Start of the Semperoper season in Dresden with 'The Flying Dutchman'

The Semperoper in Dresden has opened the new season with a performance of Richard Wagner's opera "The Flying Dutchman". The work was premiered at the same venue in 1843. In the current production by Florentine Klepper, Michael Volle (Dutchman), Jennifer Holloway (Senta), Georg Zeppenfeld (Daland) and Mary (Christa Mayer) were among the top-class singers on stage. Axel Kober was the musical director. The audience responded with minutes of applause and shouts of bravo.

The new season marks a new beginning for the Saxon State Opera. After a six-year tenure, Artistic Director Peter Theiler has stepped down and handed over the reins to Nora Schmid. Before her time as Artistic Director of Graz Opera, she had already been Chief Dramaturge in Dresden. Christian Thielemann also stepped down as chief conductor of the Staatskapelle Dresden. He will be replaced by the Italian Daniele Gatti. There is also a new ballet director in the form of choreographer Kinsun Chan.

Schmid has announced ten new opera productions and four new ballet pieces for her first season. Musically, she wants to cover a broad spectrum from the Baroque to the present day, from enchanting fairy tales to science fiction operas. She said this at the presentation of the program in March. In addition, 27 repertoire pieces are set to delight the hearts of fans. The first premiere will be Arrigo Boito's "Mefistofele" on September 28.

Schmid greeted the audience in front of the closed curtain at the start of the season. "The opera, ballet and concert-free period is finally over," said the artistic director, inviting the audience to chat in the foyer or on the terraces of the Semperoper after the performance.

Daniele Gatti makes his first appearance as chief conductor of the Staatskapelle Dresden on Saturday. He made his debut with the orchestra 24 years ago. He first appeared with the "Kapelle" - as the orchestra is known in Dresden - in 2000 at the invitation of the then chief conductor Giuseppe Sinopoli. The concert program includes Arnold Schönberg's "Verklärte Nacht" in a version for string orchestra and Gustav Mahler's 1st Symphony. There will be further performances on Sunday and Monday.