“Do you have corona virus?” A chilling question echoed here in 2020. It was directed at the wife of composer Donghoon Shin. He had come to Dresden to observe the Semperoper. This incident reminds us that history and art are intertwined.
Now, before us stands the magnificent Semperoper. It is more than just an opera house. It is a symbol of Dresden’s resilience. The Semperoper is Germany’s most famous opera house. It houses the Saxon State Orchestra. This orchestra is one of the world’s oldest. It is also one of the best-known orchestras.
Gottfried Semper built the first opera house between 1838 and 1841. This was a grand royal theater. But fire consumed it in 1869. Semper rebuilt it with stylistic flourishes. They came from the High Renaissance and Baroque periods.
However, the Semperoper faced another disaster. Allied air attacks destroyed it in 1945 during World War II. Only the outer walls remained standing. For forty years, it lay in ruins. Dresden residents longed to see it restored. They collected 1.5 million East German marks. Reconstruction began in 1974.
On February 13, 1985, the Semperoper reopened. 200,000 people celebrated its dedication. The first performance was Carl Maria von Weber’s “Der Freischütz”. This marked the beginning of the Semperoper’s third life.
The Semperoper’s exterior was blackened. This was because the restorers reused much of the original material. The interior dazzled with color. Chandeliers illuminated opulent artworks. These artworks depicted antique gods Dionysus and Ariadne.
Acoustics were a key consideration. The original interior design was crucial for achieving the legendary sound quality. Conductor Hans Vonk compared the acoustics to Milan’s Scala. He said the design made listeners feel “engulfed in sound.”
Many great composers have worked here. Richard Wagner served as Kapellmeister for six years. He premiered “Rienzi,” “The Flying Dutchman,” and “Tannhäuser” here. Richard Strauss also had close ties. Nine of his operas premiered at the Semperoper. He called it “An El Dorado for premieres.”
In 1990, after German reunification, a secret was revealed. The Semperoper had been wired to the Stasi. The Stasi was East Germany’s surveillance and security ministry. This is one irony in the Semperoper’s long history.
The Semper Opera Ball takes place every January. It is also closely associated with the Opera House.
As we stand here, we feel the weight of history. We also feel the power of art. The Semperoper has risen from ashes. It stands as a testament to Dresden’s spirit. It continues to inspire and enchant. It is a reminder of the city’s scars. It is a symbol of hope.