This is a fantastic venue for opera and the performing arts. Beautiful architecture, great acoustics, simply stunning. We attended opera Hansel und Gretel, the German language fairy tale about the kids who escaped the witch in the gingerbread house. The music and singing was simply perfect. The venue is fantastic. A word of warning to bargain hunters: the super cheap tickets the Euro 22 will have extreme sight obstructions. On the positive side, at that price, the music is still fantastic and the seats are comfortable. Just don't plan on seeing much of the performers on stage. Refreshment stands are well stocked with Champaign, beer, and cocktails. As a bonus, remember this is Germany! Giant pretzels are served at the opera refreshment stand! Tips for newcomers: (1) Arrive at least 30 minutes early and mill around a bit. (2) Be in your seat 10 minutes before the program starts. (3) Germans are serious about rules and social norms. If you try to take photos or video during the program, expect a random stranger to correct you. Complying with the rules is part of the social contract here! (4) Check your large coat. (5) If you absolutely hate the performance, wait until intermission to leave. Don't be a jerk and leave during the program. read more

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We arrived on foot, but there is a tram that will deliver you near the opera house. Check google to confirm. What a lovely venue! The exterior of the building is old architecture and rounded and just lovely to look at. The interior is a work of art and just so beautiful! The high ceilings, the artwork on the walls and ceilings. We booked tickets for Hansel and Gretel. Patrons were more dressed up. There were jeans but paired with suit jackets. Some tuxedos and cocktail dresses. Our tickets were only 22 euros because the view was obstructed, we were seats 47, 48. Show: The orchestra was fantastic. You can see them in the orchestra pit. The stage was simple projection in some screens and then simple 2D house with the opera singers. The opera singers voices were absolutely fantastic and the orchestra and opera singers complimented each other. Either overplayed the other and it was just a wonderful beautiful performance. The screens above translated in German and English what the opera singers were saying just in case. Some of the translation to English was not 100% accurate, but it was enough to understand and appreciate the story line. Even though we could only see 1% of the opera singers, I just sat back and enjoyed the lovely music and just really appreciated the show. The show is 1 hour and then there was an intermission. We left at the intermission because craning our neck to read the display was hurting our necks. The show is roughly 2 hours long. TIP: Make sure to be in your seat 10 minutes before the start of the show. We got lost and arrived at 10 minute mark, they had already locked the door. Our young lady rushed over to let us in. Snacks: We ordered a beer prior to the start of the show. Limited areas to pour and enjoy your beer. Coatroom: available because it is so hot in the building recommend to check your coat. Cleanliness: above average Bathroom cleanliness: above average, but some are very limited in space. On the floor where your seats are located there are only two stalls and had to wait roughly 10 minutes to get into the bathroom. Men's room was empty and no line. read more

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Gorgeous venue for a performance! Very lush, plush, and ornate. Seats were extremely comfortable and although I could not speak tot he sight-lines we we had first row of the Mezzanine, I did not see people craning their heads to gain a good view I also thought it was extremely inventive and cool that on the front banister and at the backs of every chair, there were air vents to pump in heat or cooling so everyone was awarded their own personal climate control The opera itself was not my taste - they took La Traviata and put an Amy Winehouse spin on it. The story did not follow the original opera and they took numerous liberties with the plot. Even so, the performers' voices were outstanding so I kept my focus there.....sung in Italian with German subtitles Champagne intermission was neatly arranged so patrons could get out & to their glassies with enough time to enjoy the experience without feeling rushed. One final note - you want to dress up for this! Unlike San Francisco where people feel free to come in jeans, Semperoper Dresden patrons were in dresses, gowns and proper gala attire. Suits and tuxes for the gentlemen. Made for a celebratory ambiance and added to the overall experience Would not hesitate to come back! read more

Semperoper Dresden - Performing Arts Near Me - Dresden, SN

Hard to believe no review has been written in English yet on this excellent opera house. This opera house truly is as good as it gets. I came here in October 2015 to see two operas and a chamber music concert as part of their Richard Strauss Tage 2015. The operas were Elektra and Arabella. The opera house is truly exquisite. The building itself is a work of art. What I particularly liked, though, was the acoustics in the opera house. In these two operas, the sound of the singers and orchestra filled the building and totally overwhelmed me. I've never been in another concert hall or opera house where I have quite had the same feeling. The opera house is on the smallish side, which helps a lot, and I don't think any seat is really a bad seat. I had seats in the orchestra section about eight or nine rows back in the center, and they were excellent seats. The quality of the singers, orchestra and productions are world class and top notch. You get a good feeling about seeing two operas by Richard Strauss in the exact same opera house where the composer himself witnessed their premiere. Any true opera lover has to visit this opera house at least once. In addition, Dresden has been beautifully restored and is a gem of a city. It's very walkable and with beautiful architecture and sites. I'm looking forward to my next opportunity to visit the city and see an opera in this outstanding opera house. read more