ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE SCHOUBURG THEATER IN AMSTERDAM

HOLTZHEY, Martin: The Netherlands, 1738, Silver, 49 mm
Obv: Apollo, seated in clouds, crowning Schouburgia, who sits below him, holding a trumpet and baring one breast; below, Putto kneeling amidst books of plays    REBVS IN HVMA NIS LVDIT.
Rev: Bee hive surrounded by arms of the city and its senior magistrates    THEATRO AMSTELAEDAMENS EDENTE LVDOS SECVLARES MDCCXXXVIII
Signed:  M. HOLTSHEY. F.
Ref: KPK 2572; Ver. v. Loon, 125

The Schouburg (Schouwburg) theater was founded in 1638.  In 1738, there was a centenary celebration of its opening, the event commemorated by this medal.  The Italian Baroque composer Antonio Vivaldi, conducted a festival there at that time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Schouburg theater.   Architecturally, this famous Schouburg   theater in Amsterdam is considered to be a transitional building. This theater had a rough semicircle backing the acting platform, not so unlike the stage of the mediaeval mystery plays.  But the Schouburg had openings for vistas and, well forward, provision for a curtain to veil changes.  

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