Since 1918, the Lindenau district, not far from the city centre, has been home to the cheerful and comedic. Originally opened as a prestigious city variety theatre, the traditional Haus Dreilinden is now the venue of the Musikalische Komödie. The ensemble enjoys great popularity with audiences in Leipzig and beyond. Here, theatre evenings with a special flair and charm of their own are created in the genres of operetta and musical. This is guaranteed by an excellent ensemble of soloists, an enthusiastic choir, an efficient ballet with 15 dancers and a versatile orchestra with 47 musicians. The Musikalische Komödie can look back on over forty years of continuity as Leipzig's operetta and musical theatre. As a special theatre for these genres, the house is a real crowd puller.
Venue Musikalische Komödie
© Tom Schulze 
© Tom Schulze
Architecture
The Building
Today's building complex with theatre and adjoining residential buildings was a much admired structure when it was inaugurated in 1912, spatially integrating living, working and celebrating in the manner peculiar to the west of Leipzig.
Although reconstructions have been carried out in numerous areas since 1992, further structural measures were still necessary and planned. In 2014, the Oper Leipzig was able to acquire the neighbouring building of the Musikalische Komödie, "Dreilinden No. 24". From 2015, this will house dressing rooms, a rehearsal stage and the costume store.
In the 2019/20 season, the house was extensively reconstructed and could be presented digitally on 8 May 2021.
History
Today
After successful refurbishment and a final facade refresh, the Musikalische Komödie will present itself in new splendour for the 2021/22 season. The construction work was focussed on comfort and acoustics, taking into account the preservation order. The new seating and the extended tier optimise the seating quality and offer six new wheelchair spaces with barrier-free access. The landscaped courtyard and the renovated Venus Hall can now also be used during the interval. The modernised lighting control system, an ideally centralised sound desk and the new height-adjustable orchestra pit can meet the artistic and technical requirements of a wide range of productions.
2015 - 2003
2015
On 5 February 2015, Musikalische Komödie celebrated the topping-out ceremony for its new functional building. The choir and orchestra members moved into the new dressing rooms at Dreilindenstraße 24 in September.2014
On 12 May 2014, Musikalische Komödie, together with Operations Director Torsten Rose and Technical Director Frank Schmutzler, received the notification of funding from the European Regional Development Fund. This meant that construction work on the renovation of Dreilindenstraße 24 as a new functional building for the Musikalische Komödie could begin on 14 July 2014.2012
The emergency lighting was completely renewed to increase safety. There are also plans to renovate the neighbouring building no. 24, for which annual funding has already been approved by the city council.2009
The purchase of a digital sound console, which has replaced the old analogue mixing console, represents a major step towards an improved sound experience.2007
The open spaces at Dreilindenstrasse 14 to 22 have been redesigned into the »Komödien-Park(en)«. This so-called »MuKo-Garten« has been planted with greenery and visitor and bus parking spaces have been created, as well as the possibility of holding open-air events.2006
With financial support from the EU Urban II programme and the Lindenau redevelopment area, Dreilindenstraße was redesigned and a theatre forecourt was created for the Musikalische Komödie. The spacious entrance area is now even more attractive for visitors and sets an important example for the far-reaching redevelopment of an entire neighbourhood. The foyer of the Musikalische Komödie was reconstructed according to the historical model with financial support from the audience (Dreilindeneuro), the Friends' Association and private donations. The ceremonial inauguration of the forecourt and foyer took place on 24 September 2006.1995 - 1989
1995 - 1996
In the second phase of the refurbishment, extensive fire protection measures were carried out and the heating system was converted from steam to water. As part of the preservation and restoration of the theatre, measures totalling € 7.5 million were carried out during the two renovation phases.In addition, the neighbouring building at Dreilindenstrasse 24, which was in need of refurbishment, was acquired with the aim of constructing suitable lounges and sanitary facilities for the Musikalische Komödie choir. The building was structurally secured - which was to be directly connected to the theatre by an entrance - and a support-free roof construction was built to create the possibility of installing a long overdue ballet hall in the attic.
1993
The festive reopening of the theatre took place on 20 May 1993 with the premiere of the musical »La Cage aux Folles«. In the 1990s, a large repertoire and remarkable musical productions ensured a full auditorium. The successful continuation of the guest performances has also become an integral part of the ensemble of the Musikalische Komödie.1992
In this year, the theatre in Dreilindenstraße was temporarily closed due to urgently needed renovation work and measures to preserve the historic building. Following the presentation of a complete renovation and modernisation concept for the entire building complex, various measures were carried out as part of the preservation and restoration of the venue. This first phase of refurbishment included the renovation of the stage, improved lighting and sound technology and the uncovering of the original ceiling - the barrel vault - from 1918. During this time, Musikalische Komödie performances took place in the opera house and as guest performances in Germany, Switzerland and Austria in front of enthusiastic audiences.1989 -1990
After the death of Klaus Winter (summer 1989), a management team took over the artistic direction of the theatre: Monika Geppert (ballet director), Roland Seiffarth (musical director) and Erwin Leister (artistic director). After the political change in autumn 1989, preparations are made for the unbundling of the Leipzig Theatre Association.January 1990
Temporary organisational and legal independence of the Musikalische Komödie as an operetta and musical theatre under director Hans-Hermann Krug.1983-1989
Klaus Winter Director of the Musikalische Komödie, one of the three specialist theatres for operetta and musicals in the former GDR (alongside the Metropol-Theater Berlin and the Staatsoperette Dresden): Under Winter's direction, a special focus was placed on Viennese operetta and its masters Johann Strauss and Robert Stolz. Beginning of a special cultivation of the works of Robert Stolz; first performances of his operettas »Der Tanz ins Glück« (1983), »Trauminsel« (1987, with television recording). Continuation of the cultivation of Robert Stolz in the 1990s with »Spring Parade« (1994) and »Venus in Silk« (1997) as well as the Stolz revues »The Trees Bloom Again in the Prater« and »An Evening with Robert Stolz«. Music Director Roland Seiffarth (Music Director and Chief Conductor of the Musikalische Komödie since 1979) has made a great contribution to the performance of Stolz's works.1968 - 1912
1968
Renaming of the theatre to »Musikalische Komödie«, thus further strengthening its own profile. Mainly performances of operettas, musicals, musical comedies, less and less plays and chamber operas. Since the mid-sixties, also performances of major Broadway musicals, e.g. »Kiss Me Kate« (1965), »My Fair Lady« (1967), »Can Can« (1968). In the seventies and eighties, Musikalische Komödie developed into an exclusive venue for operettas and musicals with interesting musical productions such as »Der Mann von La Mancha« (1972), »Cabaret« (1977), »Sweet Charity« (1981), »Alexis Sorbas« (1982) and conceptually outstanding operetta productions including »Paganini« (1979) and »Der Graf von Luxemburg« (1982).1965
Wolfgang Weit becomes the new Artistic Director of the theatre, from 1968 Director (until 1983). Qualitative and quantitative further development of the ensemble and a powerful orchestra with great stylistic versatility through artistic tasks within various musical genres (feature opera, operetta, contemporary music), including »The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny« (staged by Joachim Herz, 1967).1960
With the opening of the newly built opera house on what was then Karl-Marx-Platz, the theatre is renamed »Kleines Haus Dreilinden«. Beginning of the profiling as a second music theatre with equal rights in the association of Leipzig theatres at the time - alongside the Schauspielhaus, the Kammerspiele and the Theater der Jungen Welt. The soloists, chorus singers, dancers and orchestral musicians who had previously been employed at the former operetta theatre at Lindenauer Markt are taken on as the artistic core of the operetta ensemble in the Kleines Haus Dreilinden under the artistic direction of director Erhard Fischer. Increasing importance of classical operetta in the repertoire of the Kleines Haus. Special focussing on the works of Jacques Offenbach.1952
Remodelling of the house to meet the minimum requirements of an opera theatre. With the start of regular theatre operations, outstanding opera and ballet productions; performances of important operas by Wagner and Strauss as well as contemporary works by renowned conductors such as Franz Konwitschny and Paul Schmitz, directors such as Erhard Fischer and Joachim Herz, choreographers such as Mary Wigman and Emmy Köhler-Richter.1944
Stage of the Leipzig Opera after the destruction of the New Theatre on Augustusplatz during the Second World War.1918
Opening of a metropolitan variety theatre in the Festsaal.1912
After remodelling, reopening as a magnificent ballroom with a small stage for artistic performances; beer and wine bar in the galleries. Opening of a metropolitan variety theatre in the ballroom.1713
1713
The Inn in Lindenau, where Napoleon is said to have spent the night after the Battle of Leipzig in 1813; later an inn with a beer garden, a popular destination for Leipzig residents. Even before 1900, summer theatre was performed in the inn's garden.