The Munich college for music and theatre is one of the most traditional colleges of the performing arts in Germany and has university status, meaning that it requires the Abitur (A-levels/baccalauréat or equivalent) for admission.
It was founded in 1846 as a private institute; in 1867 King Ludwig II transformed it into the "Royal Bavarian Music School" on Richard Wagner's suggestion. The king financed it privately until 1874, when the college was granted the status of a state institution. In 1892 it was renamed "Royal Academy of the art of music", in 1924 "State Academy of music, Munich music college". After the Odeonsgebäude, home to the college, had been destroyed in 1944, the college moved into 12, Arcisstraße. In 1974 the new Bavarian University Act put all Bavarian music colleges on a par with art colleges.
The college runs courses for all types of instruments as well as singing, for potential music teachers, professional musicians and conductors. Writers, directors and actors get their education at the affiliated Theatre Academy, and in cooperation with the arts departments of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (University of Munich).
