Semperoper, Renaissance Revival opera house in Altstadt, Dresden, Germany
Semperoper is an opera house built of sandstone in the center of the old town of Dresden. The structure shows a symmetrical facade with columns, statues of dramatic poets, and a sculpture of Dionysos on a panther above the main entrance.
The house was built in the mid 19th century, burned down in 1869, and was rebuilt a few years later following plans by the same architect. After destruction in 1945 it remained a ruin for four decades until reopening in 1985.
The venue bears the name of its architect and serves as home to the Saxon State Opera and the orchestra. Performances connect musical heritage with contemporary productions, with the space known for its acoustics and the closeness between stage and audience.
The main hall offers 1300 seats across several levels and is wheelchair accessible via elevators and dedicated entrances. The location at Theaterplatz provides easy orientation near the Elbe river and the historic bridge.
The architect lived abroad when he designed the plans for the reconstruction after the 1869 fire and sent them from Switzerland. Today's form largely follows those designs, which he never personally saw implemented.
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