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Dresden Classical Music and Jazz

From: Dresden, Germany

VW Phaeton and Semper Opera House

ABOVE: A VW Phaeton (assembled in Dresden) visits the Semper Opera House.

Classical music

Semper Opera facadeThe Semper Opera House on Theaterplatz is the home of the Saxon State Opera, the Dresden State Orchestra, the Dresden Semperoper Ballet, and the 99-seat Kleine Szene, a studio theatre for the opera company. (Click "English" in the site menu if you don't read German.) It offers performances year-round, and guided tours are available most days.

Light opera and musicals are performed by the Dresden State Operetta, which has its own theatre southeast of the city center.

KulturpalastThe Dresden Philharmonic has its home in the Kulturpalast, a modern concert hall and theatre complex that also stages musicals, cabaret, pop concerts, and other events.

KreuzkircheThe Kreuzkirche (see my article on the Kreuzkirche tower) attracts choral-music fans with the 700-year-old Dresdner Kreuzchor, which performs regularly at concerts and occasionally at church services.

In late May through early June, the Dresden Music Festival puts on a busy schedule of concerts and dance events with world-renowned orchestras and performers.

For more information on classical music in Dresden, see the City of Dresden's English-language Music, Theatre and other Shows page.

Jazz

Dixieland drummerDresden's International Dixieland Festival attracts nearly half a million visitors in May, when "the sound of New Orleans" can be heard in concert halls, in bars, and in clubs. There's even a "Dixie Parade" along the riverfront. Another local mecca for jazz fans is the Jazz Club Neue Tonne, which (like the Dixieland Festival) traces its history back to the GDR era. 

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Dresden travel guide:
Dresden
Sightseeing, tours
Museums, parks
Shopping
Where to stay
Restaurants
Nightlife, gay scene
Classical music, jazz
Transportation
Tourist information

Also see:
More articles about Dresden

Top poto copyright © Volkswagen AG.
1st inset photo copyright © Rolf Weschke.
2nd inset photo copyright © DWT/Christoph Münch.
4th inset photo copyright © Majaros Lazlo.