# Hellmuth Matiasek

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Austrian theatre and film director (1931–2022)

Hellmuth Matiasek Born (1931-05-15)15 May 1931 Vienna, Austria Died 7 April 2022(2022-04-07) (aged 90) Rosenheim, Bavaria, Germany Education Max-Reinhardt-Seminar University of Vienna Occupations Stage director Theatre manager Organizations Salzburger Landestheater Staatstheater Braunschweig Otto-Falckenberg-Schule Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz Bayerische Theaterakademie August Everding Carl Orff-Festspiele Andechs Spouses First wife Cornelia Froboess ​ (m. 1967)​ Children 2 Awards Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany Austrian Decoration of Honour for Science and Art Bavarian Order of Merit

**Hellmuth Matiasek** ([\[ˈhɛlmuːt ˈmatjasɛk\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Standard_German); 15 May 1931 – 7 April 2022; also spelled Helmuth)[1][2] was an Austrian theatre and film director, theatre manager and teacher. He founded a small avant-garde theatre in Vienna at age 22. After working at the [Salzburger Landestheater](/source/Salzburger_Landestheater) as stage director, he became the company's [intendant](/source/Intendant_(theatre)) (managing director) in 1962, then the youngest intendant in German-speaking theatre. From 1983 to 1996, he was intendant of the [Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz](/source/Staatstheater_am_G%C3%A4rtnerplatz) in Munich, where he co-founded and later managed the drama school [Bayerische Theaterakademie August Everding](/source/Bayerische_Theaterakademie_August_Everding). He was close to the composer [Carl Orff](/source/Carl_Orff), and managed the Carl Orff-Festspiele Andechs.

## Life

### Education

Born in Vienna, Matiasek studied acting at the [Max-Reinhardt-Seminar](/source/Max-Reinhardt-Seminar) of the [University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna](/source/University_of_Music_and_Performing_Arts_Vienna)[3][4] as well as [theatre studies](/source/Theatre_studies), [musicology](/source/Musicology), [German studies](/source/German_studies) and philosophy at the [University of Vienna](/source/University_of_Vienna).[5] He completed his studies in 1958[6] with the promotion about *Komik eines Clowns* to [Dr.phil](/source/Doctorate).[7][1][8]

### Theatre

In 1953, Matiasek founded the avant-garde student theatre *Kaleidoskop* in Vienna (later: *Atelier-Theater*), and acted as its director.[5] From 1960, he worked at the [Städtische Bühnen Köln](/source/St%C3%A4dtische_B%C3%BChnen_K%C3%B6ln) where [Oscar Fritz Schuh](/source/Oscar_Fritz_Schuh) was director.[9] From 1962, he worked as director at the [Salzburger Landestheater](/source/Salzburger_Landestheater)[10] He became [intendant](/source/Intendant_(theatre)) (managing director) of the Salzburg theatre in 1962, then the youngest person in German-speaking theatre to achieve such a position.[5] Around that time, he met the composer [Carl Orff](/source/Carl_Orff), whose works would be a constant in his productions.[3] From 1964, Matiasek was [general director](/source/General_director) of the [Staatstheater Braunschweig](/source/Staatstheater_Braunschweig),[6] from 1978 he held the same position at the [Wuppertaler Bühnen](/source/Wuppertaler_B%C3%BChnen), and from 1983 to 1996 he was intendant of the [Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz](/source/Staatstheater_am_G%C3%A4rtnerplatz) in Munich.[6] His last stage direction there was Verdi's last opera, *[Falstaff](/source/Falstaff_(opera))*.[7]

Matiasek was also [artistic director](/source/Artistic_director) of the [Carl Orff-Festspiele Andechs](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Carl_Orff-Festspiele_Andechs&action=edit&redlink=1) [[de](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Orff-Festspiele_Andechs)] in [Andechs](/source/Andechs) from 1997 to 2006. He directed all stage works for the festival dedicated to [Carl Orff](/source/Carl_Orff) who is buried there, and made the event attractive beyond the region.[10] He was simultaneously president of the [Bayerische Theaterakademie August Everding](/source/Bayerische_Theaterakademie_August_Everding).[6]

Matiasek worked as a guest director at several theatres in Germany and abroad, including the [Hamburgische Staatsoper](/source/Hamburgische_Staatsoper), [Deutsches Schauspielhaus](/source/Deutsches_Schauspielhaus) in Hamburg, [Bayerisches Staatsschauspiel](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bayerisches_Staatsschauspiel&action=edit&redlink=1) [[de](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayerisches_Staatsschauspiel)] in Munich, the [Münchner Kammerspiele](/source/M%C3%BCnchner_Kammerspiele), the [Staatstheater Stuttgart](/source/Staatstheater_Stuttgart), the [Burgtheater](/source/Burgtheater) in Vienna, as well as the [Bregenzer Festspiele](/source/Bregenzer_Festspiele).[8][11][10] At the [Salzburg Festival](/source/Salzburg_Festival), he directed in 1967 Mozart's *[Ascanio in Alba](/source/Ascanio_in_Alba)* in sets designed by [Ekkehard Grübler](/source/Ekkehard_Gr%C3%BCbler) and conducted by [Leopold Hager](/source/Leopold_Hager).[12]

### Teaching activities and memberships

Matiasek was director of the [Otto-Falckenberg-Schule](/source/Otto-Falckenberg-Schule) in Munich from 1972 to 1978. He co-founded the [Bayerische Theaterakademie August Everding](/source/Bayerische_Theaterakademie_August_Everding) in 1993,[5] and became its president in 2000, after Everding's death.[3] He was also involved in the [International Theatre Institute](/source/International_Theatre_Institute) (ITI).[13] Matiasek was a member of the supervisory board of the [Bundestheater](/source/Federal_Theatre_(Austria))-Holding and was program advisory board of the [European Forum Alpbach](/source/European_Forum_Alpbach).[5][14]

### Personal life

Document signed by Matiasek and his wife [Cornelia Froboess](/source/Cornelia_Froboess)

Matiasek was married from 1967, in second marriage, with the actress [Cornelia Froboess](/source/Cornelia_Froboess). They settled in the countryside in [Rosenheim](/source/Rosenheim).[3][6][5] The couple had a daughter, Agnes, and a son, Kaspar.[15]

Matiasek died in [Rosenheim](/source/Rosenheim) on 7 April 2022, at the age of 90.[10][3]

## Publications

Matiasek wrote the libretto for a musical [mystery play](/source/Mystery_play) *Das Salzburger Spiel vom verloren Sohn*, about the [Prodigal Son](/source/Parable_of_the_Prodigal_Son), based on old sources. With music by [Wilfried Hiller](/source/Wilfried_Hiller) for soloist, choir, children's choir and instrumental ensemble, it was published by [Schott](/source/Schott_Music). The world premiere at the [Kollegienkirche](/source/Kollegienkirche%2C_Salzburg) in Salzburg on 4 October 2015 was conducted by [Wolfgang Götz](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wolfgang_G%C3%B6tz&action=edit&redlink=1) [[de](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_G%C3%B6tz_(Chorleiter))].[16]

## Honours

In 1963 Matiasek was awarded the Austrian Theaterdirektoren-Preis,[6] in 1992 the [Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany](/source/Order_of_Merit_of_the_Federal_Republic_of_Germany) first class and in 1993 the [Austrian Decoration of Honour for Science and Art](/source/Austrian_Decoration_of_Honour_for_Science_and_Art);[6] in 1996 he was awarded the [Bavarian Order of Merit](/source/Bavarian_Order_of_Merit); in 2003 he received the [Oberbayerischer Kulturpreis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Oberbayerischer_Kulturpreis&action=edit&redlink=1) [[de](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberbayerischer_Kulturpreis)][6] and in 2008 the award *[Pro meritis scientiae et litterarum](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pro_meritis_scientiae_et_litterarum&action=edit&redlink=1) [[de](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_meritis_scientiae_et_litterarum)]* of Bavaria.[17]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Matiasek_Diss_1958_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Matiasek_Diss_1958_1-1) Helmuth Matiasek: *Die Komik der Clowns*. (in German) Dissertation. Universität Wien, Vienna 1958, [ONB](http://katzoom.onb.ac.at/DB2/nkn/m001/z081/h065/b0806406.gif)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Helmuth Matiasek (et al.): *Schönbrunner Schloßtheater (…) Mittwoch, den 25. Juni 1952 (…) Freitag, den 27. Juni 1952 (…) Festvorstellung zum 100jähr(igen) Bestand der Schauspielschue Glück, Missbrauch und Rückkehr oder Das Geheimnis des grauen Hauses (…)*. Bildliche Darstellung. Elbemühl, Wien 1952. – [Image online](http://media.obvsg.at/AC10636166-4201).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Grenzmann_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Grenzmann_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Grenzmann_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Grenzmann_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Grenzmann_3-4) Grenzmann, Teresa (10 April 2022). ["Nachruf auf Hellmuth Matiasek : Der kluge Praktiker"](https://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/nachruf-auf-hellmuth-matiasek-der-kluge-praktiker-17949591.html). *[FAZ](/source/Frankfurter_Allgemeine_Zeitung)* (in German). Retrieved 12 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Munzinger_4-0)** [Hellmuth Matiasek / österreichischer Regisseur und Intendant; Prof.; Dr. phil.](https://www.munzinger.de/search/portrait/Hellmuth+Matiasek/0/14625.html) Munzinger

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Dieckmann_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Dieckmann_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Dieckmann_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Dieckmann_5-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Dieckmann_5-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Dieckmann_5-5) Dieckmann, Cordula (20 December 2019). ["Hobbyschreiner und Theatermann: Matiasek wird 80"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191220105422/https://www.mittelbayerische.de/kultur-nachrichten/hobbyschreiner-und-theatermann-matiasek-wird-80-21853-art663342.html). *Mittelbayerische Zeitung* (in German). Archived from [the original](https://www.mittelbayerische.de/kultur-nachrichten/hobbyschreiner-und-theatermann-matiasek-wird-80-21853-art663342.html) on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Austria_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Austria_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Austria_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Austria_6-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Austria_6-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Austria_6-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Austria_6-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-Austria_6-7) [Matiasek, Hellmuth](https://austria-forum.org/af/Biographien/Matiasek%2C_Hellmuth) on Austria-Forum

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Mitteldeutsche_Zeitung_2006_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Mitteldeutsche_Zeitung_2006_7-1) ["Hellmuth Matiasek wird 75: Tradition und Moderne"](https://www.mz.de/kultur/hellmuth-matiasek-wird-75-tradition-und-moderne-2818731). *Mitteldeutsche Zeitung* (in German). [dpa](/source/Deutsche_Presse-Agentur). 9 May 2006. Retrieved 9 April 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Biografie_WHOS_WHO_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Biografie_WHOS_WHO_8-1) ["Hellmuth Matiasek"](https://whoswho.de/bio/hellmuth-matiasek.html). *Biografie WHO'S WHO* (in German). Retrieved 9 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ZEIT_ONLINE_9-0)** Jacobi, Johannes (30 June 1967). ["Die Ohnmacht der Allmacht"](https://www.zeit.de/1967/26/die-ohnmacht-der-allmacht/komplettansicht). *[Die Zeit](/source/Die_Zeit)* (in German). Retrieved 9 April 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-br_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-br_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-br_10-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-br_10-3) ["Münchner Theatermann Hellmuth Matiasek gestorben"](https://www.br.de/nachrichten/kultur/muenchner-theatermann-hellmuth-matiasek-gestorben,T2RVN7p). *[BR](/source/Bayerischer_Rundfunk)* (in German). 8 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-MUSIK_HEUTE_2022_11-0)** ["Regisseur Hellmuth Matiasek (90) gestorben"](http://www.musik-heute.de/23795/regisseur-hellmuth-matiasek-90-gestorben/). *Musik Heute* (in German). 8 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Festspiele_12-0)** ["Salzburg Festival / History 1967"](https://archive.salzburgerfestspiele.at/history/1967). *Salzburger Festspiele Pfingsten – 7. bis 10. Juni 2019*. Retrieved 11 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Herbert_Leclercq_International_Theatre_Institute_2000_p._287_13-0)** Herbert, I.; Leclercq, N.; International Theatre Institute (2000). [*The World of Theatre: An Account of the Theatre Seasons 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99*](https://books.google.com/books?id=TG2mP5KTDn8C&pg=PA287). World of theatre. Routledge. p. 287. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-415-23866-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-415-23866-3). Retrieved 9 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Theatermacher Hellmuth Matiasek gestorben"](https://www.derstandard.de/story/2000134806602/theatermacher-hellmuth-matiasek-im-alter-von-90-jahren-gestorben). *[Der Standard](/source/Der_Standard)* (in German). 8 April 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Morgenpost_15-0)** [Cornelia Froboess / Wunderkinder haben es schwer](https://www.morgenpost.de/printarchiv/leute/article106023860/Wunderkinder-haben-es-schwer.html) (in German) *[Berliner Morgenpost](/source/Berliner_Morgenpost)* 28 December 2019

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Das Salzburger Spiel vom verloren Sohn"](https://en.schott-music.com/shop/das-salzburger-spiel-vom-verloren-sohn-no325137.html) (in German). [Schott](/source/Schott_Music). Retrieved 11 April 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Frau Schilling, ganz ausgezeichnet!"](http://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/augsburg/Frau-Schilling-ganz-ausgezeichnet-id4314321.html). *[Augsburger Allgemeine](/source/Augsburger_Allgemeine)* (in German). Retrieved 11 December 2019.

## Further reading

- ["Theaterregisseur Hellmuth Matiasek gestorben"](https://www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/theaterregisseur-hellmuth-matiasek-gestorben-100.html). *[Deutschlandfunk Kultur](/source/Deutschlandfunk_Kultur)* (in German). 7 April 2021. Retrieved 9 April 2022.

## External links

- [Literature by and about Hellmuth Matiasek](https://portal.dnb.de/opac.htm?method=simpleSearch&cqlMode=true&query=idn%3D123541980) in the [German National Library](/source/German_National_Library) catalogue

- [Matiasek, Hellmuth](https://austria-forum.org/af/AEIOU/Matiasek%2C_Hellmuth) austria-forum.org

- [Hellmuth Matiasek](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0559030/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [Hellmuth Matiasek](https://www.discogs.com/artist/Hellmuth+Matiasek) discography at [Discogs](/source/Discogs)

- [Reiche Mätresse / Statt High-Tech fördert Stuttgarts Ministerpräsident Lothar Späth neuerdings die schönen Künste.](https://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-13522464.html) *[Der Spiegel](/source/Der_Spiegel)* 1987

- [Hellmuth Matiasek](https://www.deutsche-digitale-bibliothek.de/person/gnd/123541980) deutsche-digitale-bibliothek.de

[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [Theater](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Theater)
- [Austria](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Austria)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Hellmuth Matiasek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellmuth_Matiasek) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hellmuth_Matiasek?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.