Theater in der Josefstadt

The Theater in der Josefstadt is a theater in Vienna in the eighth district of Josefstadt. It was founded in 1788 and is the oldest still performing theater in Vienna. It is often referred to colloquially as simply Die Josefstadt.

Following remodeling and rebuilding in 1822 — celebrated by the performance of the overture Die Weihe des Hauses ('Consecration of the House') by Beethoven — opera was staged there including Meyerbeer and Wagner. From 1858 onwards the theatre gave up opera and instead concentrated on straight theatre and comedy.

Major figures in musical and theatrical history connected with the house

Josefstadt

Josefstadt is the eighth district of Vienna (German: 8. Bezirk, Josefstadt). It is near the center of Vienna and was established as a district in 1850, but borders changed later. Josefstadt is a heavily populated urban area with many workers and residential homes. It has a population of 24,279 people (2014). With an area of 1.08 km² (.42 sq.mi.), Josefstadt is the smallest district in Vienna, and was named after the Holy Roman Emperor Joseph I.

It consists of the former Vorstädte of Josefstadt, Breitenfeld, Strozzigrund, and Alt-Lerchenfeld, as well as parts of St. Ulrich and Alservorstadt. The district borders are formed by Alser Straße (north), Lerchenfelderstraße (south), Hernalsergürtel and Lerchenfeldergürtel in the west, and Auerspergstraße and Landesgerichtsstraße in the east.

Josefstadt has developed into a middle-class neighbourhood. Most mayors of Vienna have lived here, as does Austria's current president. Due to its proximity to the University of Vienna, Josefstadt is also the home of many students.