The Best Music Venues to Visit in Saxony

Semper Opera, Dresden, is the most famous and best opera house in Germany. It is home to the Sächsische Staatsoper Dresden (Saxon State Opera), the concert hall of the Staatskapelle Dresden (Saxon State Orchestra), and the Semperoper Ballett. Famous musicians and performers from all over the world take the stage at the Semper Opera throughout the year. The facade of the opera house is magnificent. It is mainly a baroque style of architecture with early Renaissance elements and Corinthian-style pillars characteristic of the Greek Classical Revival.

Leipzig has a truly exceptional music heritage. Many legendary musicians lived, worked, and received their training in this city. Leipzig‘s global repute as the hub of world music is owed to a large extent to the Gewandhaus. This beautiful concert hall is home to the famous Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, the history of which can be traced back to 1743. Throughout the year, the orchestra puts up scintillating performances in the Gewandhaus and across the world. The hall is known for its ornate interior and excellent acoustics.

The beautiful Baroque Schloss Moritzburg is a romantic and immensely popular venue for music concerts. It is best known as one of the venues for the Moritzburg Festival, one of the most important chamber music festivals in the world, which takes place over around 16 days every summer. Famous musicians as well as upcoming talents from all over the globe delight thousands of music lovers during this festival with their exceptional, often experimental, music.

Thomaskirche (St. Thomas Church) in Leipzig old town is home to the Thomanerchor, one of the oldest and most famous boys’ choirs in Germany. The choir was founded in 1212 and several famous musicians, including Johann Sebastian Bach, have been a part of it down the centuries. The repertoire of the band consists of music from various eras, ranging from the Renaissance to contemporary times. Visitors from near and far come to this church to experience the magical music of the choir, concerts and organ music.

The stunning Dresden Frauenkirche is not only the most famous architectural and religious landmark of Saxony, but paradise for lovers of church music. Every alternate Sunday, vocal and instrumental soloists, the church choir, and guest musicians host a spellbinding musical performance. Additionally, the cathedral is a venue for solo cantatas, religious concerts, choir music, and instrumental music from various periods. Visitors are also welcome to attend the amazing organ music played at the church during Sunday services, day and evening prayers, and several concerts through the year.

Theater Chemnitz is the ensemble of three main venues: Opernhaus Chemnitz hosts ballets, operas, and music theater, Stadthalle Chemnitz is the home of music concerts, and Schauspielhaus Chemnitz is for plays and puppet theater. The Opernhaus, deemed to be among the most modern in Europe, has witnessed countless famous performances and continues to do so to this day. Stadthalle Chemnitz is home to the Robert-Schumann-Philharmonie orchestra, which puts up exemplary concerts, chamber music shows, ballets, and operas, both at the Stadthalle and the Opernhaus.

Eduard von Winterstein Theatre in the Ore Mountain town of Annaberg-Buchholz has played a crucial part in shaping the musical landscape and culture of Saxony for over 125 years. Every year, from September to May, an excellent program consisting of music concerts and plays is hosted at this theater. In warmer months, performances are held in open air in the nearby Greifenstein area.