The Musiktheater im Revier (MiR) in Gelsenkirchen is one of the architecturally most significant theatre buildings in Germany and a major work of post-war modernism. The building, opened in 1959 by Werner Ruhnau, is considered one of the first consistently modernist theatre buildings in Western Europe and has been a monument since 1997. The foyer was artistically furnished with works by Yves Klein, Jean Tinguely, Norbert Kricke, and Paul Dierkes — Klein installed his famous blue sponge relief here. The three-genre house with music theatre, ballet, and concert has about 1,000 seats in the main hall. Despite the structurally weak region, the MiR maintains an ambitious repertoire with a focus on contemporary opera and rediscoveries of forgotten works. The house ensemble works closely with the Neue Philharmonie Westfalen.
Yves Klein created an 8-metre-high sponge relief for the foyer in his famous International Klein Blue — one of the most significant Klein works outside museums.
At a glance
- Type
- Multi-genre theatre
- Location
- Gelsenkirchen, Germany
- Address
- Kennedyplatz, 45881 Gelsenkirchen
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