Mozart’s most popular opera is a deeply humane story of adventure with heavenly music.

The Magic Flute

Semperoper Dresden

Prince Tamino is being pursued by a wild serpent. At the last minute, he is saved by three mysterious ladies who have been sent by the queen of the night. When the bird catcher Papageno appears and boasts about the heroic deed they punish him. In contrast, they give the prince a portrait of Pamina, the daughter of the queen who is being held captive by the ruler of the temple of the sun, Sarastro. Tamino falls in love with her. The queen appears in person and orders him to rescue Pamina together with Papageno. A magic flute will protect him from any danger whilst a reluctant Papageno is given magic bells. Guided by three young boys, they set off on their way to Sarastro’s temple. Whilst the temple guards tell Tamino that Sarastro is not the evil tyrant that the queen has depicted, Papageno finds Pamino and tries to flee with her. With the help of the chimes, he is able to distract her guard Monostatos although his efforts are scuppered by the appearance of Sarastro. Papageno, Pamina and Tamino have to stay in Sarastro’s kingdom as Sarastro has something greater planned for Tamino: just as he has taken Pamina into his kingdom to protect her from her mother, he plans to get Tamino into his circle of insiders of the sun temple and, in this way, prepare him for future tasks.

Die Zauberflöte / The Magic Flute

What does it feel like when, in an instant, your life is turned upside down? That’s what happens to Christine, the wife of court music director Robert Storch. A misdelivered letter leads her to believe that her husband is betraying her in a most shameful manner. She goes on an emotional rollercoaster ride, and the story seems to be veering towards a tragic end ..

Intermezzo

Jean-Philippe Rameau's ballet opera »Platée« is one of the most unusual music theater works of the 18th century. The comedy, which premiered in 1745, tells the story of the nymph Platée, who believes that every man must fall in love with her immediately. The supreme god Jupiter takes advantage of Platée's need for love: in order to convince his own wife Juno of his loyalty, he stages his absurd marriage to the nymph from the swamp. In »Platée«, Rameau parodies the great French opera and at the same time presents the court society of his time as a collection of unscrupulous opportunists. His music with its onomatopoeic effects, rousing dances and unusual sounds is among the best that this composer has written. In Dresden, where »Platée« can be experienced for the first time, star tenor Rolando Villazón has re-staged the work. The conductor Paul Agnew of the French baroque ensemble "Les Arts Florissants" has appeared on stage as a singer countless times as a platée.

Platée (Platea)

Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute)

Die Zauberflöte

First performed in Dresden in 1924, Richard Strauss’s Intermezzo provides all manner of insights into his turbulent married life.

Ute Selbig

Events

Upcoming events

Aug 30, 2025 - Jul 4, 2026

The Magic Flute · Semperoper Dresden

23 - 30 Apr, 2026

Intermezzo · Semperoper Dresden

Past events

Aug 30, 2025 - Jul 4, 2026

The Magic Flute · Semperoper Dresden

Nov 28, 2024 - Jun 6, 2025

Die Zauberflöte / The Magic Flute · Semperoper Dresden

Future and recently performed repertoire

Erste Dame in Die Zauberflöte by Mozart

Semperoper Dresden

Anna in Intermezzo by Strauss

Semperoper Dresden

First Lady in The Magic Flute by Mozart

Semperoper Dresden

Erste Dame in Die Zauberflöte by Mozart

Semperoper Dresden

Junon in Platée by Rameau

Semperoper Dresden

About

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