DRESDEN OPERA HOUSE
Posted by Moderator Jeanine Ann at Monday, September 15, 2008 2:15 PM and is filed under Special Entry 
"I Dance With You In The Heavens Tonight"
It is the invitation by Andre Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra at a festive concert in the Semper Opera once again to enchant with a program of waltzes, classical music, opera melodies and highlights famous musicals. It is the splendor of the magnificent Semper Opera House with the exceptional, world-famous star and his orchestra which make it perfect. "I look forward to my debut in the Semper Opera with the festively dressed Dresdner audience", says Andre Rieu. This concert will be recorded and shown in a Eurovision broadcast on ZDF at the end of the year. It will also be released as a DVD.
The Semperoper; a magnificent example of late classic architecture. Built by Gottfried Semper, opened in 1841, rebuilt after the 1869 fire in an operation that took until 1878, destroyed by a 1945 bombardment and then reopened in 1985 in a reconstruction largely based on the original structure. Known world wide as one of the most beautiful opera houses in Europe, its grandiose acoustics are legendary and continue to thrill audiences to this day. The exquisite interior decoration; reconstructed by local artists and artisans based on the available original documents and plans. State of the art technology on stage and in the auditorium, the offices and rehearsal facilities in a modern functional annex.
On the walls in all the various foyers of the Semper Opera there are elaborate decorations and paintings in honor of composers, dramatists and librettists who were well known at the time. Some of them are still well known today, but most have been forgotten.
Before the performance you might get to see this famous stage curtain, which was designed in 1875 by a man named Ferdinand Keller from Darmstadt. The picture in the middle is by a painter named Franz Tippel. It is called Phantasie mit der fackel der Begeisterung, which means "Fantasy with the Torch of Enthusiasm".
Out Of The Ashes...
. . . . . . The Opera House has a turbulent history. After it became a victim of flames in 1869, the house was reconstructed during 1871 - 1978 in High Renaissance style again by Gottfried Semper. However; as you know, at the end of World War II, in 1945, the city of Dresden was heavily destroyed by air raids and the Opera House was badly damaged. In 1977 - 1985 the theatre was scrupulously and to a great extent faithfully reconstructed, considering the requirements of a modern opera house. As one says, regarding the acoustics, the Semper Opera House could even stand the comparison with the Scala at Milan and proudly is presenting a use to capacity of 98%.
The only original feature of the opera house is the front wall, it survived the bombing. It was not completed until 1987. Everything behind the front wall has been redesigned and modernized for the times. It is no wonder that Andre invited all to dance in the heavens with him. The rise from the ashes of this beautiful opera house is a miracle to behold!
Jeanine Ann, this is really Super. I can see all the effort and care you put into this report.
I am excited about a new DVD. And one made at this Beautiful Venue will be fantastic no doubt.
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Thanks Sally. I took a lot of time with this. As I told Shirley a lady from Germany was at this concert but when I saw about the bombing and all the restoration of this beautiful opera house I thought that maybe everyone would be interested in reading about it. Hugs
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Thank you so much Jeanine Ann. The restoration of this magnicent place is truly a miracle, and now there she stands in all her glory. Wouldn't you love to hear a concert or opera in there?
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I would love to have seen Andre's concert there. A MySpace friend was at the concert and that is where I got the idea to find out more about this opera house. Clyde knew a lot about the World War II bombing of Dresden so I found everything fascinating. Hugs
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Thank Jeanine Ann, this is very interesting. It's quite a work of art in itself, imagine being destroyed so many times and then being built again as close to the original design.
It's a very beautiful building, I can see why Dresden is so proud of it and why it's so popular.
I always wonder what André will be coming out with next. He keeps surprising me.
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Wow thats incredible. I would love to go there! i hope that he makes a dvd there! Is he going?
-Jeff
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Hi Jeff, Andre was there in concert on August 22nd of this year. And yes there will be a DVD as I hear. This will also be broadcast on ZDF the end of October I believe. One MySpace friend was at the concert but the rules are no photos during the concerts so she was not able to take photos. Hugs to you
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What a gorgeous building - it is of special interest to me as my daughter-in-law comes from Dresden. Can't wait to see the DVD! I'm looking forward to the Melbourne concert, but the Telstra Dome is a far cry from this venue. Could anyone explain ZDF to me? is it accessible here in Oz? Thanks to you, Trish
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Hi Trish, that is wonderful that your daughter-in-law comes from Dresden. How long did she live there?
ZDF is a German TV station and is not available in the United States and probably not in Australia. You can go there on the internet and do a search for Andre.
http://www.zdf.de/ZDFde/inhalt/0/0,1872,1500000,00.html
Write soon again. Hugs
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Hello, Everzbody !
Yes, too bad Dresden was bombed by the english only for its cultural treasures. There was no industry.
An everlasting shame!
Hermina
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In my opinion, there is no good reason for war. To destroy beauty, to destroy lives, to destroy sanity...no, there is no reason for war.
Destruction in all ways, will always be an everlasting shame!
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Recently seen taped from tv female singer phillipa ? Can ant one help with further inf please .
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Phillipa Giordano, Italian. Spelling of her name is sometimes Filippa.
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Hello George. Her name is actually Filippa Giordano, born in Palermo,Italy. A lot of the "purists" don't like her because she is more of a "crossover" singer, she sings both pop and classical. I would recommend this cd, 11Rosso Amore
1. plaisir d'amour
2. heaven knows
3. il rosso amore
4. lonely heart
5. io aspetto te
6. dove andiamo noi
7. l'alba verra
8. un bel di vedremo
9. coro a bocca chiusa
10. va pensiero
11. la barcarolle
12. ballata per giulietta
13. che luce sei
14. amarti si
15. up to the light
16. il canto della terra
You can find it on Amazon.
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