Annual topic 2012:
Dresden – Cosmopolitan city of science and art
Art and science are the two factors that have made Dresden great and have given its inhabitants their sense of self-confidence. Visitors to Dresden are immediately aware of the city’s artistic treasures, but it
doesn’t take long before they discover the contribution it has also made to science. This will become even more self-evident as we move into 2012.
Gerhard Richter. ATLAS – Special 80th anniversary exhibition
ATLAS is a key to the work of Gerhard Richter. The name refers to 800 wall panels and 15,000 photographs, newspaper clippings, sketches and designs by the artist. The Gerhard Richter Archive is putting together this diverse collection of items for an exhibition to celebrate the 80th birthday of the artist.
4th February –22nd April 2012 | daily 10am–6pm
Exhibition hall in the Lipsiusbau
60 Years of the Dresden Transport Museum
The first German jet-powered airliner – the ‘152’ – was constructed in Dresden. It has therefore been allocated a generous display area in the new permanent aviation exhibition of the Transport Museum. But the Dresdeners have also acquired a reputation for ingenuity in the design and construction of railway vehicles, automobiles, two-wheelers and boats.
5th May 2012: Opening of new permanent exhibitiong
First Dresden ‘Long Night of Theatre’
Dresden’s theatre landscape comprises 30 venues offering a programme of drama, opera, operetta, dance and cabaret. Each miniperformance lasts 30 minutes, and a shuttle service operates between
the different locations. The evening culminates in a mega party!
12th May 2012 | 6pm–midnight
www.staatsschauspiel-dresden.de
Centenary of the death of Karl May – Special exhibition
Radebeul keeps the memory alive of its most famous resident, Karl May. The annual Karl May Festival and the Karl May Museum will be commemorating the centenary of his death in the form of a memorial
event, a special exhibition and a symposium dealing with the life of the writer.
30th March 2012: Memorial event and opening of special exhibition
18th –20th May 2012: Karl May Festival | Lössnitzgrund
www.karl-may-museum.de | www.karl-may-fest.de
The Sistine Madonna – Raphael’s iconic image turns 500
On the occasion of its 500th anniversary, the Sistine Madonna by Raphael goes on display alongside the most famous masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance in an exhibition that also pays tribute to the
‘solo career’ embarked upon by the two cherubs at the bottom of the Sistine portrait.
26th May–26th August 2012 | Old Masters Gallery
35th Dresden Music Festival
The 2012 festival season is launched under the banner headline ‘Heart of Europe’, a reference to the music that was composed in the triangle of Vienna, Prague and Budapest during the Baroque period. Exactly how the pomp of the Habsburgs combined with the musical traditions of Bohemia, Hungary and Austria will become clear when the great orchestras of these countries perform in Dresden.
15th May–3rd June 2012
10th Dresden ‘Long Night of Science’
Choosing one of the six science routes on offer won’t be easy, but trying to cover them all would simply not be feasible. The various faculties of the TU Dresden, the University of Fine Arts and the University
of Music, together with a number of other institutions, will be showcasing their areas of expertise, and each of these venues will be organising a programme to fill the whole evening.
6th July 2012 | 6pm–1am
140 Years of Dresden Porcelain
Dresden porcelain is manufactured in Freital, its home for the past 140 years. On the occasion of the factory’s forthcoming anniversary, it is bringing out two limited-edition pieces. And of course, there will also be a celebration in the form of an exhibition at Schloss Burgk in Freital and a ‘Porcelain Potpourri’ open day.
8th September 2012: Anniversary celebration and open day
Preview 2013
Bicentenary of the birth of Richard Wagner
The Semper Opera House honours a firm favourite, celebrating the 200th birthday of the composer who developed close ties with the city during his time with the Kreuzchor (Dresden Boys Choir) and as Royal
Court Musician. The Dresden State Orchestra and Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra are working together on a ‘Wagner Year’ in which works he created for Dresden such as the ‘Fliegender Holländer’ (Flying
Dutchman) or gems such as ‘La Vestale’ will feature strongly.
100 Years of the Dresden Schauspielhaus (State Theatre)
It opened one hundred years ago as the ‘Königliches Schauspielhaus’ (Royal Theatre). Within just a few years, it was renamed the Landestheater (Regional Theatre), and more recently it has taken the title of
Staatstheater (State Theatre). Meanwhile, the Staatsschauspiel Dresden is celebrating its 100th season. With an anniversary programme, of course, and a sumptuous ceremony.
13th September 2013: Ceremony (100th season commences 13th September 2012)
www.staatsschauspiel-dresden.de
Reopening of the Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon (Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical Instruments)
The Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physical instruments is testimony to the interest taken in scientific matters by the Saxon Electro - now more than ever since the Salon in the Zwinger has undergone esxtensive restoration. The meticuloously engineered astronomical clock, burning mirror, globes and other exhibits show a level of precision that is astonishing for the era. The Grottensaal (Grotto Hall) in the entrance area was revealed in all its glory only during the renovation work.
Beginning of 2013