Dresden Music Festival Closes with Record Results

Enthusiasm for the Vienna Burgtheater’s “Schachnovelle”

Vogler also defended the festival’s expansion into other musical genres and disciplines. “We have once again expanded the spectrum to include high-caliber theater performances,” he said, referring to the guest performance by the Vienna Burgtheater featuring Nils Strunk and his musical play “Schachnovelle.” It can be seen again following a highly acclaimed performance on Saturday evening.

Culture as a driving force for the city of Dresden

According to Vogler, more than 10,000 guests have traveled specifically for the festival from other German states or abroad. Dresden is the perfect festival city—with a compact city center where most venues are within walking distance, good hotels, restaurants, and “world-class museums” where visitors can enjoy art and culture in the morning before the evening concert. 

Murray subsequently said he found it wonderful to be back in Dresden. He was also taken with the Großer Garten Palace, which was destroyed during World War II and has been completely renovated only on the outside. Murray was reminded of Cuba and asked the group who had ever been to the Caribbean island. “It’s beautiful. Really. It’s pretty chaotic there right now. It’s a shame what’s happening there.”

The music festival will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2027

Vogler concluded by looking ahead to next year’s anniversary. It will kick off as early as September with a guest performance by the Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Tugan Sokhiev and featuring violinist Hilary Hahn as soloist. The theme and the participating artists remain a secret for now. The only thing Vogler would reveal is that violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter will be there. Music fans are invited to write down their memories of special moments from the festival in honor of its 50th anniversary.

Copyright 2026, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reserved