Tivoli

Did the Tivoli in Freiberg always have such a grand name? I bet its early days were far humbler. It all began with Johann Gottlob Schlimpert. He owned a simple tavern outside the Kreuztor gate. The tavern hosted events and concerts, slowly building a reputation. Then, the “Freiberger Anzeiger” newspaper first dubbed it “Tivoli”. The name stuck, eventually evolving to “Restauration Tivoli”. The Tivoli in Freiberg has seen its share of drama. A fire damaged the roof and hall ceiling, leading to extensive renovations. It reopened as the “Concert- und Balletablissement Tivoli”. An extra concert by the city orchestra marked the occasion. In 1912, Max Richardt Frohberg bought the Tivoli for a hefty 180,000 Reichsmark. He owned it until 1928. During his time, the Tivoli staged performances like “Die Schiffbrüchigen”. This marked a turning point, allowing for plays and musicals. The Tivoli even obtained a permit for public dancing twice a week. After Frohberg’s death, his wife, Hilma, and later their son, Curt, took over. Post-World War II, the Tivoli became public property. Curt Frohberg lost his license. The venue briefly housed a Russian officers’ mess. Boxing matches became a popular attraction in the Tivoli. Five or six matches took place annually. The Tivoli eventually returned to Curt Frohberg’s ownership. His departure from East Germany led to the Tivoli again becoming public property. This time, it was under the HO-Gaststätten Freiberg/Sa. The district council transformed it into a cultural center. The renovations stripped away some of its charm. The stucco and chandelier disappeared, but a smaller hall and stage house were added. The legendary East German rock band, the Puhdys, had their first performance at the Tivoli. Their early repertoire included covers of Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and other rock giants. In the 1990s, the Tivoli underwent renovations to its facade, stage, and parquet flooring. The Puhdys celebrated their 25th anniversary by planting an oak tree at the Tivoli. They also recorded their live album “Live Inflagranti” there. Despite financial struggles and an insolvency filing, the Tivoli persevered. Frank H. Asbeck bought and revitalized it in 2002, marking its centennial celebration. The Tivoli Betriebs GmbH became the new operator. The Puhdys further cemented their connection to the Tivoli with a milestone commemorating their 40th anniversary and a song titled “Im Tivoli”. Their final farewell tour included three sold-out concerts at the Tivoli. The book “Auf Lebenszeit – Die Puhdys und Freiberg” chronicles this special relationship. The Tivoli’s financial challenges continued. Ownership changed hands again, with SAXONIA Standortentwicklungs- und Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH taking over. The GSM Gastro-Service-Mittelsachsen GmbH became the new tenant, operating the concert hall and ballroom. Under Martin Höher’s leadership, the Tivoli gained a new corporate identity and underwent technical upgrades. The restaurant, “Vorderhaus im Tivoli”, was also refreshed. Despite the pandemic, the Tivoli adapted. They offered online streaming for events and celebrated their 120th anniversary in 2023. The Tivoli stands today as a testament to its rich and resilient history.