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No matter if you are a lover of classical music or not - to attend a performance at the Semperoper is an unforgettable experience. You will be fascinated by the beauty of the building, the festive atmosphere and the music. Opera in Dresden goes back more than 300 years. More on the current opera house in the "Things To Do" tips - information here is on the actual performances.
Dresden's opera company has been one of the leading for centuries. Every now and then the quality declined a bit, but I am happy that after the wall came down we've seen an improvement. They're back in the first league again. Base for the good quality of the performances are the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, one of the best orchestras worldwide, the excellent opera chorus and a company with very good soloists. Occasionally guest stars are contracted for performances - like in an unforgettable RIGOLETTO production that I attended when Diana Damrau, Juan Diego Florez and Zeljko Lucic appeared (and Georg Zeppenfeld who was member of the company back then!)
Like in almost every other European opera house the trend is to often have new 'modern' productions with IMO odd, often empty staging, ugly costumes, the scenes set in times and places that are not related to the actual opera/libretto. If you're not into this (the Americans call it "Euro trash") then ask at the box office about the production before you purchase your tickets (or ask me). Some very beautiful, traditional productions are still scheduled and I recommend them highly: LOHENGRIN, THE FLYING DUTCHMAN, PARSIFAL, LA BOHEME e.g. and some newer productions are also worth a recommendation: the previously mentioned RIGOLETTO, IL TROVATORE, IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA, PENTHESILEA, HÄNSEL AND GRETEL, ARABELLA, FRAU OHNE SCHATTEN e.g.
As for ballet - all the productions are wonderful. There is not a single one that did not receive huge ovations. The ballet company is fantastic and won several awards.
Getting tickets has become somewhat easier as the prices went up in the last years - locals tend to ignore the crappy new and too modern productions and cancelled abonnements. Better chances for you! Book online through their website or just ask at the box office when in the city - if it's not peak tourist season then tickets are often available until the same day. Btw, a pretty good choice are the standing room tickets that are unfortunately available only after all the other tickets are sold or right prior to the performance. These are high up on the fourth balcony where the acoustics are best. You can see all of the stage and have seats in the back where you can sit down for some minutes if you're not able to stand all the time.
Dress Code: Try to dress a bit upscale. Everyone knows (and accepts) that tourists cannot drag around too much clothing, but Dresdners use to dress up somewhat for opera - unlike in other cities. Students often dress casually, though, and nobody would deny access if you're in jeans.
Updated Nov 13, 2010
Phone: 0351 49 11 705
Website: www.semperoper.de
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Semperoper looks great during the day, especially when you climb up Hausmannsturm in the Schloss of Dresden.
The opera looks even better in the evening and there is a counter inside the building, that will open 1 hour before the performance will start, and they will sell the rest-tickets.
You may as well click on my link below and order your tickets well in advance.
A ticket will of course give you also the opportunity to take pics inside of the Semperoper, BUT it might be the best, NOT to use a flash !!!
Dress Code: In the Semperoper decent clothings are a must, although I am rather certain, nobody will care a lot about jeans, as long as they look decent.
Updated Sep 22, 2010
Address: Dresden - Theaterplatz
Website: http://www.oper-dresden.com/front_content.php?idcat=213
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On a trip to Saxony in winter 2002, we had the pleasure of meeting up with local VTer Antji. She showed us a great little cafe in the student area of the Neustadt. It's a funky place with a tons of atmosphere and great for conversation. The time flew by and I enjoyed having someone else to speak English with too. Thanks Antji!
Dress Code: Even in casual dress the girls looked lovely and it's well known that Saxon women are the finest in all of Germany. Is that because it's closer to Sweden? ;=>
Updated Jan 27, 2008
Address: Louisenstrasse 67
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Dresden has some great pubs and nightclubs and most of the more interesting ones lie in the New Town which is popular with students. There is an eclectic mix of places to eat and drink there. However, on recent trips I've noticed some cool places opening in the Old Town as well. One of my old favorites is the Radeberger Ausschank which is in the Old Town, right on the Elbe River.
Despite all the great places to go I still like just walking around at night the best. The sunsets are spectacular and the buildings are lit to great effect once the sun finally sets. Enjoy them for free.
Dress Code: Dress warm if walking around at night. It gets VERY cold in Dresden due to the high humidity from the Elbe river location.
Updated Jan 26, 2008
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This is another funky little student's pub and I had the pleasure to meet up with VTer Antji again on a spring 2003 trip back to Saxony. This time I picked the place as Doreen had found one in the Neustadt that atypically has Belgian beers on offer. I wouldn't normally drink anything but German beer when there, but I had been in the country for quite a while and wanted something different. It's especially attractive as they cost a fraction of the US price (a Duvel cost only 2.50 Euros).
Dress Code: A handy black bag comes in ....well, handy. ;) Thanks for the Duvel glass, Antji.
Updated Jan 26, 2008
Address: Martin-Luther Strasse 31
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We always try to meet up with VTer Antji when in Dresden since...well, we always have a great time with her. Oddly enough for me I usually let Antji pick the place since she was a student there and seems to know some good places. I would have liked to go back to Bottoms Up in the Neustadt but it was absolutely freezing out and we were coming from the Christmas market to warm up so walking that far was out of the question. Driving after so many gluhweins was even less so. Anyway, this place was new and I guess trendy. It was quite dark so forgive me for not getting a photo. It was also a bit smoky for my tastes but it was warm and the girls enjoyed some very reasonable (2.50 Euros) and evidently nice hot chocolate while I had a Diebels Alt (2.80 Euros for .4 liter). It gave us all a chance to catch up a bit since we generally only see each other once a year. See ya next year, Antji.
Dress Code: Layers in winter. We needed every bit of them at the Christmas market and good to be able to peel them off once inside as it was quite warm.
Written Jan 22, 2008
Address: Weissegasse 2
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Around the Frauenkirche you find some nice little but quite pricy restaurants and bars. A good location for dining or having a cocktail. For party and life music you should better go to "Äußere Neustadt".
Written Jul 28, 2007
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The International Dixieland Festival Dresden is oldest old-time jazz festival of Europe and has been an annual highlight since 1971. This traditional Jazz festival offers a wide rage of Jazz music. It takes place on different location and offers more then just jazz. When the sun is high up a great programm for kids is offered and when the night begins adults can swing their hips.
Updated Jul 28, 2007
Website: http://www.dixieland.de/
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The Harbour Fest is a small but very nice fest at the harbour. One part is a kind of fun fair the other one is for hands-on activities. Form a dragon-boat team and row against others; show your talent in throwing cans (hope that’s the right translation) or archery.
Highlights are life bands in the late afternoon, a theater performance and a giant fireworks Friday and Saturday night.
Written Jul 28, 2007
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Dresdner Stadtfest (Dresden City Fest) takes place once a year around August. Usually it starts Friday afternoon at the Theaterplatz with an opening ceremony by the mayor of the city. Numerous life acts on many stages can be enyoed life and for free! The whole centre is covered by small stalles selling local culinary specialities, handcrafts and stuff you purchace although you will never need.
Updated Jul 28, 2007
Website: http://www.dresden-nightlife.de/
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