Opera’s history in Dresden is firmly anchored in the city’s cultural legacy going back to 1667. Opening its doors, its first opera theatre signalled the start of a dynamic period under Hofkapellmeister Johann Adolph Hasse. Quickly rising as a vibrant centre for European opera, Dresden enthralled spectators with its mesmerising performances. In 1817, the Royal Saxon Theatre developed, offering a broad repertory of Italian and later German operas with theatrical plays.

Leading the esteemed German Department was Carl Maria von Weber; major premiere productions including “Rienzi,” “The Flying Dutchman,” and “Tannhäuser” occurred under Richard Wagner’s direction as Hofkapellmeister in 1843. Leading the orchestra in more than 40 world premieres, Ernst von Schuch, the Generalmusikdirektor from 1889 until 1914, performed Richard Strauss’s revered compositions including “Salome,” “Elektra,” and “Der Rosenkavalier.” Up until 1938, Dresden saw five additional operas by Strauss debut. Schuch’s successor, Fritz Busch, broadened the repertory to include modernist works with world debuts by composers including Weill and Hindemith.

Established in 1548, the Staatskapelle Dresden is among the most prominent orchestras worldwide. Renowned conductors and music directors such Karl Böhm, Kurt Sanderling, Herbert Blomstedt, Giuseppe Sinopoli, Bernard Haitink, and Fabio Luisi have overseen it over its remarkable past. Christian Thielemann has been principal conductor since 2012; he will surrender the baton to Daniele Gatti beginning the 2024–25 season.

Under Aaron S. Watkin’s direction since 2006, the Semperoper Ballett has blossomed with a varied repertory ranging from classical story ballets to modern dance. Establishing international standards, Watkin assembled a small group of extraordinary soloists. But at the start of the 2023/24 season Watkin will move to the English National Ballet. As a result, Adi Luick will be the Company Manager and Marcelo Gomes the Artistic Manager for the 2023/24 season, therefore jointly inheriting the responsibility for the Semperoper Ballett. Starting the 2024/25 season, Kinsun Chan will then take over as the new Artistic Director; his first contract runs four seasons until the 2027/28 season.

Fire sadly destroyed the first theatre Gottfried Semper planned in 1841 in 1869. The opera thereafter sought a temporary residence until the rebuilt Semperoper, in its current configuration, was formally opened in 1985 following the destruction wrought by the air strikes of 1945.

Since 2005, Wolfgang Rothe has been the Semperoper Dresden business director. Furthermore, he has been in charge of the Saxon State Theatres, an establishment created by the combined former State Opera and State Theatre since January 2013. Rothe also filled in the acting Semperoper’s Intendant between 2012 and 2018.

Born in Switzerland, Peter Theiler has been Intendant of the Semperoper, guiding its artistic direction since the 2018/19 season. Moreover, Nora Schmid will assume the role of Intendant of the Sächsische Staatsoper Dresden, therefore carrying on the creative tradition starting from the 2024/25 season.