Dismantling covered a wide range of works – chandeliers, historical stoves, parquet, windows, doors and other interior elements were dismantled, which were handed over for restoration and will return to the building after reconstruction. Partitions were demolished, as well as the previous heating line was dismantled and a temporary heating line was installed, so that the neighboring buildings would not be left without heat supply during the construction works.
An important part of the project is detailing and interior design. A 1:30 scale model of the building is in the making, which is intended for exhibition on the third (so-called Muse) floor of the theater and which every visitor to the theater will be able to view in order to orientate himself in the complex structure of the house. Architect Zaiga Gaile explains in more detail: “The model will be a real doll’s house, for which we are preparing original materials such as mosaic parquet floors, wooden doors, windows, panels, wallpaper walls, furniture and even chandeliers. We are also working on the ship Thetis of the model, which will be hung in the center of the glazed courtyard above the heads of the spectators. It’s Wagner’s operas The Wandering Dutchman character, and we managed to find in the archives the specific ship on which Wagner, his wife Minna and his dog Roberta fled from Latvian creditors. The ship experienced a storm on the way, during which Wagner had a vision of the new opera. The ship model in 1:50 scale was made by the master Aleksandrs Sharga, scenographers association Countess turned it into the wreck of a storm-stricken sailing ship with torn sails, a la the Wandering Dutchman. The real model will be three and a half meters long, and the public walking through the enfilade of rooms on the Muses floor will be able to study the rigging of the ship’s deck.” Work is also underway on the creation of the Wagner Theater Library – it will occupy the central space on the facade of Wagner Street, and all the five-meter high halls the walls will be occupied by bookshelves up to the ceiling.
The next stage of the works will begin with strengthening the foundations of the building and construction of the basement. It is planned that the construction works will last three years and the Riga Wagner Theater will be opened in the fall of 2027.
Renovating the Wagner Theater will achieve a number of important benefits, which will not only promote the diversity and availability of cultural events for Latvian residents, but also strengthen the image of Riga and Latvia as a cultural center and the connection with Richard Wagner, who was the Kapellmeister in this house for two years (1837–1839). . The project plans not only to restore the building and the theater hall, but also to create master classes and the Richard Wagner Museum. Wagner’s vision will be realized in the house GesamtkunstWerk21 – an incubator for all forms of art, which will become an international center for young artists worthy of the 21st century.
The main contractor of the project is an association of persons SBSC and 3A with the main designer Ltd Sarma and Norde Architects, on the other hand, the responsibilities of the engineer and construction supervision are carried out by SIA Buildings and Building Systems. Hired as a subcontractor for architectural and interior design Zaiga Gaile office. Experts from other countries are also involved – for example, theater technology solutions are being developed Theater Advies from the Netherlands, while specialists from Nagata Acoustics Led by Yasuhisa Toyota, who have participated in the design of the Elba Philharmonic and the Paris Philharmonic, as well as many other notable projects.
Project Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Rīga Vāgnera House, Riharda Vāgnera Street 4, Rīga, LV-1050, by renovating and restoring Rīga Vāgnera House supported by the Emission Quota Auction Instrument, the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the German Embassy in Riga and the Riga City Council.
Tags: stage dismantling Wagner Theater strengthening foundation building Diena
