgart State Opera and the world-famous Stuttgart Ballet perform in the imposing Opera House (seating 1,404), which stands in the middle of the extensive Palace Gardens and was once described by the producer Max Reinhardt as the most beautiful opera house in the world.
The Stuttgart State Orchestra, which started out more than 425 years ago as the court music ensemble of the Duke of Württemberg, has evolved into a modern orchestra, making it one of the oldest and most renowned orchestras in Germany.

The Stuttgart Ballet looks back on a long history rich in tradition dating from 1609. Thanks to outstanding choreographers in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, Stuttgart became one of Europe’s most highly regarded centres of dance. In 1961 John Cranko took over as the company’s director and choreographer, and in the following twelve years he not only wrote one of the most successful chapters in Stuttgart’s ballet history but also rose to a unique position himself in the ranks of the most significant choreographer personalities worldwide. The Stuttgart Ballet is one of the world's leading ensembles – in the past 2020/2021 season it celebrated its 60th anniversary. Tamas Detrich has been the director of the Stuttgart company since the 2018/2019 season and ensures that the Stuttgart Ballet continues to be one of the world’s best. In 2020 Friedemann Vogel received the German Dance Award for Outstanding Performer. Several other award-winners as Dancers of the Year (chosen by the magazine "Tanz") are also from Stuttgart, including Diana Ionescu and Shaked Heller. The Stuttgart Ballet’s unique artistic profile comprises not only John Cranko’s narrative ballets but also exciting works and first performances by other famous choreographers.
Following a construction period of some five years, the new building of the John Cranko School has now reached completion. The new structure offers ample space for a rehearsal stage, several practice halls and other facilities for up-and-coming young dancers.

The Schauspiel Stuttgart theatre company is one of the most interesting and innovative ensembles in German-speaking theatre circles, and its stirring performances are often a public talking-point. The theatre company is characterised by a wide spectrum of expressional and language forms – from ancient times through to the 21st century, from children’s plays to comedies and the classics. Burkhard C. Kosminksi has been the director of the Schauspiel Stuttgart since the 2018/2019 season.

Additional information under: www.staatstheater-stuttgart.com

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