To mark Hanukkah, the Free State of Saxony is launching the theme year "Tacheles - Year of Jewish Culture", which will bundle events throughout the state from December 14, 2025 to December 12, 2026. Oper Leipzig is participating with a multifaceted program. Among the engaging mix of discourse and music, one premiere of the next season stands out: the German premiere of "Der Hase mit den Bernsteinaugen". Behind the endearing title of this musical lies the dramatic story of a collection that disappeared in the Holocaust - based on a novel by British author Edmund de Waal with the additional subtitle "The Hidden Legacy of the Ephrussi Family". The premiere is on October 17, 2026 at the Musikalische Komödie Leipzig.
The repertoire includes the popular productions of "The Producers" and "Die Csárdásfürstin" in the Tacheles program, both well-known works by Jewish artists. But few people know that the operetta "Im weißen Rössl" was also banned under National Socialism as a "degenerate" work and was only allowed to be produced as a reduced musical film without the compositions of the Jewish authors. The premiere of a new production will take place in Leipzig on February 28, 2026. A talk evening about clichés on June 25, 2026 and the mobile song recital "Wiegala" will round off Tacheles, in keeping with the motto of the theme year "Jüdisch. Saxon. Mentshlich."
The important publication "Celebrated and forgotten" by musicologist Dr. Allmuth Behrend has already been presented. In a unique research project, she has compiled for the first time 120 biographies of "racially" and politically persecuted artists of the Leipzig Opera 1890-1933. And a special collaboration between Leipzig Opera and the Gewandhaus will take place on March 1, 2026: a concert with Alfred Szendreis' piano songs, his chamber music and excerpts from his opera "The Turquoise Blue Garden" - in memory of this exceptional Leipzig musician who died 50 years ago in exile in America.
Ticket requests can be made online at oper-leipzig.de or via the visitor service of Oper Leipzig Tue - Fri 10:00 to 18:00, Sat 12:00 to 18:00, both at the box office in the opera house and by telephone on + 49 (0)341-12 61 261.
www.oper -leipzig.de
_ _ _ _ _
"The hare with the amber eyes "
Premiere on October 17, 2026 at the Musikalische Komödie Leipzig
Following the acclaimed world premiere in Linz, this musical - based on the book of the same name by Edmund de Waal - will have its German premiere at Musikalische Komödie in the fall of 2026. A very touching, impressive evening of theater!
Further information from March 26, 2026 to the annual press conference 2026/27
"In the White Horse Inn"
Premiere on February 28, 2026 at the Musikalische Komödie
Many of the artists involved in the immediate success of the premiere in 1930 were in danger of death under the Nazi regime and fled into exile, including Erik Charell (libretto), Robert Gilbert (song lyrics), Bruno Granichstaedten (composer), Camilla Spira (Josepha in the premiere), Max Hansen (Leopold in the premiere), Ernst Stern (stage design of the premiere), and also the conductor Adolf Brenner. "Im weißen Rössl" was banned as a "degenerate" work and was only allowed to be produced in 1935 as a reduced musical film without the compositions of the Jewish authors.
Further information online at oper-leipzig.de
"The Csárdás Princess"
December 30 and 31, 2025, February 7 and 8, 2026 at the Musikalische Komödie Leipzig
With his composition "Csárdásfürstin", Emmerich Kálmán finally established himself as one of the greats in the dream factory of operetta. Due to his Jewish origins, however, he was forced to flee from the National Socialists in 1938.
Further information online at oper-leipzig.de
"The Producers"
Performances on June 27 and 28, 2026 at the Musikalische Komödie
The musical by Mel Brooks is not only a parody of Hitler and National Socialism, but also of show business and captivates with bitter humor that pushes the boundaries of good taste. June 28, 2026 also marks the 100th birthday of Mel Brooks, the comedian, actor, director, theater producer and Oscar-winning screenwriter. Mazel Tov!
Further information online at oper-leipzig.de
"Attention! Attention! Cliché!"
Talk format on 25 Jun 2026 in the Venussaal of the Musikalische Komödie
We are surrounded by clichés, whether we work off them, use them, laugh at them or question them. At this discussion evening with live music, we will explore which clichés about Jewish culture can be found in operettas and musicals as part of the "Tacheles" theme year.
Further information online at oper-leipzig.de
"Wiegala"
Jewish song recital of the Leipzig Opera "on tour"
The works in the program provide insights into global political circumstances, but also into private longings and hopes.
personal stories. Bookable for guest performances.
To inquire via Oper Leipzig with an email to service@oper-leipzig.de
Alfred Szendrei on the 50th anniversary of his death
Concert on March 1, 2026 at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig
With musicians from the Gewandhaus Orchestra and the MDR Symphony Orchestra, with the participation of pianist Jan Philip Schulze and the soloist ensemble of the Leipzig Opera! Alfred Szendrei worked from 1918 to 1924 as 1st Kapellmeister at the Leipzig Opera House, where his opera "Der türkisenblaue Garten" was successfully premiered. Subsequently, as founding conductor of the Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir, he was a visionary pioneer of the new medium of radio. Szendrei was forced out of office in 1931 as a Jew of Hungarian descent and emigrated to the USA.
Further information online at tacheles.sachsen.de
"Celebrated and forgotten. Jewish artists and artists persecuted under National Socialism at the Leipzig Opera 1890-1933"
In a unique research project, musicologist Dr. Allmuth Behrendt has followed the traces of often forgotten artists' biographies and turned them into a book published by Hentrich & Hentrich, Berlin.
Further information online at the publisher
The repertoire includes the popular productions of "The Producers" and "Die Csárdásfürstin" in the Tacheles program, both well-known works by Jewish artists. But few people know that the operetta "Im weißen Rössl" was also banned under National Socialism as a "degenerate" work and was only allowed to be produced as a reduced musical film without the compositions of the Jewish authors. The premiere of a new production will take place in Leipzig on February 28, 2026. A talk evening about clichés on June 25, 2026 and the mobile song recital "Wiegala" will round off Tacheles, in keeping with the motto of the theme year "Jüdisch. Saxon. Mentshlich."
The important publication "Celebrated and forgotten" by musicologist Dr. Allmuth Behrend has already been presented. In a unique research project, she has compiled for the first time 120 biographies of "racially" and politically persecuted artists of the Leipzig Opera 1890-1933. And a special collaboration between Leipzig Opera and the Gewandhaus will take place on March 1, 2026: a concert with Alfred Szendreis' piano songs, his chamber music and excerpts from his opera "The Turquoise Blue Garden" - in memory of this exceptional Leipzig musician who died 50 years ago in exile in America.
Ticket requests can be made online at oper-leipzig.de or via the visitor service of Oper Leipzig Tue - Fri 10:00 to 18:00, Sat 12:00 to 18:00, both at the box office in the opera house and by telephone on + 49 (0)341-12 61 261.
www.oper -leipzig.de
_ _ _ _ _
"The hare with the amber eyes "
Premiere on October 17, 2026 at the Musikalische Komödie Leipzig
Following the acclaimed world premiere in Linz, this musical - based on the book of the same name by Edmund de Waal - will have its German premiere at Musikalische Komödie in the fall of 2026. A very touching, impressive evening of theater!
Further information from March 26, 2026 to the annual press conference 2026/27
"In the White Horse Inn"
Premiere on February 28, 2026 at the Musikalische Komödie
Many of the artists involved in the immediate success of the premiere in 1930 were in danger of death under the Nazi regime and fled into exile, including Erik Charell (libretto), Robert Gilbert (song lyrics), Bruno Granichstaedten (composer), Camilla Spira (Josepha in the premiere), Max Hansen (Leopold in the premiere), Ernst Stern (stage design of the premiere), and also the conductor Adolf Brenner. "Im weißen Rössl" was banned as a "degenerate" work and was only allowed to be produced in 1935 as a reduced musical film without the compositions of the Jewish authors.
Further information online at oper-leipzig.de
"The Csárdás Princess"
December 30 and 31, 2025, February 7 and 8, 2026 at the Musikalische Komödie Leipzig
With his composition "Csárdásfürstin", Emmerich Kálmán finally established himself as one of the greats in the dream factory of operetta. Due to his Jewish origins, however, he was forced to flee from the National Socialists in 1938.
Further information online at oper-leipzig.de
"The Producers"
Performances on June 27 and 28, 2026 at the Musikalische Komödie
The musical by Mel Brooks is not only a parody of Hitler and National Socialism, but also of show business and captivates with bitter humor that pushes the boundaries of good taste. June 28, 2026 also marks the 100th birthday of Mel Brooks, the comedian, actor, director, theater producer and Oscar-winning screenwriter. Mazel Tov!
Further information online at oper-leipzig.de
"Attention! Attention! Cliché!"
Talk format on 25 Jun 2026 in the Venussaal of the Musikalische Komödie
We are surrounded by clichés, whether we work off them, use them, laugh at them or question them. At this discussion evening with live music, we will explore which clichés about Jewish culture can be found in operettas and musicals as part of the "Tacheles" theme year.
Further information online at oper-leipzig.de
"Wiegala"
Jewish song recital of the Leipzig Opera "on tour"
The works in the program provide insights into global political circumstances, but also into private longings and hopes.
personal stories. Bookable for guest performances.
To inquire via Oper Leipzig with an email to service@oper-leipzig.de
Alfred Szendrei on the 50th anniversary of his death
Concert on March 1, 2026 at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig
With musicians from the Gewandhaus Orchestra and the MDR Symphony Orchestra, with the participation of pianist Jan Philip Schulze and the soloist ensemble of the Leipzig Opera! Alfred Szendrei worked from 1918 to 1924 as 1st Kapellmeister at the Leipzig Opera House, where his opera "Der türkisenblaue Garten" was successfully premiered. Subsequently, as founding conductor of the Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra and Choir, he was a visionary pioneer of the new medium of radio. Szendrei was forced out of office in 1931 as a Jew of Hungarian descent and emigrated to the USA.
Further information online at tacheles.sachsen.de
"Celebrated and forgotten. Jewish artists and artists persecuted under National Socialism at the Leipzig Opera 1890-1933"
In a unique research project, musicologist Dr. Allmuth Behrendt has followed the traces of often forgotten artists' biographies and turned them into a book published by Hentrich & Hentrich, Berlin.
Further information online at the publisher
