Max-Joseph-Platz 2
80539 Munich
Telephone 089 21 85 28 27
www.bayerische.staatsoper.de

S-Bahn Marienplatz U4/5 Odeonsplatz

The origin of Munich's opera is marked by the courtly pomp of the young Italian "dramma per musica", this new, at first elitist, then more folcloristic form of musical theatre.

The Bavarian state opera contributes to a large extent to Munich's reputation as one of the international culture centres. With its 600.000 guests attending the 350 annual performances (besides opera ballet, concerts and recitals) the use to capacity amounts to 94%. 40 operas from 5 five centuries are being performed within one season. Thus, the repertoire of the Bavarian State Opera is one of the most diverse worldwide.

After a successful first season with Kent Nagano as the new general music and artistic director this year's season came up with seven new productions, among them Tschaikowskys "Eugen Onegin", Verdis "Nabucco" and Richard Strauss' "Ariadne auf Naxos".

Besides the Munich opera festival having been the highlight of Munich's cultural summer in July 2008, the reopening of the renovated Cuvilliés theatre in June was of special interest.