Wagner and modern dance art: Festspielhaus inspires 2025/26!

Wagner and modern dance art: Festspielhaus inspires 2025/26!

Hellerau, Deutschland - Dresden is excited! The Festspielhaus Dresden-Hellerau came up with an extraordinary program for the 2025/26 season, even though the budget cuts can be felt. The heart of this season will be the performance of "Wagner X Appia X Freyer", which will take place in April 2026 on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Bayreuth Festival House. The director Carena Schlewitt, who now stays until 2028, brings a breath of fresh air to the culture of the house. She has a good hand for innovative projects and will also ensure that the audience is enthusiastic in the coming season.

The opening is particularly exciting with the play "The Cologne Concert", which was staged by choreographer Trajal Harrell and connects music by Keith Jarrett with the melodies by Joni Mitchell. This makes an exciting arc between different music styles and artistic forms of expression.

New and contemporary in the Festspielhaus

In September 2025, the new small hall in the east wing will also be opened, another step to drive the art development in Dresden. Another highlight is expected for art lovers in 2026: the Saxon State Chapel and the Czech Orchestra Berg bring interesting sounds in the field of new music to perform. Philip Glass ’famous opera" Einstein on the Beach "will also be experienced in May 2026 with the charismatic Suzanne Vega and the Ictus Ensemble. These events promise an exciting mix of tradition and modernity.

And there is still the dance platform Germany, which will take place from March 11th to 15th, 2026 in the Hellerau and other Dresden institutions. Here the best productions of the contemporary dance from the past two years are presented, carefully selected by an independent jury that includes some of the most respected experts from the dance scene. Particularly important: the productions must have been primarily or premiered in Germany between September 2023 and August 2025. Artists: Inside, until June 30, 2025, have time to submit their work.

Intercultural connections

Another component for cultural networking is the support of cultural workers, also through programs by the Goethe Institute. This promotes young artists in particular: inside in Germany and organizes guest games abroad to establish intercultural contacts. The guest performances of international theater and dance ensembles from transformation countries are also intended to contribute to the revitalization of cultural exchange. The initiatives are proof that the culture lives in Dresden and constantly develops.

The coming months and years promise exciting things for all art and cultural fans in Dresden! Whether at the festival, the dance platform or through the other creative offers - there is a lot going on here. Stay tuned and do not miss the diversity that our city has to offer!

Further information can be found here, for example: hellerau.org and goethe.de .