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 Opera dates back to the 17th century. Under its present director Jossi Wieler and its musical director Sylvain Cambreling, 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. In 2016 the Stuttgart Opera received the coveted "Opera House of the Year" critics' award for the sixth time now (1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006 and 2016) for its outstanding overall achievements. Anna Viebrock, who has been closely associated with the Stuttgart Opera for many years as a set and costume designer, in 2016 received not only the award as "Set Designer of the Year" but also as "Costume Designer of the Year" for the scenery and costumes of Bellini's Die Puritaner at the Stuttgart Opera, as well as for Rossini's Viaggio a Reims at the Zurich Opera House. The State Opera Chorus was awarded the title "Opera Chorus of the Year" no fewer than nine times within 13 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 Opera and the world-famous Stuttgart Ballet perform in the imposing Opera House (seating 1400), 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 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. For over 50 years now the Stuttgart Ballet has been one of the world’s leading ensembles. Following Marcia Haydée, Reid Anderson has been the director of the Stuttgart company since the 1996/1997 season and has ensured that the Stuttgart Ballet continues to be one of the world’s best. In 2011 the Stuttgart Ballet received the “Company of the Year” award, and at the end of 2013 the European Culture Award for dance. The Stuttgart Ballet’s unique artistic profile comprises not only John Cranko’s narrative ballets but also exciting works and first performances by famous choreographers.

The Schauspiel Stuttgart theatre company is one of the most interesting and innovative ensembles in German-speaking theatre circles, and its exciting 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. Thanks to its first-class, controversial performances, the Stuttgart ensemble was awarded the title of "Theatre of the Year 2006" in critics’ opinion polls carried out by the stage magazines "Theater Heute" and "Die deutsche Bühne". Armin Petras took over as director of the Schauspiel Stuttgart at the start of the 2013/2014 season.

Additional information under: www.staatstheater-stuttgart.de

Photos: Opera house Stuttgart© Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH