Operetta Heaven Holidays from C and H Travel Ltd

  Tailor-made Holidays for lovers of Opera, Operetta and Classical Music


Opera and Operetta in Dresden, Germany

                           Dresden's Old Town on the banks of the Elbe

The German city of Dresden is situated on the banks of the River Elbe, near the Czech border.  Dresden has a long history as the capital and royal residence for the Electors and Kings of Saxony, who for centuries furnished the city with cultural and artistic splendour. The city was known as the Jewel Box, because of its Baroque and Rococo city centre.

Following allied bombing raids in the Second World War much of the city centre was destroyed, but painstaking restoration of many of the most important buildings has been ongoing for more than 60 years.  These include the magnificent Semper Opera House - one of the most beautiful opera houses in the world, the Royal Palace, the Catholic Cathedral and the Dresden Frauenkirche.

Following the unification of Germany in 1990, Dresden regained importance as one of the cultural, educational, political and economic centres of Germany.

Musically, Dresden is unique in being home of the only dedicated Operetta Theatre in Germany.

Holidays and breaks in Dresden are individually tailored to each guest's requirements, simply contact us with your requirements or interests and we will be more than happy to put together some suggested proposals for you, without obligation on your part.

The Semper Opera House

Semper Opera House

The magnificent Semperoper dominates the Theaterplatz on the River Elbe, forming the centrepiece of the historic old city.

The original building opened its doors in 1841, constructed to a design by Gottfried Semper. Following a devastating fire in 1869, the citizens of Dresden immediately set about rebuilding their beloved opera house. This was completed in 1878, also to a design by Semper.   The Semper Opera House has a long history of premieres, including major works by Richard Wagner and Ricard Strauss.

In 1945, during the final months of World War II, the Semperoper was once again razed to the ground. After a second reconstruction was successfully completed in 1985, the reopening of one of Europe’s most beautiful opera houses was celebrated with a performance of Carl Maria von Weber’s opera "Der Freischütz", the last work to be performed prior to the bombing raid that destroyed the earlier building.

The dazzling interiors were painstakingly reconstructed by local craftsmen and artists according to original plans, whilst the stage machinery and technical fittings in the auditorium are state-of-the-art.  Internationally renowned for its brilliant acoustics and incomparable performances, audiences from around the world continue to flock to Dresden to enjoy a unique evening in the Semperoper.

The repertoire for 2016-17 includes Opera, Ballet, Concerts and Galas.   

Please contact us for full details.

The Dresden Operetta Theatre

Located to the south east of the city centre, the Operetta Theatre in Dresden features a year-round programme of Operetta and Musicals.   There are plans to move to a new home in the city centre when restoration is complete.


Please contact us for details of the current repertoire.

Where to Stay in Dresden

There is an excellent range of accommodation in Dresden ranging from luxury 5 Star hotels in restored Baroque palaces to simpler budget hotels and serviced / non serviced apartments.  We are happy to assist you with booking of accommodation, transfers and excursions for your stay in Dresden.

Top Attractions in Dresden

During your visit to Dresden don't miss the following attractions:

                     Bruhl Terrace                                          Zwinger Palace

     FrauenKirche                     The Royal Palace

  • The Zwinger Palace is a magnificent complex with beautifully sculpted pavilions connected by long galleries.  Today it is the home to several museums. 
  • The Royal Palace of Dresden is a large complex in the centre of the city which includes the Green Vaults housing some of the greatest treasures in Europe. 
  • The Frauenkirche situated in the heart of the city has been recently reconstructed following destruction in the Second World War.
  • The Golden Rider is a spectacular guilded equestrian statue of Augustus, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland.
  • The Brühl Terrace is a magnificent promenade with panoramic views of the River Elbe which is decorated with statues and fountains. 
  • The Catholic Hofkirche built in 1738 in Baroque style as a counterweight to the Protestant Frauenkirche.
  • The Old Masters Picture Gallery has an excellent collection of 15th to 18th Century paintings.  Its most famous artwork is the Sistine Madonna by Raphael. 
  • The Procession of Princes is a 330 foot long mural decorated with ceramic tiles depicting a procession of rulers since 1127.
  • The Theaterplatz is a large square at the historic centre of Dresden.  It is surrounded by a number of magnificent landmarks including the Semper Opera House, the Zwinger Palace and the Hofkirche.
  • The Elbe Valley was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its diverse architecture, including some beautiful palaces, and cultural landscape. 
  • The Military History Museum has a magnificent collection of ceremonial armoury created by master craftsmen and decorated with silver, gold and gems. 
  • Dresden's Town Hall was built in 1905.  The 98 metre high tower has a public viewing platform with great views over the city. 
  • The Kreuzkirche was built in the 18th Century.  The 92 metre high tower is accessible to the public. 
  • The Grosser Garten is a large park close to the city centre originally created in 1676 as a royal hunting ground and opened to the public in 1814.  Don't miss the superb narrow guage railway that runs through the gardens.
  • Neustadt was originally a separate city founded in the 15th Century but is now a district of Dresden with a unique character featuring 18th Centure
    architecture and wide tree lined streets. 
  • The Yenidze is an oriental style building with a large glass dome formerly a tobacco factory built in 1908.  Today it houses many shops. 
  • The Johanneum was originally built as a royal mews.  It was later converted into a museum and is currently home to the Dresden Transport Museum. 
  • The Blue Wonder is a bridge spanning the Elbe dating from 1893 when it was considered a breathtaking technological wonder. 
  • Paddle Steamer Cruises on the River Elbe.  Destinations include Meissen, the ancient capital of the Dukes of Saxony and the location of the discovery of hard-paste porcelain; the Albrechtsburg Castle overlooking the River Elbe; the porcelain factory and museum; the Chinese Rococo Summer Palace at Pillnitz set in a riverside park.

    • To see some of the wonderful locations that can be visited on our holidays, please view our musical slideshow.

    Please contact us for a free brochure and DVD.

    Please visit our Guest Comments page.