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Introduction
If you're interested in sampling culture within the city, there is a wealth of things on offer.Classical Music
Gasteig Munich's rich musical heritage is dominated by the figure of composer Richard Wagner and his successors Richard Strauss and Carl Orff, all of whom were either born here or worked at length in the city. It's little surprise, then, to find that Munich boasts three world-class orchestras: the Münchner Philharmoniker, the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks and the Bayerisches Staatsorchester. The Gasteig Kulturzentrum is home to the Münchner Philharmoniker, but all three can be found giving outstanding classical performances here.Gasteig Rosenheimer Strasse 5 Munich 81667 Munich Germany Tel: (089) 480 980. Web: http://www.gasteig.de Nationaltheater This stately building opened in the early 19th century and was commissioned by the Bavarian king of its day, who wanted to create a venue in the image of the Odéon in Paris. It's been rebuilt twice since, having been destroyed by both fire and war, but it retains a very elegant neoclassical feel in its current form. Located on Franz-Joseph-Platz, it is now the home of the Bavarian State Opera and the Bavarian State Ballet, both of whom perform here throughout the year.Altstadt Max-Joseph-Platz 2 Munich 80539 Munich Germany Tel: (089) 218 501. Web: http://www.bayerische.staatsoper.de/ Theatre Deutsches Theatre If you're looking for some more easygoing, popular entertainment in Munich, then this venue is generally a solid bet with its calendar of internationally admired hit shows and musicals. You can expect global favourites such as Hair, Grease and the like and you may even be lucky enough to see the Bavarian version of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. The theatre itself has been open since the 1890s, so its credentials already well proven.Karlsplatz Schwanthalerstrasse 13 Munich 80336 Munich Germany Tel: (089) 5523 4444. Web: http://www.deutsches-theater.de Neues Residenztheater Built in 1945 on the site of the original Cuvilliés Theater, a historic building where Mozart once premiered his work but one which sadly failed to survive WWII, this new theatre still displays many of the beautifully painted wood carvings saved from the original. Being set within the grand environs of the Residenz (Royal Palace) itself, it still makes a splendid setting in which to enjoy a range of classic and contemporary German works of drama.Altstadt Max-Joseph-Platz 1 Munich 80539 Munich Germany Tel: (089) 218 501. Web: http://www.residenztheater.de Münchner Kammerspiele Münchner Kammerspiele is widely regarded as one of Germany's most important theatres. Contemporary plays and classics from German giants such as Goethe and Brecht, and international playwrights ranging from Shakespeare to Goldoni, are performed here. There are various spaces to pick from, the most prominent of which is the Schauspielhaus on Maximilianstrasse. The main theatre season in Munich lasts from early October to the end of July. Performances here are almost exclusively in German.Altstadt Maximilianstrasse 26-28 Munich 80539 Munich Germany Tel: (089) 2333 7100. Web: http://www.muenchner-kammerspiele.de |
