The Opera House
Cologne has always attached a special importance to the theatre. This applies above all to opera, for the people of Cologne are fond of both music and the theatre, especially when the two are combined in festive splendour and display.
Since both the Opera House and the theatre were destroyed by bombs during World War II the Municipal Council decided to build a large and modern theatre centre off Offenbach Square, both these cultural institutions ^^^^ "°^^^^^"/^^^3; . accommodated in fine new buildings there. The theatre centre was designed and planned on extremely bold and modern lines by the architect Riphan, and many of the more conservative inhabitants of Cologne were . .f not exactly shocked, at least hj^^^^^^^ …. surprised at the result. In the meantime they have however accustomed themselves to the appearance of the theatre centre.
In fact the people of Cologne now take considerable pride in showing it to their guests and visitors. Since the new buildings were erected experts from all over the world have come to Cologne to inspect them, for they are certainly remarkable and unique both as regards their architectural layout and the stage structure and machinery.
The new Opera House has seating accommodation for 1380 persons, the theatre for 900 persons.
The Opera House /Words
to attach besondere Wichtigkeit legen auf
to apply to s. beziehen auf
to combine verbinden
festive festlich
splendour die Herrlichkeit, die Pracht
the display die Darstellung, der Aufwand
the Municipal Council Stadtverordnetenversammlung
to accommodate unterbringen
to design entwerfen
to plan planen
bold kühn
not exactly nicht gerade
highly surprised höchst überrascht
to accustom oneself s. dann gewöhnen
the appearance der Anblick
in fact in der Tat
considerable beträchtlich
the pride der Stolz
expert der Sachverständige
to inspect ansehen, betrachten, prüfen
remarkable bemerkenswert
unique einzigartig
as regards was anbetrifft
layout die Anlage, der Plan
the stage structure der Bühnenbau
the machinery der Mechanismus
the seating accommodation die Sitzplätze
The Opera House / Questions
1. Has the theatre always been important in Cologne?
2. Why is the opera particularly important?
3. Why were new buildings necessary?
4. Were the buildings rebuilt in the old style?
5. Who was responsible or the design of the new buildings?
6. How did the Cologne inhabitants react?
7. Have the new buildings been a success?
8. How many people can they seat
9. What does "festive splendour" mean?
10. Why do the people of Cologne show their guests the opera house and theatre?
Discussion and essay topics
1. Will television eventually replace the live theatre?
2. What type of plays or operas do you like?
The Opera House / Notes
1 Die Engländer ziehen das Theater der Oper vor. Es gibt in London sehr gute Theater, aber nicht in den Mittelstädten, mit Ausnahme von Stratford. Hier ist das Royal Shakespeare Theatre, das die Dramen und Komödien von William Shakespeare aufführt. Theater sind am Sonntag nicht geöffnet.
Das Interesse für die Oper ist in jüngster Zeit erheblich stärker geworden, aber ohne Staatshilfe kann die Oper nicht bestehen. Bekannt ist Covent Garden Opera House, die Glyndebourne Oper. Bekannt und sehr gern aufgeführt sind die einzigartigen, witzigen leichten Opern von W. S. Gilbert (Textdichter) und A. Sullivan (Tonsetzer). Diese Operetten erfreuen sich noch immer der größten Beliebtheit und werden namentlich in Schulen aufgeführt. Weil Gilberts viele Wortspiele unübersetzbar sind, sind diese Operetten im Ausland so gut wie unbekannt.
2. Der in Köln geborene und dort seit 1914 tätige Architekt W. Riphahn war Berater der Stadt Köln für den Wiederaufbau nach dem 2. Weltkrieg.
