Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden plans several tours

In addition to its "home concerts" at the Semperoper, the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden will also be performing in several European music centers as well as in China and South Korea in the coming season. A total of four tours with 30 concerts are planned, with chief conductor Daniele Gatti conducting three of the guest appearances, the orchestra announced.

Musicians on tour even without tails

In Dresden, the "Kapelle" - as it is known locally - will perform 31 symphony concerts and 8 special concerts. It can also be experienced at eight chamber evenings and four so-called performance evenings. 16 concerts are planned for the children's program "Kapelle für Kids". In addition, there are unusual formats such as "Ohne Frack auf Tour", in which members of the Staatskapelle play in pubs in Dresden's trendy Neustadt district.

Staatskapelle continues Mahler cycle

In terms of content, the Staatskapelle would like to continue its cycle with works by Gustav Mahler, among others. Gatti would also like to conduct the Semperoper's two "house gods" - Richard Wagner and Richard Strauss - with his orchestra for the first time. The South Korean composer Unsuk Chin will hold the honorary title of "Capell Compositrice" in the new season, while the French cellist Gautier Capuçon will be the "Capell Virtuoso".

The "Palm Sunday Concert" on the Sunday before Easter 2026 is also set to be a highlight of the concert season. The oratorio "Elijah" by Felix Mendelsohn Bartholdy will be performed by the Staatskapelle for the first time since 1888. The concert to commemorate the destruction of Dresden on February 13 will combine Igor Stravinsky's "Mass" with Anton Bruckner's 9th Symphony.

Honorary conductor Herbert Blomstedt will be a guest again

Guest conductors expected at the Staatskapelle include Finnegan Downie Dear, Tugan Sokhiev, Marie Jacquot, Elim Chan, Nicholas Collon and Andrés Orozco-Estrada. Honorary conductor Herbert Blomstedt and 1st guest conductor Myung-Whun Chung will also be conducting the orchestra. Chung will then tour with the Staatskapelle in his home country of South Korea.