Theater Münster

The Theater Münster (formerly Städtische Bühnen Münster) is a five-division theatre in Münster, offering performances of its own ensembles in music theatre (opera, operetta, musical), drama, dance (ballet) and Junges Theater Münster. The symphony concerts of the Münster Symphony Orchestra also take place here. The programme is complemented by the productions of the Low German Stage, guest performances, readings and lectures. The theatre tradition in Münster was founded in the 18th century by Franz Freiherr von Fürstenberg. In 1774 the minister had the so-called Komödienhaus, Münster's first theatre building, erected in the former slaughterhouse on the Roggenmarkt to plans by the architect Wilhelm Ferdinand Lipper. A prominent figure at this venue was Albert Lortzing, active in Münster as actor and singer between 1826 and 1833. After the demolition of the house in 1890, the elegant Lortzing Theatre opened a few years later in the former noble court of the von Romberg family on Neubrückenstraße, inaugurated on 30 November 1895 with Zar und Zimmermann. After the city took over the buildings, the theatre continued from 1906 as the Municipal Lortzing Theatre.