Dresden Semperoper

The opera in Dresden is described as one of the most well-known opera houses worldwide, and as one of the oldest theaters in Germany – the Semper Opera House was named after the designer and architect Gottfried Semper.

The history of the Dresden Semperoper

The opera building is situated on the west side of Theatre Square in front of the Royal Palace. The Semperoper opened its doors to the public in 1841 and was one of the first opera houses where plays of different genres were performed.

Richard Wagner was among the chapel masters of the Semperoper, who put such operas as “Rienzi”, “The Flying Dutchman”, and “Tannhäuser” on the theatre stage.

That is the place where Richard Strauss became famous. The premieres of his operas, such as “Salome”, “Elektra”, “Der Rosenkavalier”, “Arabella” and many others, took place on the stage of Semperoper.

During the bombing of Dresden in 1945, the Opera House was almost destroyed. It took 10 years to restore the theatre building. A grand opening of the rebuilt opera theatre was in February 1985. The restored Semperoper became one of the best in Europe because of its acoustic features and technical stage facilities. The works of German composers such as Richard Wagner, Johann Strauss, and Carl Weber take place in the repertoire of the State Opera of Dresden to these days.

Guided tours around the Opera House

The Semperoper opens its doors to visitors not only to show stage performances. Special guided tours are organized here every day. To join one, you should buy a ticket in a box office or on the website of the Semperoper, where you can choose day and time. The tours take place from Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends. A tour around the theatre lasts approximately 45 minutes. A ticket price for an excursion starts at €9 per person.

Semperoper repertoire for 2020

The Semperoper repertoire 2020 includes the operas “The Magic Flute” By W. A. Mozart, “The Freeshooter” by C. M. von Weber, “The Barber of Seville” by G. Rossini, “Otello” and “Rigoletto” by G. Verdi, and many others. Prices are different: they depend on performance and a place in the auditorium. Usually, the price starts at €12 per person. There are also standing rooms in a gallery where you can get a ticket for €1-€2 or even for free.

How to get there and where to park

Saxon State Opera is located in the historic center of Dresden, on the Theatre Square 2. To get to the Semperoper by tram from the railway station, take tram line 8 or 11 and get off at the stop “Theaterplatz” or “Postplatz”. Tram lines 4, 8, and 9 also go to Theater Square. To the station “Postplatz” you can get by tram 1, 2, 7, 11, and 12.

If you want to drive to the Semperoper, please note that it is not allowed to park near the theatre. There is an underground car park behind the opera house in the Devrientstraße. You can also park your vehicle at the Frauenkirche or the Frauenkirche Neumarkt, or near the Haus am Zwinger.

Where to stay

There are many accommodation options in close vicinity to the Semperoper. The Old Town district has a lot to offer to tourists, so there is a significant amount of apartments and hotels here. HotelFriend can recommend Amedia Plaza Dresden, a four-star hotel situated only 10 minutes from the opera house. The hotel offers various types of stylish rooms with modern amenities. You can even take your pet here with you! Dorint Hotel Dresden is another nice option to stay at. The hotel offers not only comfortable rooms, but also a wide range of services, such as massage, body and facial treatments, beauty procedures, sauna, steam bath, fitness club, and much more.

When planning your vacation with HotelFriend, you always get more for a lower price!