Musicologica Olomucensia

Theatre Directors and the City of Olomouc between 1878 and 1920

This study reveals the structure of the economic and artistic life of the German municipal theatre in Olomouc. Between the city as the owner of the theater and its tenants, the theatre directors, a relationship existed with clearly defined powers and duties. This was defined primarily in contracts made with emerging theatre directors. The concern of this study is the period from the 1870's until 1920, when the former German theatre passed into Czech hands. In the later history of the German municipal theatre in Olomouc, there was a significant strengthening of the role of the city, especially since the director was no longer required to pay rent for the building and a considerable share of the operating costs were taken on by the community. The theatre director possessed only a limited amount of creative freedom regarding productions. Virtually everything related to the operation of the theatre could only take place with the consent of the municipal leadership. The city, through its representatives ran the theatre on the basis of strict accountability and contributed to the nature of the repertoire and its interpretation.