Dresden – A Musical Advent Enchantment La Bohème & The Nutcracker or Advent Concert
In Advent, Dresden casts its spell with a Baroque backdrop, festive splendour and grand musical theatre. Experience Puccini's masterpiece "La Bohème" at the Semperoper, a highlight of operatic literature. You also have the choice between Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker" at the Semperoper or the "Advent Concert" with the Residenz Orchester in Dresden's Zwinger. Cultural enjoyment in a festive atmosphere.
Dates and prices
- 2026
| 17.12. - 20.12.2026 | Do. - So. | from CHF 2'068.- |
Day 1: Switzerland – Dresden
Journey to Dresden. En route, your music expert will give you fascinating insights to prepare you for the performances ahead. Check-in at the hotel right next to the Frauenkirche in the heart of the city. Dinner together in the evening.
Day 2: Dresden & Performances
In the morning, you will discover Dresden's old town with its world-famous sights. An organ recital at the Frauenkirche rounds off the experience atmospherically. The afternoon is at your leisure, for your own discoveries or a little rest. In the evening, you can choose between two festive highlights: Tchaikovsky's ballet "The Nutcracker" at the Semperoper or the "Advent Concert" with the Dresden Residenz Orchester in the Zwinger.
Day 3: Dresden & Opera
In the Residenzschloss, the Green Vault presents the spectacular treasure chamber of Augustus the Strong. In faithfully reconstructed rooms, the splendour of the Baroque unfolds – rich in gold, precious stones and exquisite craftsmanship. A free afternoon for wintry discoveries: stroll through the festively decorated Striezelmarkt, enjoy Saxon specialities or let yourself be enchanted by the Baroque charm of the old town. Before the performance, we will welcome you to an aperitif with delicacies from the kitchen and cellar. You will then attend Giacomo Puccini's famous opera "La Bohème" in the festive Semperoper. Grand opera in a unique setting.
Day 4: Dresden - Switzerland
Return journey to Switzerland.
INCLUDED
- Travel by Car Rouge, 2+1 seating
- Music tour manager from / to Switzerland
- Accommodation in a selected 5* hotel
- 3 x BB (room/breakfast buffet)
- 1 x dinner including drinks
- 1 x opera aperitif with wine and canapés
- Opera ticket, 1st category
- Organ recital at the Frauenkirche
- City tour of Dresden
- Admission to the Historic Green Vault
- Car Rouge audio system
Hotels
The elegant 5* Hotel Townhouse is located in the heart of the city, directly opposite the Frauenkirche.
About the opera
Giacomo Puccini: “La Bohème”
“Che gelida manina” – How icy cold is this little hand!
For the libretto, Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa drew on the novel “Scènes de la vie de bohème” by Henry Murger. Puccini wrote the music for the opera over the course of 1895 in his villa in Torre del Lago. Arturo Toscanini conducted the premiere on 1 February 1896 at the Teatro Regio di Torino.
The settings are “Sous les toits de Paris” and the Café Momus on the Rue Saint Germain-L’Auxerrois on Christmas Eve 1830.
In the ice-cold garret, Marcello is painting his picture “Le passage de la Mer Rouge”. The poet Rodolfo stares into the snowy sky. “Eureka”, he suddenly cries. “L’idea vampi in fiamma”. The manuscript goes up in flames. The philosopher Colline comments on the glowing embers. The musician Schaunard throws down a louis d’or: “Luigi Filippo ai nostri piedi!” The quartet spins fantasies. The landlord Benoit demands the rent. The gentlemen draw him into conversation: “L’altra sera al Mabil l’han colto in peccato d’amor”. He boasts: “Son vecchio ma robusto.” He seeks his entertainment away from home. The gentlemen feign indignation and usher him out of the door. That is how one pays the quarter's rent! Off to the “Momus”! Rodolfo stays behind to finish an article for the “Castoro”. His neighbour Mimi appears with a candle that has gone out and her keys. She faints. He helps her. She wants to leave again, but her candle and his are both extinguished. She loses her key. He finds it and holds her back: “Che gelida manina!” Her name: Mimi. He is enchanted: “O soave fanciulla!” and kisses her. She confesses: “Io t’amo!”
A bustling scene in the Latin Quarter. Vendors are selling all manner of wares. Mimi spies a pretty bonnet, “una cuffietta e un bel vezzo di corallo”, while Colline discovers a rare example of the “grammatica runica”. A meal is served at the Café Momus. Colline and Schaunard quote Latin. The children cry “Parpignol!” At the next table, Musetta and the elderly Alcindoro have taken their seats. Who is she? Marcello, none too flatteringly: “un uccello sangunario”. She makes a scene and throws her plate down (“una puzza di rifritto”). Mimi believes Marcello is in love with Musetta. That was in the past. Colline contents himself with his pipe and Greek texts. Musetta wants to attract attention with a pain in her foot. Marcello weakens. The waiter brings “il conto”. Musetta demands both bills and promptly hands them to her escort, leaving him empty-handed (“E dove s’è seduto, ritrovi il suo saluto!”). A military tattoo (“ritirata”) with the “tambur maggiore” marches in. Musetta is carried aloft by Marcello and Colline.
“La Barriera d’Enfer” on a February morning. Le lattivendole, the milkmaids, are already on their way. Mimi is looking for Marcello. Musetta gives singing lessons. Mimi does not wish to meet the jealous Rodolfo.
There is talk of separation. He confesses to his friend: he loves Mimi, but she is ill. Love alone is not enough to keep her alive. Mimi despairs: “al solitario nido ritorna un’altra volta”. They bid each other farewell while Marcello and Musetta quarrel. He, jealous: “sotto il mio cappello non ci stan certi ornamenti”. Musetta scornfully calls the cuckolded lover a “Pittore da bottega”.
Back in the garret: Marcello and Rodolfo throw down pen and brush. Schaunard brings four pagnotte. Colline serves up a herring. The gentlemen dance together: Gavotta, Menuetto, Pavanella, Quadriglia, Rondo. They fence with fire tongs and pokers. Musetta has found Mimi exhausted in the street. Marcello is to fetch a doctor. Mimi and Rodolfo recall the happy times of their first meeting. Marcello brings heart drops. Musetta sings “Madonna benedetta”. Schaunard: “E spirata”. Rodolfo's final cry: “Mimi!”