 Prominent conductors that began their careers in Lübeck include Hermann Abendroth, Wilhelm Furtwängler and Christoph von Dohnányi.The Theater was built in 1908 in the Art Nouveau style, on the site of an 18th-century theater on the Beckergrube in Lübeck's Old City.It was designed by Martin Dülfer and construction was funded by local businessman and philanthropist Emil Possehl.