Discover, marvel, experience! With fresh artistic impulses for exciting encounters in the world of musical theatre and ballet, the Dresden Opera House kicks off its 2026/27 season. Around 300 performances—including ten opera and ballet premieres—invite audiences over the coming months to explore both the familiar and the new across the venues of the Semperoper Dresden.
Artistic Director Nora Schmid will reveal the diverse programme during the traditional Auftakt! (Kick-off!) event on September 13. Joined by artists of the ensemble and the Sächsische Staatskapelle, she invites the audience on a musical stroll through the upcoming season's repertoire. Also on September 13, visitors are warmly invited to explore the entire opera house and get hands-on during the Open House Day (Tag der offenen Semperoper) from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The October Premieres at a Glance:
October 4 – Un ballo in maschera (Giuseppe Verdi)
The first major highlight of the premiere season features Principal Conductor and Verdi specialist Daniele Gatti at the podium of the Sächsische Staatskapelle. Making her Semperoper directorial debut, Angela Denoke strips away the disguise to reveal the wolf in sheep's clothing in this gripping drama of love, intrigue, and political maneuvering.
October 16 – Die wunderbaren Jahre (Torsten Rasch)
Two weeks later, composer Torsten Rasch returns to his historic birthplace. Director Nora Bussenius stages his profound chamber opera based on prose by GDR dissident Reiner Kunze at Semper Zwei.
October 31 – Different Grounds (Semperoper Ballett)
What would the Semperoper universe be without dance? This new ballet evening brings together three world premieres by choreographers Stephanie Lake, Shahar Binyamini, and Julian Nicosia, presented for the first time by the Semperoper Ballett.