Grazer Orpheum

The Grazer Orpheum is a historic event venue in the Lend district of Graz, Austria, and one of the oldest continuously used performance spaces in the city. It occupies a building erected in 1950 on the site of the original Grazer Varieté Orpheum, which operated from 1899 until 1936 and was destroyed by bombing during the Second World War. Since the early 1990s the house has been administered by the cultural office (Kulturamt) of the City of Graz, and since 2008 it has been part of the city-owned Grazer Spielstätten GmbH alongside the Schloßbergbühne Kasematten and the Dom im Berg. The venue is known for its versatility. It contains two halls: the Großer Saal (Great Hall), with a capacity of 1,220 standing or 603 seated guests and a 150 m² stage, and the smaller Orpheum Extra, which holds 300 standing or at least 160 seated guests. The total capacity is 1,310 standing places across roughly 1,500 m² of event space, plus a 150 m² foyer. Promoters can rent the Great Hall, the Orpheum Extra, or the entire house. A gentle renovation in 2016 modernised the technical infrastructure while preserving the building's characteristic charm and patina. The programme is deliberately broad, spanning rock, pop and jazz concerts, cabaret and small-stage arts, children's theatre and exhibitions. Long-running series include the Newcomer band competition (held since 1970, not annually), the pre-Christmas charity gala "Let's spend the Night together", the weekly improv show "Montag" by Theater im Bahnhof, the Grazer Kasperltheater, the Kinder- und Jugendbühne Graz fairy-tale productions, the Grazer Bluestage (since January 2016) and the HEAST! indie, pop and folk concert series. The Orpheum is also regarded as the birthplace of Circus Roncalli: on 8 October 1975 Bernhard Paul and André Heller announced their joint project there, performing with a group of artists in front of a circus wagon parked on the square outside. As a municipal cultural venue rather than a commercial product brand, the Orpheum functions as a trademarked stage name and rental location within the Grazer Spielstätten portfolio. Its identity rests on its long history, its architectural character and its role as a flexible all-round venue for the city's cultural life.

The history of the Grazer Orpheum begins with the original Grazer Varieté Orpheum, which opened in 1899 and operated until 1936. That variety theatre was destroyed by bombing during the Second World War. In 1950 a new building was erected on the same site in the Lend district of Graz, initially intended as a cabaret venue. When that plan met with little success, the building was instead integrated into a large Graz cinema chain. During the 1960s and 1970s the house was reoriented thematically and became known as the "Haus der Jugend" (House of Youth). Since the early 1990s it has been under the authority of the cultural office (Kulturamt) of the City of Graz. In 2008 the venue became part of the newly founded Grazer Spielstätten GmbH, a city-owned company that also operates the Schloßbergbühne Kasematten and the Dom im Berg. The Orpheum holds a special place in Austrian circus history: it is considered the birthplace of Circus Roncalli. On 8 October 1975 Bernhard Paul and André Heller announced their joint project there, appearing with a group of artists in front of a circus wagon parked on the square outside the Orpheum. Over the decades the venue has hosted an unusually broad programme. Its two halls have accommodated rock, pop and jazz concerts, cabaret, children's theatre and exhibitions. Among its long-running series are the Newcomer band competition, held since 1970 (not annually) and described as the largest band competition in southern Austria; the pre-Christmas charity gala "Let's spend the Night together" with surprise guests; the weekly improv show "Montag" by Theater im Bahnhof; the Grazer Kasperltheater every Tuesday; the Kinder- und Jugendbühne Graz with fairy-tale productions premiering in autumn and revived in spring; a season-opening festival introduced in 2014/15; the Grazer Bluestage since January 2016; and the HEAST! concert series for domestic and European indie, pop and folk music. In 2016 the house underwent a careful renovation that brought its technology up to date without sacrificing its charm and patina. Today the Orpheum remains one of the last all-round locations with a classical theatre stage, described by its operators as having aged with dignity while staying young.

• 2016

  Careful renovation modernises technology; Grazer Bluestage begins in January.

• 2014

  Season-opening festival introduced (2014/15).

• 2008

  Grazer Spielstätten GmbH founded; Orpheum becomes part of it.

• 1990

  Venue comes under the authority of the City of Graz cultural office.

• 1975

  On 8 October, Bernhard Paul and André Heller announce Circus Roncalli at the Orpheum.

• 1970

  Newcomer band competition launched (not held annually).

• 1960

  The house is reoriented as the "Haus der Jugend" (House of Youth).

• 1950

  New building erected on the site; initially planned as a cabaret, later integrated into a cinema chain.

• 1936

  Original variety theatre ceases operation.

• 1899

  Original Grazer Varieté Orpheum opens.

A legendary, soulful all-round venue with a classical theatre stage, valued by artists and fans worldwide for its charm and diversity.

• Großer Saal (Great Hall)

  Main hall with 1,220 standing / 603 seated capacity and a 150 m² stage.

• Orpheum Extra (Small Hall)

  Smaller hall with 300 standing / min. 160 seated capacity and a 30 m² stage.

• Newcomer band competition

  Largest band competition in southern Austria, held since 1970 (not annually).

• Grazer Bluestage

  Blues concert series running since January 2016.

• HEAST! concert series

  Series for domestic and European indie, pop and folk music.

1. 1Orpheum Graz | Offizielle Website | Grazer Spielstättenspielstaetten.buehnen-graz.com
2. 2Grazer Orpheum – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
3. 3Grazer Orpheum – Wikidatawikidata.org