The beginnings of the Nationaltheater-Orchestra date back to the time of Elector Carl Theodor, whose Mannheim court orchestra was one of the most prestigious orchestras in Europe. The most famous admirer of Mannheim’s culture and sound was Mozart, who stayed in Mannheim several times. Composers such as Johann and Anton Stamitz, Christian Cannabich, Ignaz Holzbauer, and Abbé Vogler shaped the orchestral culture of the ‘Mannheim School’. The long-standing tradition of performing the works of Wagner was established under the direction of the Kapellmeister brothers Franz and Vinzenz Lachner (1834–72) and continues to this day.

Within the framework of the Musical Academy, the members of the Nationaltheater-Orchestra Mannheim are the organisers of one of the oldest concert series in Germany. Since 1779, the Academy concerts have been planned and performed by the orchestra musicians with artistic independence and financial autonomy.

Personalities such as Carl Maria von Weber, Hector Berlioz, Richard Wagner, Wilhelm Furtwängler, Erich Kleiber, Horst Stein, Hans Wallat and Adam Fischer have conducted the orchestra in the past. Roberto Rizzi Brignoli is the new music director, starting with the 2023–24 season.

www.nationaltheater-mannheim.de

Photo: Christian Kleiner