King Albert Theater in Bad Elster Opens Its Season

The curtain has risen on the 113th season at the König Albert Theater in Bad Elster. A gala concert on Friday evening also marked the opening of the 26th Chursächsische Festival. The festival runs through October 4 under the theme “Longing & New Beginnings.” The opening concert featured the Euchestra Egrensis—an ensemble comprising members of the Pilsen Philharmonic in the Czech Republic and the Chursächsische Philharmonie from Bad Elster. Under the direction of Florian Merz, the ensemble performed works by Josef Suk, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Jean Sibelius.

The theater season includes about 200 events

The season features around 200 events across all genres, the theater announced. In addition to opera and operetta, the theater offers dance, musicals, symphony concerts, chamber music, as well as plays, cabaret, readings, and variety shows for all age groups. Starting May 6, performances at the Bad Elster Open-Air Theater will also be added to the lineup. Artists and ensembles from about 40 countries will shape the season. Guests include, among others, actor Lars Eidinger, pop stars Suzi Quatro and Chris Norman, and cabaret artist Harald Schmidt.

Program Aims to Inspire People of All Generations

“Our multifaceted cultural program is intended to serve as a lasting source of inspiration for the region and aims to delight people of all generations, from near and far, with inspiring cultural experiences—as an enriching break from everyday life and an invitation to moments of cultural connection,” emphasized General Music Director Merz. He also serves as managing director of Chursächsische Veranstaltungs GmbH. Next year, the Chursächsische Philharmonie will celebrate its 35th anniversary.