Antonín Dvořák Theatre, Opera house in central Ostrava, Czech Republic

The Antonín Dvořák Theatre is an opera house with Neo-baroque architecture and reinforced concrete beams located in central Ostrava. Its facade displays sculptures and two prominent reliefs adorn the main foyer.

The building opened in 1907 as a German theatre and transitioned to the National Moravian Silesian Theatre after World War I. This shift reflected changing cultural circumstances in the region.

The theatre's name honours composer Antonín Dvořák, adopted in 1990 after earlier names including the Zdeněk Nejedlý Theatre from 1949. In the main foyer hang two large reliefs, Drama and Music, donated by sculptor Helena Scholzová.

The theatre stands in central Ostrava and is one of the two permanent venues of the National Moravian Silesian Theatre, so performances alternate with the Jiří Myron Theatre. Check which stage hosts the opera or drama you want before setting out. The building dates from 1907 and its auditorium was later renovated.

The theatre was the first building in what is now the Czech Republic to use reinforced concrete beams, with the structure built by the Ostrava firm Noe & Storch under architect Josef Schlögl. The ceiling painting in the auditorium is by Eduard Veith, and the main curtain, an allegory of work, trade and art, was painted by the Koutský & Rottonar studio.