Deutsches Theater München – Silver Hall

Project Overview

LocationMunich, Germany
ClientVisionTwo
Installation PartnerZeiler-Technik GmbH

Opened in 1896, the Deutsches Theater is one of Munich’s most prestigious performance venues. The venue hosts musicals, touring productions, and international guest performances across multiple halls.

The Silver Hall is the last original room remaining, having remained in use since the theatre first opened. Its ornate chandeliers, decorative wall sconces and arched window features define the architectural character of the space, with warm halogen lighting forming an essential part of its atmosphere.

When the time came to replace the ageing halogen lamps, the theatre required a solution that would maintain the authentic appearance of the existing chandeliers with flicker-free dimming, improved energy efficiency and reduced maintenance. All without altering the building’s existing infrastructure.

Solutions Provided

Working with German distributor VisionTwo, GDS supported the theatre with a solution that captures warmth and dimming behaviour of traditional halogen lamps combined with the benefits of modern LED technology. The installation, delivered by Zeiler-Technik GmbH, was completed in just two days and marked the first installation of the new GDS C35 lamp in Germany.

The project involved replacing all E14 lamps across the hall’s chandeliers while enhancing the illumination of the decorative window arches.

In total, the installation included 95 GDS candle lamps across the large central chandelier and 6 smaller wall pieces. In addition, 16 GDS Cygnus luminaires were added to the eight window arches.

All of the luminaires are controlled via a single GDS DriveHub MiniPack, distributing power and control across 6 circuits. Each lamp produces 490 lumens while consuming just 4.2 watts, making them a significant upgrade over conventional 28W halogen bulbs. Specialised optics create a soft, uniform light distribution, and the fade to warm light engine dims from 3000K to 1800K. An immaculate replication of the warm tonal shift of incandescent lighting.

The new lighting system delivers immediate operational benefits. Electricity consumption has been reduced by 85%, while overall brightness has increased by approximately 25%. At the same time, the long lifespan of the LED lamps eliminates the need for frequent bulb replacement.

The result is a sustainable lighting solution that preserves the historic character of the Silver Hall while meeting the demands of modern theatre operation.