Sorbian National Ensemble wants to break new ground

The Sorbian National Ensemble (SNE) is presenting the upcoming season under the motto "New Territories" and wants to turn its stage into a place of artistic diversity and encounters. "In the productions, the ballet, choir and orchestra tell of the richness of Sorbian culture and tradition and embark on a journey on which genres and cultures merge and new horizons become visible," the stage announced.

To kick off the season, "Romanian Nights" on 22 and 23 August at the Schmochtitz Music Festival will present the cultural richness of the Balkan country. This Saturday, the SNE choir and orchestra will join forces with the Queen tribute band MerQury to commemorate the rock musician Freddie Mercury. On 30 August, the rock poet Gerhard "Gundi" Gundermann, who would have turned 70 this year, will be honored in this way.

Two world premieres in one program

One of the highlights of the new season is the music theatre production "Neuland", which combines two world premieres in one evening from 4 October. Under the overall direction of Tomas Kreibich-Nawka and Maria Chagina, the play "Ptačk architektki" ("The Architect's Bird") - a grotesque by Sorbian poet Róža Domašcyna - will enter into a dialog with the singspiel "Die Fischerin" by Emilie Mayer based on a text by Goethe.

The dance project "Between Us" (premiere: April 29, 2026) will be created by the ballet of the National Ensemble together with the dance company of the Gerhart-Hauptmann-Theater Görlitz-Zittau. A children's program, a family afternoon to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the comic heroes Abrafaxe from the magazine "Mosaik" and a Christmas fairy tale are also planned.

For the "Spreewald Legend Night 2026", the SNE will embark on an odyssey in the play "Müschen impossible" to save the Spreewald with its fairy tales, legends and myths from the plans of a super-rich entrepreneur.