Till Brönner plays at the Semper Opera Ball Dresden

Jazz trumpeter Till Brönner is making his debut with the Sächsische Staatskapelle at this year's Dresden Semperoper Ball. "It's actually the first time," he said. "The genres are more related than they used to be, but it's always special, jazz and classical music; and we have some really nice pieces up our sleeves." Dresden is "now also a matter close to his heart", admitted the musician, who has been a professor at the Carl Maria von Weber University of Music here since 2009. The Semperoper is a wonderful performance venue.

Ball award also for Martina Gedeck

Actress Martina Gedeck already has a relationship with the Semperoper through her role in the opera "Mefistofele". Now she will receive the Choros Award, announced the chairman of the Semper Opera Ball Association, Gerhard Müller. It is already known that the singer Jasmin Delfs and the Dresden music producer and DJ Tino Piontek alias Purple Disco Machine will also receive the ball award.

The presenter duo Stephanie Stumph and Tom Wlaschiha say they are "as excited as they were at the premiere" in 2024. For the 100th anniversary, the actress will wear a dress from the first Opera Ball in 1925, which was donated to the association by the niece of the former owner. "It fits me too." The model, which was made by a tailor at the time, has a simple elegance and is made of salmon-colored silk with a strikingly designed neckline.

For the first time, Palucca students and the Semperoper Ballett

A ball novelty is the cooperation between the Semperoper Ballett and the Dresden Palucca University of Dance and the children's choir of the Saxon State Opera in the program with performances by soprano Golda Schultz from South Africa. Folk music bard Heino will also be coming to the famous opera house and will be a guest on "Ballgeflüster", hosted by Cathy Hummels and Marco Schreyl. The highlight of the ball night is a live concert with Max Giesinger.

Dresden specialty: Semper Opera Ball also outside the doors

Entertainer Wolfgang Lippert will provide the atmosphere at the Semper Open Air Ball, just like last year. Anyone who didn't get tickets for the opera can join in the celebrations and dance for free on Theaterplatz, said ball club boss Müller. "That is a unique selling point of our ball." The area in front of the opera house can accommodate up to 20,000 people - and the events are closely linked to those inside via live broadcasts.

Ball premiere celebrated 100 years ago

An opera ball was first held in the court theater, which was built according to plans by Gottfried Semper between 1871 and 1878, in February 1925. After eleven editions, the tradition was discontinued in 1939. During the GDR era, there were many attempts to revive the baroque festivities around the opera. On July 7, 1989, a "Musenfest" based on Saxon tradition was successfully held, albeit not in the hall. A new edition followed in 2006, 67 years after the last ball in the old Semperoper.