The arrangements were all made in 1788, but not early enough to admit of the opening of the theatre until after the Christmas holidays, namely, on the evening of January 3, 1789. The theatre had been altered and improved. An incendiary fire threatened its destruction the day before, but did not postpone the opening. The opening piece was “Der Baum der Diana” by Vincenzo Martin. It may be thought not very complimentary to the taste of Maximilian that the first season of his National Theatre was opened thus, instead of with one of Gluck’s or Mozart’s masterpieces. It suffices to say that he, in his capacity of Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, had spent a good part of the autumn at Mergentheim and only reached Bonn on his return on the last day of January. Hence he was not responsible for that selection. The season which opened on January 3, 1789, closed on May 23. Within this period the following operas were performed, Beethoven taking part in the performances as a member of the orchestra: “Der Baum der Diana” (_L’Arbore di Diana_), Martin; “Romeo und Julie,” Georg Benda; “Ariadne” (duo-drama by Georg Benda); “Das Mädchen von Frascati” (_La Frascatana_), Paisiello; “Julie,” Desaides; “Die drei Pächter” (_Les trois Fermiers_), Desaides; “Die Entführung aus dem Serail,” Mozart; “Nina,” Dalayrac; “Trofonio’s Zauberhöhle” (_La grotta di Trofonio_), Salieri; “Der eifersüchtige Liebhaber” (_L’Amant jaloux_), Grétry; “Der Schmaus” (_Il Convivo_), Cimarosa; “Der Alchymist,” Schuster; “Das Blendwerk” (_La fausse Magie_), Grétry. The second season began October 13, 1789, and continued until February 23, 1790. On the 24th of February news reached Bonn of the death of Maximilian’s brother, the Emperor Joseph II, and the theatre was closed. The repertory for the season comprised “Don Giovanni,” Mozart (which was given three times); “Die Colonie” (_L’Isola d’Amore_), Sacchini; “Der Barbier von Sevilla” (_Il Barbiere di Siviglia_), Paisiello; “Romeo und Julie,” Georg Benda; “Die Hochzeit des Figaro” (_Le Nozze di Figaro_), Mozart (given four times); “Nina,” Dalayrac; “Die schöne Schusterin,” Umlauf; “Ariadne,” Georg Benda; “Die Pilgrimme von Mecca,” Gluck; “Der König von Venedig” (_Il Re Teodoro_), Paisiello; “Der Alchymist,” Schuster; “Das listige Bauernmädchen” (_La finta Giardiniera_), Paisiello; “Der Doktor und Apotheker,” Dittersdorf. A letter to the “Berliner Annalen des Theaters” mentions three operas which are not in the list of the theatrical calendar and indicates that the theatre was opened soon after receipt of the intelligence of the death of Joseph, and several pieces performed, among them _Il Marchese Tulipano_ by Paisiello. The writer also mentions performances of Anfossi’s (or Sarti’s) _Avaro inamorato_, Pergolese’s _Serva padrona_ and _La Villanella di spirito_, composer unmentioned, by an Italian company headed by Madame Bianchi.