Positive results at the halfway point of the Dresden Music Festival

The Dresden Music Festival is already drawing a positive balance at the halfway point of its "Liebe" year. According to a press release, 22 - almost two thirds - of the 32 concerts so far have been sold out since May 17, including guest performances by the NHK Symphony Orchestra Tokyo, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra, the dance company Sasha Waltz and actress Martina Gedeck. In addition, the open-air classic "Dresden sings & musiziert" and the hands-on project "Klingende Stadt" attracted thousands of people.

Pop star Ronan Keating, Max Herre & Joy Denalane, actor Lars Eidinger, David Orlowsky and band as well as Janine Jansen and Camerata Salzburg are also expected to perform until June 14. A concert by Berlin Philharmonic Brass with cellist Jan Vogler and a mix of hip-hop and classical music at "Revolta" have also been announced. Richard Wagner's "Siegfried" in historical performance practice with the Festival Orchestra and Concerto Köln under the direction of Kent Nagano will conclude the 2025 edition.

The income is urgently needed, as the renowned festival has not been spared from the public sector's austerity measures. For the 48th edition, the organizers have a budget of five million euros to fall back on. This is significantly less than in previous years - partly because federal funding has not yet been forthcoming following the formation of the new government.