Opus Theatricum

work by Ayrer

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July 1, 2026

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The Opus Theatricum is a collection of 66 plays by Jakob Ayrer, a German dramatist. Ayrer's work, particularly his Fastnachtsspiele (Shrovetide farces), incorporated elements from Elizabethan plays such as elaborate stage effects and comedic characters. A lawyer by profession, Ayrer was influenced by the English acting troupes touring Germany in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. He wrote over 100 plays, but 66 are preserved in the Opus Theatricum. His Comedia von der schönen Sidea is noted for its similarities to Shakespeare's The Tempest. Ayrer also popularized the Singspiel, a genre of musical play.1

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Jakob Ayrer
…plays are preserved in his Opus Theatricum (1618; “Works of the Theatre”), of which Comedia von der schönen Sidea (c. 1600; “Comedy of the Beautiful Sidea”) is often cited for the affinities it bears to William Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
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…plays are preserved in his Opus Theatricum (1618; “Works of the Theatre”), of which Comedia von der schönen Sidea (c. 1600; “Comedy of the Beautiful Sidea”) is often cited for the affinities it bears to William Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
Read More