Lviv is not Venice - our city is different and even a little more beautiful than the Italian pearl of the Venetian lagoon.
However, in both cases, we are talking about many tourists and unique architectural structures, the construction of which was determined by reservoirs and atypical landscapes. The history of the Maria Zankovetska Lviv National Academic Theatre is about this.
Unusual technologies were used to erect this building, and the theatre premises were not always used for their intended purpose - it also served the deputies of the Galician Sejm, and here - in the literal and figurative sense of the word, actors lived.
Finally, Nicolo Paganini, Franz Liszt, Sarah Bernhardt, and others performed on the stage of the Maria Zankovetska Theatre (former Skarbek Theatre). So let's look behind the scenes and recall the highlights of the "biography" of the theatre.
Congratulations from the fabulously wealthy but somewhat adventurous count
The story of the most ancient period in the history of the theatre should begin with the mention of Count Stanislav Skarbek, a prominent philanthropist, wealthy landowner, patron of orphans and the poor. His life is like a roller coaster, where wild success alternated with bitter failures, wonderful and sudden enrichment with debt abysses. Fortunately for us, in one of the most successful and stable periods, Count Skarbek decided to build a theatre in Lviv. The idea was realized.
The author of the project was a well-known Viennese master Ludwig Pihl, and the builder was Lviv architect Johann Salzman. Skarbek financed their trips to France, Belgium and the Netherlands to see the most impressive architectural structures of the time. He also not only visited the capitals of European countries but looked closely at the theatres operating there, and visited them. Then, in the late 1830s and early 1840s, one of the three largest theatres of its time appeared in Lviv.
The process of construction of the building and the peculiarities of its use deserve attention. Next to the location chosen for construction, the Poltva riverbed is lowland and wetland.
To offset the risks involved, 16,000 oak logs were killed and became the foundation of the future building.
The great benefit for Count Skarbek was that his boundless possessions were rich in building materials. Wood, bricks, stones, sand, lime, and everything necessary for construction were brought to Lviv from different parts of the world.
The architects designed a special heating system for the building and well thought out ventilation, fire safety equipment etc. The building turned out to be so practical that for some time its premises were rented, even for deputies of the Galician Sejm.
Many people should be grateful to Count Skarbek for his patronage and generosity. After all, it's not just about people - it's about cities. Lviv inherited the theatre from Stanislav Skarbek, which is now considered one of the city's landmarks.
At the same time, among the count's supporters, we will not find the name of his wife - Sofia Yablonovska. The story of divorce lasted for more than ten years. Finally, they still got permission and Sofia Yablonovska, much younger than Count Skarbek, remarried it was the famous playwright Alexander Fredro, whose plays were staged with great success at the Skarbek Theater.
Maria Zankovetska National Academic Theatre
Maria Zankovetska National Academic Theatre, whose troupe began its activities in Kyiv and later was based in several other cities, moved to Lviv during World War II and began working here in 1944. The former theatre of Count Skarbek, which at that time had already survived the change of several roles, became the place of permanent deployment of the theatrical troupe. In particular, the premises were repurposed for the Philharmonic during the Nazi occupation of Lviv.
Despite the original idea of the role and ideological functions of the institution, the Maria Zankovetska Theatre has adapted well to the cultural life of Lviv and found its niche. Virtually all the leading actors of the theatre troupe moved to Lviv. Talented young people joined their ranks on the spot. In 1972, the theatre was awarded the title of "academic", and since 2002 the institution has functioned as the Maria Zankovetska National Academic Drama Theatre.
Our days
Today, the Maria Zankovetska Theatre is considered one of the calling cards of Lviv. Those wishing to see it or enjoy the performance in this historic building should go to 1 Lesi Ukrainky street in Lviv.
Currently, the theatre's troupe includes more than 20 People's Artists of Ukraine, about twenty Honored Artists of Ukraine, and Honored cultural workers of Ukraine.
The performances take place on two stages. The theater's repertoire consists of both world classics and national masterpieces. The theater troupe also tours in Poland, Germany, Spain, Canada, France, and others.
