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The Margravial Opera House in Bayreuth is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best-preserved example of a freestanding Baroque court theatre. Built between 1745 and 1750, it was commissioned by Margravine Wilhelmine, wife of Frederick, Margrave of Brandenburg-Bayreuth, for her daughter's wedding festivities. The opera house was designed by renowned theatre architect Giuseppe Galli Bibiena, the most important theatre architect of his era. The bell-shaped auditorium of tiered loges built of wood and lined with decoratively painted canvas showcases Italian Late Baroque style. The sandstone facade designed by court architect Joseph Saint Pierre provides a focal point and represents one of the earliest examples of a new type of building - the independent theatre. The auditorium retains its original materials of wood and canvas, seating roughly 500 people. Intricately covered in gold accents with a trompe-l'oeil ceiling, the interior may have attempted to imitate precious stones like lapis lazuli. The Court Loge built for the Margrave is located opposite the stage, taking up all three box stories and highly ornamented with symbols of the House of Brandenburg. As a court opera house in a public space, it foreshadowed the large public theatres of the 19th century. Princess Wilhelmine had established the margravial theatre company in 1737 and participated as a composer, actor, and director. After her death in 1758, performances ceased and the building went into disuse, contributing to its exceptional preservation. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2012, it represents a unique monument to 18th-century festival and musical culture, offering visitors the opportunity to experience authentic Baroque court opera culture and acoustics in its original setting.