Wilhelmine and Friedrich (Margrave of Bayreuth)
Wilhelmine’s husband was also named Friedrich and he also played flute and took lessons from Joseph Joachim Quantz. They were married in 1731, had a daughter in 1732 and officially became the Margrave and Margarine of Bayreuth in 1735. Wilhelmine’s father-in-law was similar to her father in that he was very frugal, pious and thought music and literature were a waste of time. Friedrich, however, was more like Wilhelmine and they set about making Bayreuth a cultural hub.
One of the first things Friedrich did as Margrave was give the palace to Wilhelmine. She immediately set about renovating and improving what is now know as the Old Palace. Her architectural style became know as Bayreuth Rococo: neither grandiose or overwhelming but finely and delicately designed.
In 1745 Wilhelmine began work on an Opera House. The bell shaped interior could fit up to 500 people. Wood carvings were covered with gold accents and the ceiling elaborately painted. It was completed in 1759 in celebration of her daughter’s wedding. Recently the Opera House was renovated and on June 30, 2012 the Opera House was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Across the street from the Opera House, Wilhelmine built the Schlosskirche or Castle Church from 1753 to 1758. It includes a very distinctive octagonal tower. It has a beautiful interior with pastel blues and pinks with pink marble pillars. Large windows on either side provide lots of natural light. The first service held in the church was on March 26, 1758, Easter Sunday. Wilhelmine died later that year, October 14, 1758. She is buried in a crypt at the back of the church.
In January of 1753 the palace was damaged by a fire. This was when it was decided that a New Palace should be built. Although she planned all the details, Wilhelmine never saw the palace completed. Every room was filled with ornate walls and elaborate ceilings with paintings depicting Roman and Greek myths and legends.
Wilhelmine and Friedrich also founded the Academy of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Their intention was to discover and nurture local talent and then send the brightest students on to Rome and Paris. The Academy is still in existence today, know as the Friedrich-Alexander University.
Wilhelmine remained close to her brother, Frederick the Great, throughout her time in Bayreuth. In exchange for an allowance from him, she sent troops from the area to fight in her brother’s army. Bayreuth was caught in the middle of the ongoing fight between Prussia and Austria over land. Austrian diplomates tried to influence the Margrave to take their side, against Prussia. At one point Wilhelmine met with Maria Theresa, the Austrian ruler, who was Fredrick the Great’s enemy. This caused several years of tension between the siblings but in 1754 they swore loyalty to each other. Wilhelmine continued to act as eyes and ears for her brother until her death.
