For a long time, Dresden was known as the “Florence of the Elbe”. Destroyed in the final days of the Second World War, it is today one of Germany’s most beautiful cities, with many of its historic monuments restored to their former splendour. This remarkable revival is reflected in its UNESCO World Heritage recognition and in the treasures it preserves, notably the magnificent Zwinger, home to five museums including the renowned Old Masters Picture Gallery. Other highlights include the Albertinum, the splendid Green Vault, the castles of Dresden Royal Palace and Pillnitz Castle, as well as magnificent Baroque churches such as the Hofkirche, the Frauenkirche and the Kreuzkirche. The banks of the Elbe further enhance the city’s unique romantic atmosphere.

A symbol of the city, the Semperoper ranks among the finest opera houses in Germany. The current building is the result of a meticulous and dazzling reconstruction of the nineteenth-century theatre designed by architect Gottfried Semper. The house gained international renown through the premieres of operas by Richard Strauss and Richard Wagner.

The Frauenkirche is also a remarkable concert venue, celebrated for both its exceptional acoustics and architectural beauty.

The 2026–2027 season combines great masterpieces with contemporary creations. Among the new productions in the first part of the season are Un Ballo in Maschera by Giuseppe Verdi, staged by Angela Denoke, and Die lustige Witwe (The Merry Widow), the iconic Viennese operetta by Franz Lehár, directed by Dirk Schmeding.

The second part of the season highlights several rarely performed new productions: The Greek Passion by Bohuslav Martinů, staged by Elisabeth Stöppler; Leonora by Ferdinando Paër, presented by Andrea Moses and offering valuable insight into the origins of Fidelio by Ludwig van Beethoven; and Rienzi by Richard Wagner in a production by Eva-Maria Höckmayr.

The season will also feature numerous concerts by the Staatskapelle Dresden.

To mark the 200th anniversary of the death of Ludwig van Beethoven, two major musical events are planned: the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden will present two complete cycles dedicated to the composer’s symphonies.