It was July 1777 when Clemens Wenzel of Sachsen, Elector and Archbishop of Trier visited Vienna. He was a relative of Duke Albert of Sachsen-Teschen, Empress Maria Theresias son in law and husband of her favourit daughter Maria Christine. To honour this visist from Trier, the Marionette-Theater of Prince Esterházy offered a spectacle which was much acclaimed by the visitors. For this reason a theater was built and the puppets and decoration were brought to Vienna. „Alceste“ a parody of the original opera, written and composed by Christoph Willibald Gluck, was performed. Following this tradition the \'MARIONETTE-THEATER AT SCHÖNBRUNN PALACE\' was founded by Christine and Werner Hierzer. After a generous renovation of the \'Hofratstrakt\' (court wing) by the Schönbrunner Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H. the theater was reopened in 1994 and formes now the perfect ambiance of these enchanting shows. The rooms with their cosy atmosphere can also be used for special events. The „Marrionette-Theater at Schönbrunn“ is a private Theater, the two founders and art dirctors are looking back on 20 years of international experience in performing with marionettes. In 1995 they set up a training centre for talented marionette-players in Schönbrunn to continue this tradition. With the help of famous directors as well as of costume and screen designers, the puppets, the costumes, the decorations and stage technics are all created at the theaters own workshops. Additional to the permanent installed stage at the Schönbrunn Palace, the theater owns a modern travelling stage which is constructed of aluminium. This stage has an extension of 5,8 meters and a height of 4,2 meters. As the construction and design of this travelling stage is exactly the same as of the permanent one at the palace, there is no lack of qualitiy at the outside-performances. This stage can be installed at any room which can be darkened and is equipped with a podium of minimum hight of 1m and electric power installations. In April 1996 the \'Vienna Tourist Board\' booked the Marionette-Thaeter for a tour through Italy performing the \'Magic Flute\' in Neaples, Rome, Ancona, Florence, Genova and Verona. The marionettes were much acclaimed as \'cultural embassadors\' of Vienna. During spring 1998 the theater had performences together with \'Jeunesse Musical\' troughout some provincial capitals of Austria. Tours through Australia, Great Britain and Sweden are planned. © by Marionettentheater Schloss Schönbrunn 1999