Festspielhaus

1872 to 1876: Start of Construction until the 1st Festival

29.04.1872
The earthworks for the Festspielhaus begin with the groundbreaking.

22.05.1872
Laying of the foundation stone

02.08.1873
Topping-out ceremony

01.07.1875
Start of the stage rehearsals

24.07.1875
First decoration rehearsal in the Festspielhaus

01.08.1875
Start of the orchestra rehearsals in the Festspielhaus, until 12.08.

03.07.1876
Start of rehearsals for the first festival

13.08.1876
Start of the first festival with “Rheingold”

The total costs of the theater construction amounted to a total sum of 428,384.09 marks (approx. 3.29 million euros). The built-up area was 3319 square meters. The costs were therefore 129.07 marks (approx. 990 euros) per square meter.

From 1882 to 1940

May 1882
The so-called Königsbau (extension in the middle of the facade of the Festspielhaus with a separate entrance to the closed royal box) is completed.

26.07.1882
World premiere of “Parsifal”, start of the second Bayreuth Festival
Between 1883 and 1923, there were only minor alterations and extensions to the outbuildings at the Festspielhaus. The main building’s temporary structure remained untouched, although its condition would soon have urgently required improvements.

1888
Installation of electric lighting, which replaces the original gas lighting.

1914
Installation of the iron curtain

1923/1924
For the reopening of the festival after the 1st World War (interruption 1914–1924), the small restaurant is converted into a choir rehearsal room.

1924/1925
Siegfried Wagner had a large extension added to the rear stage of the Festspielhaus, which became necessary due to the changeover from painted canvas decoration with sets and backdrops to fully plastic, three-dimensional decoration, which required more storage space.

1930
From January, the new building of the so-called “Tannhäuser” magazine for the new production in 1930 is being built north of the main building. The current “balcony”, which was originally intended for the press, is installed between the Fürstengalerie (row of boxes) and the gallery.

1930/1931
A new administration wing is being built on the west side of the Festspielhaus; a new side magazine is also being built.

1932/1933
The staircase accesses to the auditorium, which were previously located between the shear walls inside the auditorium, are moved to the outside into the enlarged foyers. The previously open so-called Wandelhalle (south side) is protected by the installation of glazed doors

1934
A cabin for radio broadcasts is being installed in the middle of the balcony.

1939/1940
In June 1939, a storm tore open a large part of the stage house roof, damaged the fly tower and flooded the orchestra pit. As part of the renovation, a plan was drawn up for the permanent expansion of the temporary Festspielhaus. The war events prevented its realization.

Reconstruction from 1951

No festivals took place between 1945 and 1950. For the reopening in 1951, the house was in a poor structural condition, as it had been used for various purposes in the meantime. For example, the orchestra pit was covered with a temporary stage and the seating in the first rows had been removed in order to place the orchestra there for various events.

The financial situation of the festival initially only allowed for necessary repairs at the restart in 1951, which ensured the maintenance of ongoing operations. In the long term, however, a comprehensive concept for the structural preservation of the Festspielhaus became unavoidable.

Wolfgang Wagner’s construction program pursued four aspects:

1. The renovation
2. The renewal
3. The expansion
4. Improving the infrastructure

August 1952
The board of trustees of the Society of Friends of Bayreuth e.V. declares that in the future the preservation and renewal of the Festspielhaus and its technical facilities will be an additional task of the society.

1953
Installation of a complete new electrical system. A new engine house is being built for this.

1958/1960
The main facade of the auditorium is being renovated.

1959/1960
In place of the “Tannhäuser” magazine from 1930, a multi-purpose hall is being built north of the main building, which has the dimensions of the main stage and its slope. It serves as a workshop for the production of stage sets, as a magazine and as a rehearsal stage (rehearsal stage III). In 1960, a carpentry workshop was added to the hall.

In the period from 01.01.1962 to 31.12.1967, a separate construction office existed for the upcoming renovation and expansion measures at the Festspielhaus.

1962/1963
In September 1962, the originally three-story cloakroom wing on the east side of the stage house was demolished and replaced by a four-story wing. Rehearsal stage I is being built and an additional high magazine on the rear stage of the main building.

For reasons of monument preservation, all construction work on the outer walls of the Festspielhaus is carried out in the original half-timbered structure, but now in exposed concrete.

1963/1964
From September 1963, the three-story wing on the west side will also be converted into a four-story wing. The side walls of the stage house are moved outwards by 2 meters.

1964/1965
The old wooden construction of the fly tower and the stage house roof is removed and replaced by a steel construction. This made it possible to achieve technical improvements:

1. Effective expansion of the main stage by 133 square meters
2. Replacement of the windable round horizons with several round hoists with a larger radius
3. Enlargement of the lighting towers to the left and right of the stage portal
4. The stage has a double fly tower level

The new construction of the locksmith’s shop will be completed in February 1965.

1965/1966
The north and south fronts of the stage house must be renovated, among other things, for fire protection reasons. The northern gable window is replaced by masonry. In order to preserve the characteristic view of the south facade, the arched window is only bricked up behind. The stage portal is being renovated.

1966/1967
The entrance hall to the auditorium in the east is being renovated based on historical models. Bayerischer Rundfunk is setting up a sound studio in the middle of the gallery for radio broadcasts, which will now be recorded in stereo.

1967/1968
The orchestra pit is being renovated in autumn 1967. The old seating is being renewed.

1968/1969
The construction of a multi-purpose building is starting in October 1968, which serves as a self-service restaurant during the festival season and as a magazine or rehearsal room outside of this time. The canteen for the participants is being built in the basement.

1970/1971
An orchestra building with tuning rooms, repetition rooms and a choir rehearsal room is being built to the north of the canteen building.

1971/1972
The old restaurant will be demolished in September 1971. A two-story building is being built in its place, the construction of which is designed in such a way that it meets the spatial and acoustic requirements for orchestra rehearsals with singers or choir. It serves as a restaurant during the festival season.

1972/1973
The west foyer is being redesigned in the same way as the east foyer. The area between the main building and rehearsal stage III is being roofed over.

1973/1974
The old scenery barracks from 1876/1914 at the workshop yard are being demolished, and rehearsal stage V is being built.

1979/1980
The old painting room from 1876 will be demolished in January 1979. A new painting room is being built as a multi-purpose hall (magazine and rehearsal stage VI) with an upholsterer’s workshop and storage cellar.

1981/1982
The old intermediate building in the workshop yard will be demolished in September 1981. A new building with social rooms, storage cellar, material management, stage set studio and photo laboratory is being built in its place between rehearsal stages V and VI.

1983/1984
The corner towers of the stage house are being renovated. Another scenery store is being built north of the orchestra building from 1970/1971.

1984/1985
A new building with dressing rooms and a ballet hall (rehearsal stage II) is being built behind the main building, which is connected to the main house by a transition.

1986/1987
The construction of a choir rehearsal room south of the canteen garden will begin in December 1986. It will be completed in 1987.

1989/1990
The press office is being expanded at the northwest corner of the main building and is receiving a separate entrance.

1990/1991
The auditorium is receiving an improved supply and exhaust air system.

1991/1992
In 1991, the design of the forecourt of the Festspielhaus was started in the historical proportions (granite paving, historical lamps, tree planting on the east and west sides). Restoration work in the south foyer (Wandelhalle): The original wooden pillars are being exposed and renovated. Remnants of the old ceiling design and wall painting are being found. The foyer is partly returned to its condition before 1932/1933.

1992/1993
The south facade of the stage house with the large arched window is being renovated. The projection of the roof on the stage house with the characteristic side volutes and the crowning palmette is being restored. The scenery store from 1983/1984 is being expanded so that it can be used as a rehearsal room (rehearsal stage IV). A new lighting control system is being installed.

1993/1994
As the conclusion of the forecourt design, the sandstone balustrade facing the city is replaced by a cast-iron railing, which is based on historical models.

1994/1995
From September 1994, the auditorium will be completely renovated and renovated from a monument preservation point of view. The restoration work in the south foyer is being completed.

1995/1996
Renewal of the south facade (restoration of the half-timbered structure).

1996/1997
A building is being built between rehearsal stage IV and the orchestra building, which includes lounges for directors and assistants.

1997/1998
The engine house is being thoroughly renovated, as is the electrical system, which dates back to 1953.

1998/1999
The so-called Königsbau is being renovated and refurbished according to monument preservation aspects.

2000/2001
Renovation and expansion (from 12 to 20 individual hoists) of the point hoist system.

2001/2002
A new multi-purpose hall (rehearsal stage VII) is being built.

2003
Construction of hipped roofs and terrace roofing as well as installation of a cooling system for the restaurant buildings.

2004
Renewal of the heavy-duty point hoists (10 individual points à 1 ton with computer-aided control and connection to the existing computer control with remote maintenance).

2005
Installation of a lighting control system for controlling up to 16,384 circuit attributes. Unlimited storage capacity for lighting moods. New construction and commissioning of the locksmith’s shop. Area: 17.80m x 11.40m, gate height 6.50m; crane runway with 2 tons of tensile force for pre-assembly of steel structures.

from 2006 to 2015/2016
Renewal of the machinery in the lower stage:

Among other things, three new depressions are being installed – depression 1: 13 m x 1.25 m / depressions 2 and 3: 13 m x 2.95 m. All depressions can travel to a depth of 8 m and can be closed with a flap system.
Renovation and renewal of the point hoist system (upper machinery):

Installation of 24 computer-controlled point hoists, doubling the tensile force to 1 ton each.

Changeover in the lighting system: Xenon are replaced by HMI devices.

Installation of a powerful hydraulic winch.

Extensive conversions and new buildings in the west wing to improve operational processes.

Renewal of the portal bridge system, which dates back to the 1920s.

Electrification of the hand hoists (10 pieces).

Renovation of the facade south side and Königsbau as the first advanced construction phase in the course of a subsequent general renovation.

Playing time break 2015/16
Inventory and damage mapping in the interior and exterior by the architect and the specialist planners
1st construction phase
Refurbishment of the facade south and Königsbau of the Festspielhaus

Playing time break 2017/18
2nd construction phase

• Renovation of the facade north, east, west and the facade of the stage tower incl. static strengthening by masonry anchors
• Renewal of the windows in the stage tower

Playing time break 2018/19
3rd construction phase part 1

• Fire protection measure in the Königsbau with BR rooms and lighting box
• Conversion of the box on the right for possible use for wheelchair spaces
• Pollutant remediation ceilings
• Renovation of statics and fire protection in the area of the rear stage
• Further fire protection measures, in particular choir cloakroom, fire compartment areas and doors, replacement of glass doors, smoke extraction of the stairwells etc.
• Elevator renewal (102)
• Control panels machinery
• New construction of a mask studio in the workshop building

Playing time break 2019/20
3rd construction phase part 2
Renewal of passenger and freight elevators

Playing time break 20/21
3rd construction phase part 3
Creation of sprinkler center incl. sprinkler tank

Playing time break 21/22
3rd construction phase part 4
Staircase 6 Barrier-free expansion of the staircase to accommodate an elevator to the basement

2021
Improvement of fire protection; Start of the extensive renewal of the sprinkler system by renewing the sprinkler center and installing new sprinkler tanks and pumps below ground. Core removal of the stair tower East with sinking and preparation of the installation of a passenger elevator to improve accessibility and create places for people with limited mobility.

2022 / 2023
Completion and commissioning of the sprinkler system with installation of technical systems in the stage tower
Completion of the construction work in the stair tower East, commissioning of the passenger elevator is expected in autumn 2023. Certification for the good condition of the RLT systems as well as the effectiveness of the applied operating settings for a pandemic or infection protection operation.