The first theatre in Miskolc was built between 1819 and 1823, the second fully stone theatre in the country (the first one being in Kolozsvár) was premiering with "A tatárok Magyarországban" on 24 August. This structure was destroyed in fire on 19 July 1843. With money from the insurance company and public contributions, construction of a new building has started on 3 September 1847, with a design of József Cassano, but was slowed by the 1848 Revolution and lack of funds. Serious construction speeded up again in the early 1850s, partly with the upcoming visit of Franz Joseph I (the emperor eventually did not take part in the opening ceremony).