Dresden - A Musical Advent Enchantment La Bohème & The Nutcracker or Advent Concert
Dresden casts its spell in Advent with its Baroque backdrop, festive sparkle and grand musical theatre. Experience Puccini's masterpiece "La Bohème" at the Semperoper, a highlight of the operatic repertoire. You also have the choice between Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker" at the Semperoper or the "Advent Concert" with the Residenz Orchester in the Dresden 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 introduce you to the forthcoming performances with fascinating insights. 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 have the choice between two festive highlights: Tchaikovsky's ballet "The Nutcracker" at the Semperoper or the "Advent Concert" with the Dresden Residenz Orchester at 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 winter discoveries: stroll through the festively decorated Striezelmarkt, enjoy Saxon specialities or let the Baroque charm of the old town enchant you. Before the performance, we will welcome you to an aperitif with delicacies from 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
- Journey by Car Rouge coach, 2+1 seating
- Music tour manager from / to Switzerland
- Accommodation in a carefully 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 bohème“ by Henry Murger. Puccini wrote the music during 1895 at his villa in Torre del Lago. Arturo Toscanini conducted the premiere at the Teatro Regio di Torino on 1 February 1896.
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 at the snowy sky. „Eureka“, he suddenly cries. „L’idea vampi in fiamma“. The manuscript goes up in flames. The philosopher Colline comments on the embers. The musician Schaunard throws down a Louis d’or: „Luigi Filippo ai nostri piedi!“ The quartet spins its 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 outside the home. The gentlemen feign indignation and usher him out of the door. That is how one pays a quarter's rent! Off to the „Momus“! Rodolfo stays behind to finish an article for the „Castoro“. The neighbour Mimi appears with an extinguished candle and her keys. She faints. He helps her. She wants to leave again, but both her candle and his go out. She loses her key. He finds it, holding her back as he does so: „Che gelida manina!“ Her name: Mimi. He is enchanted: „O soave fanciulla!“ and kisses her. She confesses: „Io t’amo!“
A turbulent scene in the Latin Quarter. Vendors hawk all manner of wares. Mimi spots a pretty bonnet, „una cuffietta e un bel vezzo di corallo“, while Colline discovers a rare example of „grammatica runica“. Dinner is served at the Café Momus. Colline and Schaunard quote Latin. The children shout „Parpignol!“ At the next table, Musetta and the old Alcindoro have taken their seats. Who is she? Marcello, far from flatteringly: „un uccello sangunario“. She makes a scene and flings her plate down („una puzza di rifritto“). Mimi believes Marcello is in love with Musetta. That was long ago. Colline contents himself with his pipe and Greek texts. Musetta wants to draw attention with a painful foot. Marcello weakens. The waiter brings „il conto“. Musetta demands that both bills be paid, then simply passes hers to her companion and leaves him empty-handed („E dove s’è seduto, ritrovi il suo saluto!). Enter the tattoo („ritirata“) and the „tambur maggiore“. Musetta is carried aloft by Marcello and Colline.
„La Barriera d’Enfer“ on a February morning. Le lattivendole, the milkmaids, are already out and about. Mimi is looking for Marcello. Musetta is giving singing lessons. Mimi does not want to meet the jealous Rodolfo.
There is talk of parting. 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 fling down pen and brush. Schaunard brings four pagnotte. Colline serves up a herring. The gentlemen dance among themselves: 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 remember the happy times of their first meeting. Marcello brings heart drops. Musetta sings „Madonna benedetta“. Schaunard: „E spirata“. Rodolfo's last cry: „Mimi!“