The scrap-album contains postcards showing the exterior of the Koenigliches Opernhaus in earlier years, and opera-singers or performers in their various roles. There are also circa 19 programmes of the operatic programmes at Dresden Opera House, 1911. Also within the album are three letters to 'Eleanor W. Dolie' (Dollie?) addressed to a Paris address.
The album holds the signature 'Eleanor W. Dolie' (Dollie?) facing inside cover, and was presented by 'Miss Eleanor Hughes'.
Dresden's Opera House was built 1871-1878 as the 'Altstaedter Hoftheater - Koenigliches Opernhaus' by Gottfried Semper and Manfred Semper. It was opened on 2 February 1878 with Goethe's 'Iphigenie auf Tauris'. Over the period 1912-1914 there were alterations of the interior decoration of the building. In 1919 it was renamed 'Saechsische Staatsoper'. In 1938 there was a renovation of the auditorium. The building was destroyed by bombs over the night of 13-14 February 1945. Over the period 1945-1955 safety works were carried out on the site and the remains, and afterwards it was left as a ruin until 1977. Between 1977-1985 it was rebuilt to Semper's plans with slight alterations and the addition of modern extension buildings. It was re-opened 13 February 1985.
Open to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance of visit.
Transferred from other stock. Accession no: E2014.80
Catalogued by Graeme D. Eddie 23 April 2015
