Opera by Toshio Hosokawa. Libretto by Hannah Dübgen after the same-titled Nô-play by Zeami.

Conductor: Pablo Heras-Casado

Directior | Choreographer: Sasha Waltz

Set Designer: Thomas Schen, Chiharu Shiota

Costume Designer: Christine Birkle

Light Design: Martin Hauk

Schwester Matsukaze | Soprano: Barbara Hannigan

Schwester Murasame | Mezzosoprano: Charlotte Hellekant

Mönch | Bass: Frode Olsen

Fischer | Bariton: Kai-Uwe Fahnert

FIRST ACT: Scene 1 Madame Larina’s Garden

Madame Larina, Olga and the nurse are finishing the party dresses and gossiping about Tatyana’s coming birthday festivities. Madame Larina speculates on the future. Girls from the neighbourhood arrive and play an old folk game: whoever looks into the mirror will see her beloved.

Lensky, a young poet engaged to Olga, arrives with a friend from St Petersburg. He introduces Onegin, who, bored with the city, has come to see if the country can offer him any distraction. Tatyana, full of youthful and romantic fantasies, falls in love with the elegant stranger, so different from the country people she knows. Onegin on the other hand, sees only a coltish girl who reads too many romantic novels.

Scene 2 Tatyana’s bedroom

Tatyana, her imagination aflame with impetuous first love, dreams of Onegin and writes him a passionate love letter, which she gives to the nurse to deliver.

SECOND ACT: Scene 1 Tatyana’s birthday

The provincial gentry have come out to celebrate Tatyana’s birthday. Onegin finds the company boring. Stifling his yawns, he finds it difficult to be civil; furthermore he is irritated by Tatyana’s letter, which he regards merely as an outburst of adolescent love. In a quiet moment, he seeks out Tatyana and, telling her that he cannot love her, tears up her letter. Instead of awakening pity, Tatyana’s distress merely increases his irritation. Prince Gremin, a distant relative, appears. He is in love with Tatyana, and Madame Larina hopes for a brilliant match; but Tatyana, troubled with her own heart, hardly notices her kind relative. Onegin, in his boredom, decides to provoke Lensky by flirting with Olga, who lightheartedly joins in the teasing. But Lensky takes the matter with passionate seriousness. He challenges Onegin to a duel.

Scene 2 The duel

Tatyana and Olga try to reason with Lensky, but his high romantic ideals have been shattered by the betrayal of his friend and the fickleness of his beloved; he insists that the duel take place. Onegin kills his friend.

THIRD ACT: Scene 1 St Petersburg

Years later, Onegin, having travelled the world in an attempt to escape from his own sense of futility, returns to St Petersburg, where he is received at a ball in the palace of Prince Gremin. Gremin has married, and Onegin is astonished to recognise, in the stately and elegant young princess, Tatyana, the uninteresting little country girl whom he once turned away. The enormity of his mistake and loss engulfs him; his life seems even more aimless and empty.

Scene 2 Tatyana’s boudoir

Onegin has written to Tatyana, revealing his love and asking to see her, but she does not wish to meet him. She pleads in vain with her unsuspecting husband not to leave her alone this evening. Onegin comes and declares his love for her. In spite of her emotional turmoil, Tatyana realises that Onegin’s change of heart has come too late. Before his eyes, she tears up his letter and orders him to leave her forever.

Conductor: René Jacobs
Soprano: Sunhae Im
Mezzo-Soprano: Vivica Genaux
Bass: Marcos Fink

Opera in three acts by the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. The libretto, written in English by the poet W.H. Auden, is based on a series of eighteenth-century engravings by William Hogarth.

The first part of Wagner's famous Ring cycle.

Scene 1
Das Rheingold begins with a 136-bar unmodulating prelude based on the chord of E flat that is meant to represent the eternal unchanging motions of the River Rhine (it is known that Richard Wagner got the tune for the Prelude/Vorspiel of Das Rheingold while being half asleep) and is (Erickson 1975, p.94) the best known drone piece in the concert repetory. The music grows in power, and the curtain rises. At the bottom of the River Rhine, the three Rhinemaidens (Woglinde, Wellgunde, and Flosshilde) play with one another. Alberich, a Nibelung dwarf, appears from a deep chasm and tries to woo them. Struck by his ugliness, the Rhinemaidens mock his advances, and Alberich grows angry. He notices a golden glow coming from a nearby rock, and asks what it is. The Rhinemaidens tell him about the Rhinegold, which their father had told them to guard: one who renounces love can make out of it a magic Ring, which will let its bearer rule the World. They think they have nothing to fear from the lustful dwarf, but Alberich has been embittered by their mockery. Cursing love, he seizes the gold.

Scene 2
Wotan, ruler of the Gods, is asleep on a mountaintop with Fricka, his wife. Fricka awakes and sees a magnificent castle behind them. She wakes Wotan and points out that their new home has been completed. The giants built the castle on behalf of Wotan, and in exchange Wotan has offered them Freia, the goddess of love. Fricka is worried for her sister, but Wotan is confident that they will not have to give Freia away.

Freia enters, terrified, followed by the giants Fasolt and Fafner. Fasolt demands payment for their finished work. He points out that Wotan's rule is sustained by the treaties carved into his Spear, one of which is his contract with the giants. Donner (god of thunder) and Froh (god of spring) arrive to defend their sister, but Wotan stops them: he cannot stop the giants by force and renege on their agreement.

To Wotan's relief, Loge the fire god makes an entrance; Wotan has been placing his hopes on Loge's cunning finding a way out of the bargain. Loge tells them that Alberich the dwarf has stolen the Rheingold, and made a powerful magic Ring out of it. Wotan, Fricka, and the giants all begin to lust after the Ring, and Loge suggests that they can steal it from Alberich. Fafner demands it as payment instead of Freia. The giants depart, taking Freia with them as hostage.

Freia's golden apples had kept the Gods eternally young; with her absence, they begin to age and weaken. In order to win Freia back, Wotan is forced to follow Loge down into the earth, in pursuit of the Ring.

At this point there is an orchestral interlude that "paints" the descent of Loge and Wotan into Nibelheim. One of the most striking features of the interlude is when the orchestra fades out and gives way to 18 tuned anvils (marked in the score with specific pitches), beating out the Nibelung theme to represent the toiling of the enslaved dwarves.

Scene 3
In Nibelheim, Alberich has enslaved the rest of the Nibelung dwarves. He has forced his brother Mime, a skillful smith, to create a magic helmet, the Tarnhelm. Alberich demonstrates the Tarnhelm's power by turning himself invisible, the better to torment his subjects.

Wotan and Loge arrive and happen upon Mime, who tells them about Alberich's forging of the Ring and the misery of the Nibelung under his rule. Alberich returns, driving his slaves to pile up a huge mound of gold. When they have finished, he dismisses them and turns his attention to the two visitors. He boasts to them about his plans to rule the World. Loge tricks him into demonstrating the magic of the Tarnhelm by transforming into a snake, then a toad. The two gods quickly seize him, and bring him up to the surface.

Scene 4
On the mountaintop, Wotan and Loge force Alberich to exchange his wealth for his freedom. They untie his right hand, and he uses the ring to summon his Nibelung slaves, who bring the hoard of gold. After the gold has been delivered, he asks for the return of the Tarnhelm, but Loge says that it is part of his ransom. Finally, Wotan asks him to surrender the Ring. Alberich refuses, but Wotan seizes it from his finger and puts it on his own. Alberich is crushed by his loss, and before he leaves he lays a curse on the Ring: until it returns to him, whoever does not possess it will desire it, and whoever possesses it will receive unhappiness and death.

Fricka, Donner, and Froh arrive and are greeted by Wotan and Loge, who show them the gold that will ransom Freia. Fasolt and Fafner return, carrying Freia. Reluctant to release Freia, Fasolt insists that there must be enough gold to hide her from view. They pile up the gold, and Wotan is forced to relinquish the Tarnhelm to help cover Freia completely. However, Fasolt spots a final crack in the gold, and demands that Wotan yield the Ring. Wotan refuses, and the giants prepare to abduct Freia.

Suddenly, Erda the earth goddess, the world's wisest woman, appears out of the ground. She warns Wotan of impending doom, and urges him to avoid the cursed Ring. Troubled, Wotan surrenders the Ring and sets Freia free. The giants start dividing the treasure, but they argue over the Ring. Fafner clubs Fasolt to death, and leaves with all the loot. Wotan, horrified, realizes that Alberich's curse has terrible power.

At last, the Gods prepare to enter their new home. Donner summons a thunderstorm to clear the air. After the storm has ended, Froh creates a rainbow bridge that stretches to the gate of the castle. Wotan leads them across the bridge to the castle, which he names Valhalla. Fricka asks him about the name, and he replies that its meaning will be revealed.

Loge, who knows that the end of the Gods is coming, does not follow the others into Valhalla; and, far below, the Rhinemaidens mourn the loss of their gold. The curtain falls.

The opera which is based on a text by René Pollesch will be stage directed by Christoph Schlingensief.

Conductor: Daniel Barenboim
Director: Christoph Schlingensief
Set Designer: Thomas Goerge
Costume Designer: Aino Laberenz
Light Designer: Voxi Bärenklau, Olaf Freese
Director's Assistance: Anna-Sophie Mahler
Chorus Master: Eberhard Friedrich

A Modern Legend

Friedrichstadtpalast is unique both in terms of its show programme and its sheer dimensions: With more than 2,800 square meters of performance space, it has the largest theatre stage in the world. The theatre located in Berlin-Mitte at Friedrichstrae 107 was reopened in 1984 and is just 5 minutes by foot from Friedrichstrae station.

With over 550,000 visitors annually, it is the number 1 stage in the state of Berlin. The big hall seats 1,895 visitors and has a main-, side-, fore- and backstage, an ice rink, a water basin and platforms. Of this, 2,200 square meters are the stage itself with a further 700 square meters (including a 225 ton water basin), which can be rolled out as required thanks to the theatres highly complex technical equipment.

Friedrichstadtpalast is internationally famous for its outstanding ballet company of 60 women and men, its very versatile palace orchestra and Germanys only childrens revue. The theatres unmistakable and addictive hallmark is its legendary chorus line. The longest in the world, it features 32 beautiful girls with 64 long legs.

The theatres distinct style remains its instinctive ability to marry traditional show elements with modern aesthetics and state-of-the-art high-tech effects. Huge LED banners create a true firework of lights; computer-controlled valves conjure words and pictures from the waters of a curtain of rain, and over 1,200 spotlights as well as ten giant video projectors and 150 moving lights bathe soloists and the ensemble in a sea of colors. However, it would be best to take a backstage tour of Friedrichstadtpalast where you can look behind the scenes and learn everything about the show-palaces more than 100-year history.

Please exchange Voucher at the Box Office.

Berlin is the Capital city of Germany and the music Capital of continental Europe!

The city has an incredible musical history having played host to many well-known acts, including David Bowie, Brian Eno, Iggy Pop, U2, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Depeche Mode, Marillion, Boney M, Snow Patrol, Kent and Living Things at the legendary Hansa Recording Studios.

In recent times German bands like Rammstein, Wir sind Helden, Sido, Bushido, The Beatsteaks and Seeed have also called Berlin home, as have DJ icons like Paul van Dyk and WestBam.

During the Music Tour of Berlin you will listen to the music, hear the stories and the see the sites related to these artists.

Stung by the criticism of Rattle and Hum, U2 made a calculated change in musical and thematic direction for their seventh studio album, Achtung Baby; the change was one of their most dramatic since The Unforgettable Fire. They began work on Achtung Baby in West Berlin's Hansa Studios in October 1990 with producers Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, seeking inspiration on the eve of German reunification. The sessions instead proved to be difficult, as conflict arose within the group over their musical direction and the quality of their material. While Clayton and Mullen preferred a sound similar to U2's previous work, Bono and Edge were inspired by alternative rock and European dance music and advocated a change. Weeks of slow progress, arguments, and tension subsided when the band rallied around a chord progression The Edge had composed to improvise the song "One".

The Music Tour of Berlin also covers the birth of European techno at the Tresor Club and of course the Love Parade, and punk rock venues like the SO36 in Kreuzberg and the Knaack Club in Prenzlauer Berg.

Tour Info

Times: Departs Sunday @ 12:30pm
Running Time: 3.5 hours

Meeting Point: In front of Hotel Adlon, Unter den Linden 77, 10117, Berlin, Germany

CATS is back!

The World-Famous Musical - back in Hamburg

CATS - December 2010 in the new CATS-Theatre in Hamburg.

CATS is quite simply a phenomenon. With magnificent music composed by the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber, including the poignant hit song "Memory", an imaginative set, inspired choreography and stunning costumes, CATS is a brilliant song and dance spectacular not to be missed as it makes a triumphant return to Singapore.

It is the best-known and best-loved musical the world has ever known, holding the record of the longest-running musical in West End history having played for 21 years.

In addition CATS played 18 years on Broadway and has been presented in over twenty-six countries, in about three hundred cities, in ten languages.

CATS first opened in London in May 1981 to rave reviews and went on to win a record-breaking number of awards worldwide including two Olivier Awards for 'Musical of the Year' and 'Outstanding Achievement of the Year in Musicals' and seven Tony Awards.

Performance Info

Tuesdays 6:30 PM

Wednesdays 6.30 PM

Thursdays 8.00 PM

Sundays 2.00 PM

Sundays 7.00 PM

Fridays 8.00 PM

Saturdays 3.00 PM

Saturdays 8.00 PM

Closed:

Saturday, 01.01.2011 3.00 PM

Saturday, 01.01.2011 8:00 PM

Wednesday, 05.01.2011 6:30 PM

Thursday, 06.01.2011 8:00 PM

Please exchange voucher at the box office for original tickets.

Welcome back! Danny and Sandy in this spectacular new production back in Dusseldorf.

Featuring hit songs “You're The One That I want”, “Hopelessly devoted to you” and “Summer Nights”.

Grease is the Word

Performance Info

Tues, Thurs, Fri and Sat @ 7.30pm

Weds and Sun @ 6.30pm

Sat @ 3pm

Sun @ 2pm

Please exchange this voucher at the box office.

Starting point:
Wilsdruffer Street / Stadtmuseum

Blaues Wunder - Elbschlsser - Pfunds Molkerei - Augustusbrcke - Kathedrale - Residenzschloss - Semperoper

Tour Info

Apr -Oct: Daily 9:30 am - 10:30 am - 11:00 am - 11:30 am - 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Nov - Dec: Daily 10:00 am - 11:00 am - 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Tour in English: Apr-Oct Daily 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm

Running Time: 1hr 30min

Opera in one prologue and three acts by Claudio Monteverdi.

Performed in Italian with German surtitles.

An American opera in two acts by Kurt Weill.

Performed in German with surtitles.

Opera in two acts by Gaetano Donizetti.

In Italian with German surtitles.

Choreographies by George Balanchine, Mats Ek and William Forsythe.

Premiere in the Semperoper on May 20th, 2011

Ballet in three acts.

Choreography by George Balanchine & Alexandra Danilova after Marius Petipa.

Lyric opera in one act by Peter I. Tschaikovsky.

Performed in Russian with German surtitles.

Lyric opera in three acts by Antonín Dvořák.

Performed in Czech with German surtitles.

Opera in two acts by Gioachino Rossini.

Performed in Italian with German surtitles.

Music theatre by Hans Werner Henze, Christian Lehnert and Michael Kerstan.

For singers, actors, mixed little choir and instruments.

Performed in German with German surtitles.

Opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi.

Performed in Italian with German surtitles.

Gabriel von Eisenstein is supposed to go to prison, but the temptations of a boisterous night at the ball are stronger. Masquerades and role swapping full of racy alliances dominate the festival. The night passes quickly and Eisenstein is not able to avoid doing time. But one cell is already occupied: by himself! The staged revenge of an aggrieved bat has taken place, and disgrace rules the day.

See the historical centre of Berlin from a totally different perspective. Compliment your Famous Walk with an integrated one-hour open-top boat cruise on the river Spree. With more bridges than Venice, Berlin's waterways have much to offer.

Enjoy the sight of Berlin's iconic 'Dome' cathedral and the magnificent buildings of Museum Island from the water. We enable you to picture the full splendour of Berlin before the destruction and devastation of WWII and the subsequent tragedy of German partition. Learn how some waterways in this area are impassable due to the continued presence of munitions from WWII. Float by the Friedrichstrasse train station as we recount how the visa processing centre of this Cold War crossing point became known as the 'Palace of Tears'. Further on we see the building from where the East German border guards attempted to hinder escape attempts by operating a hydraulic underwater steel chain net across the Spree.

Further west, the stunning contrast between the historically significant Reichstag and its surrounding modern parliamentary buildings comes into full view. We cruise by the Premier's Office (Kanzleramt), a 300 year-old customs house (Zollstelle) and The House of World Cultures – America's gift to the Germans in 1957. Get a good look at Berlin's brash new glass and steel central railway station and learn how this 1990s building project earned the nickname 'The Knot'. We travel under the recently refurbished red sandstone Moltke bridge, where Soviet troops launched their final onslaught on the Reichstag in April 1945.

Tour Info

Apr 1st – Oct 31st: 10 am daily

Please make your way to the McDonald's opposite the main entrance to Zoo Station. Your guide will be there 15 minutes prior to tour time.

Gives you an excellent insight into the moving history of our impressive capital. Photo stops are included.

Departure: only at Kurfrstendamm 220/corner of Meineke Street.

10:00am with a visit to the GDR-Museum

Important information:

1 visit to the GDR-Museum (if departure is 10:00am)

Duration approx: 3.5 hours.

10 languages available (through headsets)

No tours on Dec. 24

Experience the Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, and visit the Holocaust Memorial.

Comfortable bus with airconditioning

The Stops:
You will see all stops of the City-Circle Tour. In addition the Super Berlin Tour leads you to the following attractions:

* Maerkisches Museum
* Ostbahnhof
* O2-World
* East-Side-Gallery
* Oberbaumbruecke
* Mediaspree City
* Treptow (Treptowers)
* Molecule Man
* Speicherstadt
* Alexanderplatz

Times: 10:00am with a visit to the GDR-Museum
Running Time: 3.5 hours

Please call +49(0)30/88568030 to confirm your pick up time and location.

Departure: only at Kurfrstendamm 220/corner of Meineke Street.

A desirable young woman and two courtiers a love triangle that inevitably will cause problems. Count Almaviva has fallen in love with Rosina, and he has succeeded in winning her heart disguised as the poor student Lindoro. A difficult undertaking, because the girl lives under the jealous eye of her guardian, the quirky Dr. Bartolo. He too would like to marry Rosina; therefore, he is planning to wed her as soon as possible she will have to obey his will, wont she? Count Almaviva is also not exactly idle. Will he with the help of his sly helper, the barber be able to outwit his odd competitor and beat him to marriage?

Tamino, acting on behest of the Queen of the Night, is supposed to free Pamina. The love between Tamino and Pamina is sustained in the realm of Sarastros. Bird catcher Papageno also finds his match here in Papagena. A fairy tale of love conquering everything that separates people from one another. And music that is as rich as life itself.

German opera in two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
by Emanuel Schikaneder

Premiered 3 June 2006
Runs approx. 3 hours

With generous support of the Foundation for Support of the Semper Opera House
A co-production of the Opéra national du Rhin and the Schwetzinger Festspiele

Gabriel von Eisenstein is supposed to go to prison, but the temptations of a boisterous night at the ball are stronger. Masquerades and role swapping full of racy alliances dominate the festival. The night passes quickly and Eisenstein is not able to avoid doing time. But one cell is already occupied: by himself! The staged revenge of an aggrieved bat has taken place, and disgrace rules the day.

With this exclusive packaged hotel deal you will receive ticket(s) to "Hänsel und Gretel" at the Semperoper, and accommodation at the hotel of your choice.

The siblings Hansel and Gretel are sent by their mother to gather berries, and become lost in the forest. After a night in the wild with sandmen, guardian angels and dew fairies, they receive a dubious welcome to the fairy-tale house of the witch. They toss her into the oven. The gingerbread children, who are transformed back into their original human forms, dance through the happy end with Hansel, Gretel and their parents. For many friends of opera, this masterwork was the first formative experience of opera.

Times:

Performance - 3rd Dec @ 7pm
3 night stay from 2nd Dec-4th Dec at the Hilton Hotel

With this exclusive packaged hotel deal you will receive ticket(s) to "Rigoletto" at the Semperoper, and accommodation at the hotel of your choice.

No woman is safe from the Duke of Mantua: he takes what he likes. By force. His jester Rigoletto is known as an assistant who is as imaginative as he is merciless. The courtiers want to get even with him. They have been spying on him, and they now know that he lives together with a beautiful young woman who they assume is his lover. They then kidnap her as fresh meat for the duke and get Rigoletto to help with his eyes bound. He thinks that this is about his neighbours daughter or wife. What the courtiers dont realize: they are kidnapping Rigolettos daughter and are bringing to the duke the beauty whose love he has already gained incognito. Rigoletto screams for revenge and hires a killer. But the body that he receives is not that of the duke.

Times:

Performance - 13th Nov @ 7pm

2 night stay on 12th & 13th Nov at one of the below hotels

• Hilton Hotel
• Hotel Am Terrassenufer

With this exclusive packaged hotel deal you will receive ticket(s) to "Der Barbier von Sevilla" at the Semperoper, and accommodation at the hotel of your choice.

A desirable young woman and two courtiers a love triangle that inevitably will cause problems. Count Almaviva has fallen in love with Rosina, and he has succeeded in winning her heart disguised as the poor student Lindoro. A difficult undertaking, because the girl lives under the jealous eye of her guardian, the quirky Dr. Bartolo. He too would like to marry Rosina; therefore, he is planning to wed her as soon as possible she will have to obey his will, wont she? Count Almaviva is also not exactly idle. Will he with the help of his sly helper, the barber be able to outwit his odd competitor and beat him to marriage?

Times:

Performance - 6th Nov @ 7pm

2 night stay on 5th & 6th Nov at one the below hotels:

• Hilton Hotel
• Hotel Am Terrassenufer

With this exclusive packaged hotel deal you will receive ticket(s) to "Die Zauberflöte" at the Semperoper, and accommodation at the hotel of your choice.

Tamino, acting on behest of the Queen of the Night, is supposed to free Pamina. The love between Tamino and Pamina is sustained in the realm of Sarastros. Bird catcher Papageno also finds his match here in Papagena. A fairy tale of love conquering everything that separates people from one another. And music that is as rich as life itself.

Times:

Performance - 26th Mar @ 7pm

2 night stay on 25th & 26th at one of the below hotels.

• Hilton Hotel
• Hotel Am Terrassenufer

With this exclusive packaged hotel deal you will receive ticket(s) to "La Traviata" at the Semperoper, and accommodation at the hotel of your choice.

The well known tragic love story between the high-class coutesan Violetta and Alfredo, son of a respected Parisian family. With Alfredo the beautiful high-class courtesan Violetta finally finds true love. After a brief spell of happiness enjoyed together Alfredo's father manages, nevertheless, to convince Violetta of the social damage this relationship causes his family. In desperation, she leaves Alfredo and throws herself into the Parisian demimonde with disastrous effects on her health,already ravaged by consumption. Reconciliation comes too late.

Times:

Performance - 25th Sept @ 7pm

2 night stay on 24th & 25th Sept at one of the hotels below:

• Hilton Hotel
• Hotel Am Terrassenufer

With this exclusive packaged hotel deal you will receive ticket(s) to "Die Fledermaus" at the Semperoper, and accommodation at the hotel of your choice.

Actually, Gabriel von Eisenstein is supposed to go to prison, but the temptations of a boisterous night at the ball are stronger. Masquerades and role swapping full of racy alliances dominate the festival. The night passes quickly and Eisenstein is not able to avoid doing time. But one cell is already occupied: by himself! The staged revenge of an aggrieved bat has taken place, and disgrace rules the day.

Times:

Performance - 19th Feb @ 7.30pm

2 night stay on 18th & 19th Feb at one of the below hotels.

• Hilton Hotel
• Hotel Am Terrassenufer

With this exclusive packaged hotel deal you receive ticket(s) to "Phantasialand" and accommodation at the Ling Bao Hotel or Hotel Matamba.

Phantasialand, Europe's most popular entertainment park, offers, as is its custom, the very best in entertainment for the whole family. All six theme areas in Phantasialand have top attractions, such as Winja's Fear and Winja's Force, the indoor spinning coasters in Wuze Town, the Colorado Adventure ghost train roller coaster in Silver City, the 65-meter-high Mystery Castle freefall tower and the River Quest rafting ride, Feng Ju Palace, the mystifying madhouse in China Town, and the Galaxy flight simulator in Old Berlin.

Those who prefer less commotion can relax on peaceful rides such as the Waltzing Dream and the Steam Carousel, enjoy culinary treats in one of the park's many theme restaurants or delight in the merry antics of the Living Characters in their colorful costumes and take in the fantastic shows, in particular the Arachnomé Winter Garden Show. Like its predecessor, "L’ar(c)tistique", "Arachnomé" has been chosen by the IAAPA as one of the best theme park shows in the world.

Winterdream

The Phantasialand winter dream is a real dream!

More winter? Nowhere! Genuine snow, a dreamlike atmosphere and unique novelties are guaranteed! More than a thousand Christmas trees are shining, lights are sparkling and the smell of gingerbread fills the air! Here, a winter dream comes true - for the whole family! For everybody!

Exchange voucher at the box office on arrival.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL children under 7 years of age receive FREE ENTRY during 2010

HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS: Children must be between 1-1.45metres.

A Four hour bus trip to Potsdam, the important historical city near Berlin.

During the tour you can see the old and new city of Potsdam. Enjoy a walk in the magnificent grounds of the Sanssouci palace.

A guided tour of Sanssouci Palace is included.

Important points:

* Sightseeing tour of Potsdam
* Visit to Palace of Sanssouci and Park
* Glienicker bridge
* Dutch quarter
* Nikolai church
* Historical Town Hall
* Old Royal Stables
* Nauen Gate
* New Palais

Tour Info

Departs: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday (until 31.03.2010) from 01.04.2010 also on Wednesday.

The departure times are until 31.03.10:

09:15am from Alexanderplatz and 10:00am from Kurfrstendamm/Meinekestrasse

The departure times are from 01.04.10:

Tue/Wed/Thu 10:00am from Kurfrstendamm/Meinekestrasse

Fri/Sat 13:15pm from Alexanderplatz and 14:00pm from Kurfrstendamm/Meinekestrasse

Sun 09:45am from Alexanderplatz and 10:30am from Kurfrstendamm/Meinekestrasse

Running Time: 4 hours

Please call +49(0)30/88568030 to confirm your pick up time and location.

Departure Point: Alexanderplatz

Experience Berlin from a different perspective while enjoying a boat trip on the river Spree. This sightseeing concept enables you to combine your City-Circle Tour with a boat trip.

Leave the bus at stop number 10 Berliner Dom/Nikolaiviertel and enjoy a one hour boat trip, where you can see such distinctive attractions as the Nikolai quarter, the Berlin Cathedral, the museums island and much more. Afterwards you can continue your tour by bus.

Important information:

Boat departure every 30 minutes.

Last departure time: 2:00 pm.

Guided tour on boat only available in German and English.

Tour Info

Times: Daily @ 10.00am

Please call +49(0)30/88568030 to confirm your pick up time and location.

Departures from Kurfrstendamm and at Alexanderplatz. Boat departure every 30 minutes.

A Ballet in two acts.

Choreography and Staging: Vladimir Malakhov nach Jean Coralli
Music: Friedrich Burgmüller
Sets and Costumes: Jordi Roig
Conductor: Paul Connelly

Is a comic opera in three acts by Richard Strauss to an original German libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal. It is loosely adapted from the novel Les amours du chevalier de Faublas by Louvet de Couvrai and Molière’s comedy Monsieur de Pourceaugnac. It was first performed at the Königliches Opernhaus in Dresden on 26 January 1911 under the direction of Max Reinhardt.

There are many recordings of the opera, and it is regularly performed.

Act 1

The Marschallin's bedroom

Princess Marie Therese von Werdenberg (the Marschallin, the title given to a Field Marshal's wife) and her much younger lover, Count Octavian Rofrano exchange vows of love. To avoid scandal, he hides when a small black boy, Mohammed, brings the Marschallin's breakfast, and then again when loud voices are heard in the antechamber. He returns disguised as a chambermaid, "Mariandel".

The Marschallin's country cousin Baron Ochs has unexpectedly arrived to discuss his engagement to Sophie, the daughter of a wealthy merchant. After boorishly describing his personal pastime of chasing skirts, and demonstrating on the disguised Octavian, he asks the Marschallin which cavalier he should select to deliver the traditional silver engagement rose to Sophie. She recommends Octavian, and when Ochs sees the young count's picture, he notices the similarities in the count's face to the chambermaid "Mariandel's" and assumes that she is Octavian's illegitimate sister. The coarse Ochs propositions "the chambermaid," and, in response, Octavian pretends to be the country maid but leaves the first chance he gets.

The room then fills with supplicants to the Princess. An Italian tenor serenades the Marschallin, while Ochs works out the marriage contract with the Marschallin's notary. Two Italian intriguers, Valzacchi and Annina, try to sell the Princess the latest scandal sheets, and offer their surveillance services to Ochs. Rudely interrupting the tenor's song, Ochs tells the lawyer to demand a dowry from Sophie's family, and leaves, but not before employing the two Italians. Amidst all the activity, the Marschallin remarks to her hairdresser: "My dear Hippolyte, today you have made me look like an old woman."

When all have left, the Marschallin, reminded of her own early marriage by Ochs's young bride, sadly ponders her fleeting youth and the fickleness of men. By the time Octavian returns (in men's clothes), she has realized that one day he will leave her. She tells him so, and despite his fervent vows of love, she knows his love will not last. He is stunned by her mood change and abruptly leaves. She suddenly realizes that she has forgotten to kiss him goodbye, and sends some footmen after him. But it is too late, and he is gone. The Marschallin summons her page to take the silver rose to Octavian to deliver to Sophie. After Mohammed departs, Marie Therese stares pensively into her hand mirror as the curtain falls.

Act 2

The von Faninals' home

Herr von Faninal and Sophie await the arrival of the Rosenkavalier (Knight of the Rose), Octavian. Following tradition, Faninal departs before the Knight appears. Sophie frets over her approaching marriage with a man she has never met as her duenna, Marianne, reports on the approach of Octavian. Octavian arrives with great pomp, dressed all in silver. He presents the silver rose to Sophie in an elaborate ceremony. Immediately, the two young people are attracted to each other and they sing a beautiful duet.

During a chaperoned conversation, Sophie and Octavian begin to fall in love, but Ochs enters with Sophie's father. The Baron speaks familiarly with Octavian (even though they have never met), examines Sophie like chattel and behaves generally like a cad. Ochs's servants begin to chase the maids, sending the household into an uproar. Sophie starts to weep, and Octavian promises to help her. He embraces her, but they are discovered by Ochs's Italian spies, who report to him. Ochs is only amused, considering the much-younger Octavian no threat, but Octavian's temper is raised enough to challenge the bull-headed Baron to a duel. The Baron receives a slight wound in the arm in the fracas and cries bloody murder. As a doctor is sent for, Sophie tells her father she never will marry the Baron, but her father insists she will and threatens to send her to a convent. Octavian is thrown out, and Sophie is sent to her room. As Ochs is left alone on the divan with his wounded arm in a sling, he begins to raise his spirits with a glass of port. Annina enters with a letter for Ochs from "Mariandel" (Octavian) asking to meet him for a tryst. The now recovered and drunk Ochs, in anticipation of his imminent meeting, dances around the stage to one of the opera's many waltzes. He makes a serious mistake: he forgets to tip Annina.

Act 3

A private room in an inn

Valzacchi and Annina have switched alliances, and are now helping Octavian prepare a trap for the Baron. Ochs and "Mariandel" arrive for a private dinner. Ochs tries to seduce the seemingly willing chambermaid, though he is disturbed by her resemblance to Octavian. The guilt-ridden baron catches glimpses of the heads of Octavian's conspirators as they pop out of secret doors. A woman (Annina in disguise) rushes in claiming that Ochs is her husband and the father of her children, all of whom rush in crying "Papa! Papa!" As the confusion grows, Ochs calls for the police.

The police arrive, and to avoid a scandal, Ochs claims that "Mariandel" is his fiancée Sophie. Octavian lets the Police Commissioner in on the trick, and the Officer plays along. Furious for being enmeshed in the scandal, Faninal arrives and sends for Sophie to clear his and his daughter's name. Sophie arrives and asks the Baron to leave her alone. Just as Ochs is completely befuddled and embarrassed, the Marschallin enters. The Princess sends the Police and all the others away, and orders the Baron to leave gracefully, salvaging what is left of his dignity. Ochs finally leaves, pursued by various bill collectors. The Marschallin, Sophie, and Octavian are left alone.

The Marschallin recognizes that the day she so feared has come, as Octavian hesitates between the two women. In the emotional climax of the opera, the Marschallin gracefully releases Octavian, encouraging him to follow his heart and love Sophie. She then withdraws elegantly to the next room to talk with Faninal. As soon as she is gone, Sophie and Octavian run to each other's arms. Faninal and the Marschallin return to find the lovers locked in an embrace. After a few bittersweet glances to her lost lover, the Princess departs with Faninal. Sophie and Octavian follow after another brief but ecstatic love duet, and the opera ends with the Marschallin's little black page, Mohammed, running in to retrieve Sophie's dropped handkerchief, and racing out again after the departing nobility.

Running Time: Approx 3 Hrs

Itinerary

City Segway Tours looks forward to welcoming you on our original, innovative and exciting tour of Berlin. Imagine cruising effortlessly through parks and along sidewalks while receiving a great orientation and exploring Berlins sites! Our tours have very limited size (only max 5 customers per tour guide!) so you can count on an extremely personal and private experience. Dont punish your feet or strain your ears in a giant group join us for an unforgettable Segway tour!

In about 3,5 4 hours on our All-In-One City Segway Tour well show you all the main sights of Berlin, stopping every few hundred meters to soak them in, hear fascinating anecdotes, take pictures, and discuss Berlins history. Your knowledgeable native English-speaking guide will also explain present-day facts and lifestyle facets about Berlin while being available to answer your questions.

Berlin Wall: Stop at the Berlin Wall, wander through Checkpoint Charlie, and stand in the deathstrip under a watchtower. Understand why the Berlin Wall was built, what led to its fall and how Berlin is dealing with its past.

Third Reich: Stand on top of Hitlers bunker and where years earlier the Nazis had their famous book-burning. See the Reichstag and grasp how its fateful burning led to Hitlers rise to power.

Prussian Berlin: Well understand how the mighty Prussians molded Berlin into a European power. Ride through the Brandenburg Gate like many previous armies, over the Museum Island, across the Gendarmenmarkt and much more.

Some of the tour sights include:

- Berlin Wall see one of the last remaining sections still standing
- Brandenburg Gate ride through Germanys most famous monument
- Marienkirche Berlins oldest functioning church
- Red Town Hall city hall of now-unified Berlin
- Marx & Engels Platz monuments still standing of communisms founders in the former East
- Palace of the Republic sight of the former communist East German parliament, now being dismantled
- Hitlers bunker discuss the final days of the Nazis
-Potsdamer Platz the new downtown of Berlin
- Gendarmenmarkt Berlins beautifully quaint square
- Nazi Topography of Terror open-air museum in the former HQ of the Nazi Gestapo and SS
- St. Hedwigs Cathedral
- Unter den Linden Berlins most famous boulevard
- Deathstrip see how East & West Berlin were divided
- Checkpoint Charlie Explore this most famous Cold War landmark and border crossing through the Wall
- Humboldt University
- Museum Island Pergamon Museum, Altes Museum, Bode Museum
- Luftwaffe Ministry intact Nazi air force ministry
- Bebelplatz site of the Nazi book-burning
- Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe Controversial and powerful massive new memorial
- Reichstag beautifully restored parliament house yet site of one of Berlins fi nal WWII battles
- State Opera House

And much, much more!

Inclusions:
Segway, native English-speaking guide, taxes, insurances, and a great time!

Exclusions:
Food and drink at the beer garden break

Child Policy
Participants must be at least 16 years old.

Times: April 1 October 31: Daily at 10am
Running Time: 3,5 - 4 hours

Please make your way to the main entrance of the TV Tower in Alexanderplatz. Take the metro to Alexanderplatz Station. Tours start at the TV Tower entrance with an introduction before grabbing bikes.

BIG MUSICAL BIG COMEDY BIG HAIR!

Its time to let your hair down and dance the night away! HAIRSPRAY, Broadways hit musical comedy is coming to Cologne!

In 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, plump teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show. When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight. She then launches a campaign to integrate the show. Hairspray is a social commentary on the injustices of parts of American society in the 1960s.

The musical's original Broadway production opened on August 15, 2002 and won eight Tony Awards out of thirteen nominations. It played for over 2,500 performances. Hairspray has also enjoyed U.S. national tours and numerous foreign productions and was adapted for a 2007 musical film. The London West End production was nominated for a record-setting eleven Laurence Olivier Awards, winning for Best New Musical and in three other categories.

Performance Info

- Tuesdays @ 8pm
- Wednesdays @ 6.30pm
- Thursdays @ 8pm
- Sundays @ 7pm
- Fridays @ 8pm
- Saturdays @ 3pm
- Sundays @ 2pm
- Saturdays @ 8pm

Please exchange voucher at the box office for original tickets.

Join us for a fascinating day trip with a private bus to Dresden - the royal residence of the Saxon Kings, who established a city of such cultural and artistic splendour it was named The Pearl of the Baroque and is considered one of Germany's most beautiful capitals. The Old City is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage City.

Dresden is also widely known for the devastating and controversial Allied bombing campaign. US and Royal Air Force bombers dropped 3,900 tons of high-explosive and incendiary bombs over 3 days in February 1945, destroying 13 square miles of the city. It caused a firestorm of such intensity many of the estimated 40,000 civilian casualties died of asphyxiation. American Kurt Vonnegut, who was a POW in Dresden during the firebombing, later memorialised the event in his novel Slaughterhouse-Five.

We'll explore the immaculately restored Old Town including the famous Church of Our Lady (Frauenkirche), the Semper Opera House, the 'Balcony of Europe' - once Dresden's defensive rampart on the River Elbe, and the Zwinger medieval fortress - home to the Old Masters Collection featuring works by Raphael, Rembrandt, Rubens and more.

Hear stories of Dresden at the time of August the Strong (who allegedly sired 300 children), on to horrific wartime experiences, the Communist era and also discover the vibrant city of today - enjoy free time to visit the world class museums, relax on the waterfront, or stroll through the flea market.

Tour Info

Times: Year round

* 9 am Wednesday and Sunday from McDonald's opposite the main entrance to Zoo Station

Running Time: 10 Hours

Please make your way to the McDonald's opposite the main entrance to Zoo Station. Your guide will be there 15 minutes prior to tour time.

Insider Tours provides an unparalleled history of the the most defining figure and regime of the 20th Century Hitler and the Third Reich. Our authoritative guides have made this one of the world's most highly regarded tours on the subject mixing integral sites with profound history.

Starting in the heart of west Berlin before the cragged spire of the bombed out Memorial Church, get a full description of: the ferocity of the Allied bombing campaign and the defence of the Nazi Reich Capital; the Cross of Coventry and the Madonna of Stalingrad; where the mammoth flak towers stood; and the experiences of those caught in the onslaught of the Soviet forces

Discover the remains of the 1000 year Reich and see Goering's Air Defence Ministry where the Luftwaffe co-ordinated the Battle of Britain, the site of Goebbels' Propaganda Ministry, and the ruins of Himmler's SS and Gestapo HQs by the "Topography of Terror" exhibit.

Take an imaginary stroll down the North-South axis of "Germania" designed by Albert Speer - from the towering Great Hall to the monumental arch.

Visit the site of Hitler's New Reichs Chancellery, the seat of power of Nazi held Europe, and the exact location of the Fhrer Bunker - we provide a step by step account of Hitler's suicide, the last days spent in the bunker, and the fate of his remains - our information stems from the latest Soviet archives and detailed research.

Up and beyond the average we follow the route of the Soviet attack towards the final battlefield for the Reichstag and stop before the Soviet Memorial flanked with T34 Tanks and Red Army Howitzers.

We describe Post Great War Germany and explain the Nazi's rise to power, Hitler's "Lebensraum" Policy and the path to war and Europe's destruction.

As Berlin became a stage of fire and death Hitler reiterated the original premise of Nazism - total victory or annihilation - we outline the ramifications it held for the new world.

As featured on SBS Australia's documentary: "Dark Tourism";

Tour Info

Year round: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday at 10 am

Running Time: 4 Hours

Please make your way to the McDonald's opposite the main entrance to Zoo Station. Your guide will be there 15 minutes prior to tour time.

"It is our duty to retain proof of this madness to guard against any possibility of its return."

The Senator for Urban Development concerned that the Wall had been almost completely erased from the face of Berlin.

This tour follows the often ghost like trail of the Death-strip and Wall, retracing some of the more intriguing fortifications of its border from Guard Towers to tank traps.

It is designed to serve as a reminder of the Cold War which kept the world in terror for forty years and came to an end not that long ago.

Starting at the infamous Checkpoint Charlie, where the Cold War powers formerly faced off just yards apart, we describe the routines and duties of Border Guards, the Soviet and Allied forces, Stasi and CIA.

Get an extraordinary insight into: what it meant to live in the eastern bloc's most Stalinistic State the former GDR; successful and failed escapes where Border Command sooner followed the orders of 'shoot to kill' than allow the heinous crime of 'flight from the Republic'; how MI6 and the CIA tunneled under the Wall and Soviet Zone and tapped into the Red Army's secret communications; the methods used by the Stasi to guarantee control of east Germany's population, from 'radiation tags' to "Day X" preparations.

Find out who were and what happened to the GDR's leadership the key figures and where they are today.

For a proper historical perspective we look at the plight of former east Germans in present society: from former Stasi agents and every day citizenry through to the remarkable scenario of Germany's, not only first female, but "ossie" (the nick-name for east Germans) Chancellor - what do they miss about the GDR, are things better? From shopping to daily work, before, after and what the future holds.

Features include the monumental Soviet Embassy, "Ghost Stations", former Guard Towers, hidden areas of the Death Strip and espionage points of the CIA and KGB, Stasi surveillance techniques and equipment, locations of both succesful and failed escape attempts, a complete reassembled area of inner and outer fotifications of the state border and more.

"intriguing" - Lonely Planet

Tour Info

April 1st - October 31st: 10 am Monday and Thursday

Running Time: 4 Hours

Please make your way to the McDonald's opposite the main entrance to Zoo Station. Your guide will be there 15 minutes prior to tour time.

Only 20 minutes away from Berlin join us for an adventure through the fairy tale like gardens, lakes and palaces of the Prussian Kings, German Emperors and Soviet Commissars. You won't believe how truly fantastic this really is!

Potsdam is listed as a World Heritage site by the UN and it is no small wonder. Not only is Potsdam incredibly picturesque with many palaces, lakes, manicured gardens, statues and water fountains dotted over hundreds of green acres but it is brimming with an equally fascinating history.

We'll visit the manorial residence of Germany's last Kaiser, Wilhelm II, used by Churchill (to be replaced by Atlee), Truman and Stalin through the Potsdam Conference and describe the conversations that sealed the fate of Cold War Europe for the next half century.

Ride through the Dutch Quarter built up by the infamous "Soldier King", known for the giant men he collected for his showcase military regiments, to the stunning Sancoussi Palace of Frederick the Great and his final resting place (also learn why Hitler hung his portrait in the Fhrer Bunker).

Discover the forbidden town used by the Soviet Secret Service until 1994, the ruins of a KGB jail and the Glienick Bridge used by the CIA and KGB for spy swaps, including that of U2 Spy Plane pilot Gary Powers.

See where the ceremonial handshake between President Paul von Hindenburg and the new Chancellor Adolf Hitler took place on 21 March 1933 in Potsdam's Garnisonkirche (Garrison Church), symbolising a coalition of the military (Reichswehr) and Nazism.

Visit the mammoth New Palace (Neues Palais), (with over 200 rooms and 400 statues), built to celebrate the end of the Seven Years' War, in which Prussia ousted Austria from its centuries-long role as the dominant power in German affairs, the Roman Baths and Chinese Tea House and more.

Did we mention the visit to a fantastic local biergarten midway for a light lunch and a cold refresher? Relax, be fascinated and have a great day out!

This tour is researched and guided mainly by Chris von Zameck - one of the few Federally recognized authorities on Potsdam's Parks and Palaces - in short - with Insider your in the hands of experts!

Duration

* 6.5 hours inc. travel time
* Note: please bring along a train ticket, you'll require an ABC zone ticket (one way is 2.60 or a day pass is 6.30 and a small group ticket for up to 5 people for the day is 15.60).

Tour Info

April 1st - October 31st:
* Sunday at 9:50

Please make your way to the McDonald's opposite the main entrance to Zoo Station. Your guide will be there 15 minutes prior to tour time.

Insider Tours has produced an extraordinary history necessary for a place that played such an integral role in the execution of the Holocaust. Researched and guided mainly by Nigel Dunkley former British Military attach in Berlin and one of the leading military historians world wide.

Built in the Summer of 1936 some 70 years ago Sachsenhausen initially facilitated the removal of "antisocial" elements as Berlin hosted the spectacular Olympics held that year.

More than 200 000 were imprisoned here by the Nazis of which some 50 000 were brutally murdered - as opposed to Auschwitz which served the policy of racial genocide, Sachsenhausen victims were a mix of political opponents and then only later groups defined as racially or biologically inferior - increasingly from the newly occupied territories of Nazi dominated Europe.

"cutting edge" , Sunday Times

We explain why Nazi architects conceived the grounds as the ideal structure for a concentration camp, giving expression to the SS world view of complete subjugation of prisoners to the absolute power of the SS. As the first camp established under Heinrich Himmler find out how Sachsenhausen was used as a training ground of the Holocaust and the realities of life and death there: from starvation, disease, forced labour, or as victims of systematic extermination of the SS and visit the punishment cells, execution grounds and crematorium, Pathology Laboratory and hospital, and the "pit" where victims were thrown into to simply rot.

Learn of the stories of valour such as the British Royal Marine Commandos used to test German army equipment to breaking point who refused to have their will broken, the fate of Stalin's son here, where Hitler's personal prisoner was detained in isolation for 5 years before his execution, and the attempted use of "death marches" to murder remaining survivors before Soviet liberation.

We also detail life and death in Special Camp No. 1/7 as Sachsenhausen was to become under the Soviets. Until its closure in March 1950 another 60 000 were captive here of which 12 000 died of similarly catastrophic conditions of hunger, psychological and physical exhaustion, many were former Nazi functionaries, German POWs and Soviet deserters.

Beyond the norm and rarely noted we find it essential for a responsible and complete tour to what is essentially a place of death to elaborate on the delicate yet fascinating issue of memorialisation in relation to Saschsenhausen and with some comparison to the Jewish Holocaust Memorial.

Duration

*6 hours inc. travel time
*Note if you join us at either the Zoo Station or from Hackescher Markt please bring along a train ticket, you'll require an ABC zone ticket (one way is 2.80 or a day pass is 6.50 and a small group ticket for up to 5 people for the day 16.10).

Tour Info

Year Round:
*10:00 am EVERY DAY except Monday & Wednesday

Running Time: 6 Hours

Please make your way to the McDonald's opposite the main entrance to Zoo Station. Your guide will be there 15 minutes prior to tour time.

PLEASE NOTE: There will be no afternoon tours from November through April

Take our ALL main sites tour and you'll get to stand over the exact location of Hitler's bunker, walk underneath the Brandenburg Gate, visit the government quarter with the Reichstag Parliament, pass through Checkpoint Charlie, touch the Berlin Wall and much more...

Since the return of the Capital to Berlin nothing has stayed the same. What has resulted is the largest construction effort in modern history! Areas that made up the "Death Strip" dividing Berlin now fall in the futuristic city centre - as do the hidden Nazi War Bunkers and the controversial Holocaust Memorial. Berlin truly is a city at the crossroads of a tumultuous past while in the process of forging an optimistic future. As the New Europe gravitates back towards its centre Berlin prepares to play the role of gateway between the east and west - this time as a European metropolis.

We've designed a thorough all encompassing tour which tends to leave people somewhat amazed, this is not your regular tour.

Beginning our adventure in the heart of Cold War west Berlin's showcase of capatalism with the looming bombed out spire of the Memorial Church before us stroll into the history of the Teutonic Knights and Prussian Kings, through the Royal Hunting Grounds and stand before the Victory Column - marking the birth of the German nation and Europe as we know it today.

Then, follow the route of the Soviet attack up to the final battle ground of the Reichstag Parliament - crowned with Norman Foster's glass dome, and by the futuristically charged Government Quarter and Federal Chancellory ... then comes the East!

Pass over the line of the Death Strip, the exact location above Hitler's Bunker, under the Brandenburg Gate, by the Memorial for the Murdered Jews of Europe, through the intersection of Checkpoint Charlie, and finish with an account of the momentous events which led to the fall of the Wall whilst standing amidst the heart of the East German Government Quarter and the New Berlin...

Key features of the Tour

­Nazi legacy - cover the rise and fall of the Third Reich, stand above Hitler's Bunker and by new bunker excavations: - get the final version of events regarding Hitler's suicide and the last days spent in the Bunker - we utilize information of recently released Soviet archives - speculation can now be put to rest.

Cold War - stand by the Berlin Wall, again we access information of newly released Cold War documents verifying why it really went up - you may be surprised by our version of events. Know what it meant to live in the east, why people risked their lives escaping - and the aftermath today...

Checkpoint Charlie - hoisted away June 22 1990, Charlie finally came in from the Cold, (subsequently housed in the Allied Museum), pass through the intersection now home to an emerging business district, yet once the scene of superpower tensions, escape attempts - successful and failed...

Victory Column - unbridled Prussian military arrogance at its best, what the French did to seek revenge... and how to this day it still provokes wariness as one of the city's most impressive and major of landmarks

Brandenburg Gate - follow in the footsteps of Napolean, Bismarck, the German Kaisers, the Nazis and Allied forces as the struggle for European and world power shifted between east and west. Having stood alone in the Death Strip for 28 years, it now symbolizes the rebirth of the re-unified metropolis - Berlin

Potsdamer Platz - returning Berlin as Capital resulted in the largest construction effort to have been undertaken in modern history - with Potsdamer Platz at its core, this represents the future; German technology and corporate ambitions entering a new millennium - there's nowhere quite like it.

Reichstag - riddled with the bullet holes from the last battle in Europe and now crowned with Lord Fosters glass dome - a beacon of kind guiding the course of the new Capital Republic. Throughout the Cold War the West German Parliament congregated here each year symbolically...a gesture that if Germany were re-unified it would once again serve as the parliament, it does now.

Revolution '89 - Stand before the ruins of the Berlin Palace and shell of the GDR's "Palace of the Republik": the gripping story of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the fall of the Wall and unification of Germany. In this area in 1989 hundreds of thousands of East Germans chanted - WE ARE THE PEOPLE, as the Politburo observed with fear and while the international press flooded into Berlin to document one of the greatest events of history in our lifetime - we recount what led to the fateful press conference that sparked the collapse of the Wall and end of the Cold War - get a proper understanding of the amazing events that unified a people, and makes Berlin and Europe the place it is today...

Duration

* 4 hours inc. travel time
* If you join us at the Zoo Station please bring along a train ticket (2,10 one way) or ask your guide for assistance, from Hackescher Markt no train ticket is required as the tour is completely on foot from there.

Tour Info

Apr 1st Oct 31st:
* 10 am & 2.30 pm d­aily

Nov 1st March 30th:
* 10 am daily

Running Time: 4 Hours

Please make your way to the McDonald's opposite the main entrance to Zoo Station. Your guide will be there 15 minutes prior to tour time.

This powerful tour explores Berlin as the capital city of Nazi Germany. We visit the former Jewish quarter, location of Nazi bunkers, an air raid shelter, anti-aircraft installations, war-damaged buildings, Nazi resistance monuments, WWII battlefi elds, and more.

Our Third Reich / Nazi Germay bike tour is our greenest tour with much of the riding through parks. We relaxingly cover about 14km (8 miles) in about 4,5 hours and stop every hundred meters to take in the sites. Although very comprehensive, its not a strenuous tour.

By the end of the tour you will: Understand the circumstances that allowed a maniac like Hitler to achieve power.

Realize both the grim fate that awaited the victims of the Holocaust and grasp what life was like for ordinary citizens.

Draw the connection from the end of World War I to Hitlers rise and consequently his fall to the building of the Berlin Wall.

See the impact the Third Reich and WWII still have on Berlin, specifically by exploring the destroyed remnants of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and Berlins old main train station.

Tour hightlights include:

Seeing where Jewish businesses were destroyed during the infamous Night of Broken Glass, as well as the monumental New Synagogue that survived that fateful night.

Exploring the destroyed remnants of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and Berlins old main train station, both of which stand as grim reminders to the damages of war.

Visiting one of the few remaining air raid shelters, which was topped with anti-aircraft guns and filled way beyond capacity during the Battle of Berlin.

Honoring the resistance movements against the Third Reich at the July 20th 1944 Memorial, soon to be brought to the limelight with Tom Cruises new controversial film Valkyrie.

Regardless if this is your first trip to Berlin or if you already feel like ein Berliner, our bike tours are great ways to see the city and understand what makes Berlin so special.

Here are just some of the many reasons why:

Berlin is almost 9 times the size of Paris yet very flat and bike friendly. Our tours take advantage of this and ride almost exclusively on bike paths and less-traveled roads.

We stop every few hundred meters to discuss the sights and take photos, so our tours arent the least bit strenuous. Why punish your feet walking?

Our expert guides provide fascinating anecdotes to deliver relevant information youll absorb and take with you.

We make sure to divide up large groups for the highest standards of personal service. We have expert guides and a wide selection of new bikes.

Inclusions:
Bike, native English-speaking guide, taxes, insurances, and a great time!

Exclusions:
Food and drink at the beer garden break

Tour Info

May 1 September 30: Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 10:30am

Running Time: 5 hours

Please make your way to the main entrance of the TV Tower in Alexanderplatz. Take the metro to Alexanderplatz Station. You will see your guide 15 minutes prior to tour start time.

Our Berlin Wall & Cold War Tour delves deeper into the darker sides of Berlins history. These tours go out further to reach extraordinarily impressive sights otherwise left out on bus, walking and boat tours. We cover only about 14km (8 miles) in about 5 hours and stop every few hundred meters to soak in the sights so our Berlin Wall & Cold War Bike Tour isnt strenuous.

We head away from the Mitte district and the pedestrian Cold War sights to take in more of the former East, more of the Wall, and more of what makes Berlin the unique city it is today.

Our Berlin Wall & Cold War Tour heads east along the imposing Karl-Marx-Allee before taking in the colorful East Side Gallery and the powerful Treptower Park Memorial.

From there we return through the former no-mans-land deathstrip to visit former checkpoints and hear tales of espionage and escape attempts.

To put the Cold War into perspective well timeline other important worldwide events to show how these effectively put Berlin at the forefront of Cold War tension.

We break for lunch at a nice caf in the remains of an old train station split off from its tracks by the Wall. Even our lunch break shows contrasts between East and West that we explore on the tour.

Tour highlights include:

Visiting the imposing Treptower Park Soviet Cenotaph. This is sure to be one of the most impressive sights on your European vacation. More than 3200 fallen Soviet troops are buried here and the reliefs lining the memorial are the fi nest of Stalinist propaganda. Its off the beaten tourist path yet quite accessible by bike and not to be missed.

Exploring the East Side Gallery, a kilometer-long stretch of still-standing Wall, famous for its graffiti. Its politically charged and we give you plenty of time to soak it in, so dont forget your camera.

Retracing more than 5km of where the Wall stood to understand differences still existing in former East and West Berlin.

Hearing numerous anecdotes of escape attempts and techniques, many on-site where they actually took place.

Regardless if this is your first trip to Berlin or if you already feel like ein Berliner, our bike tours are great ways to see the city and understand what makes Berlin so special. Here are just some of the many reasons why:

Berlin is almost 9 times the size of Paris yet very flat and bike friendly. Our tours take advantage of this and ride almost exclusively on bike paths and less-traveled roads.

We stop every few hundred meters to discuss the sights and take photos, so our tours arent the least bit strenuous. Why punish your feet walking?

Our expert guides provide fascinating anecdotes to deliver relevant information youll absorb and take with you.

We make sure to divide up large groups for the highest standards of personal service. We have expert guides and a wide selection of new bikes.

Inclusions:
Bike, native English-speaking guide, taxes, insurances, and a great time!

Exclusions:
Food and drink at the cafe break

Tour Info

May 1 September 30: Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:30am
Running Time: 5 hours

Please make your way to the main entrance of the TV Tower in Alexanderplatz. Take the metro to Alexanderplatz Station. You will see your guide 15 minutes prior to tour start time.

If your time in Berlin is just too short, then our All-in-One City Tour is for you! Tens of thousands of customers cant be wrong. Youll get a great orientation and see more in 4,5 hours than you could in days on your own.

In about 4,5 hours we leisurely cover around 6 miles (10 km) and stop every few hundred meters to take in the sights. Our tours arent strenuous and are applicable for all ages fitness levels.

Understand all facets of Berlin in one comprehensive tour as we cover ALL the main sights and hidden gems otherwise overlooked. Some of the discussion highlights include:

Berlin Wall: Stop at the Berlin Wall, wander through Checkpoint Charlie, and stand in the deathstrip under a watchtower. Understand why the Berlin Wall was built, what led to its fall and how Berlin is dealing with its past.

Third Reich: Stand on top of Hitlers bunker and where years earlier the Nazis had their famous book-burning. See the Reichstag and grasp how its fateful burning led to Hitlers rise to power.

Beer garden and Spree River: We cross through the massive Tiergarten Park for a lovely ride to a delightful beer garden. This is a great place to grab a drink, a bite to eat, and to plug your guide for more inside tips and pointers. Then soak in the scenery as we explore the sprawling new government quarter. Relax and enjoy!

Prussian Berlin: Well understand how the mighty Prussians molded Berlin into a European power. Ride through the Brandenburg Gate like many previous armies, over the Museum Island, across the Gendarmenmarkt and much more.

Some of the tour sights include:

Berlin Wall see one of the last remaining sections still standing.

Brandenburg Gate ride through Germanys most famous monument.

Marienkirche Berlins oldest functioning church.

Red Town Hall city hall of now-unified Berlin.

Marx & Engels Platz monuments still standing of communisms founders in the former East

Palace of the Republic sight of the former communist East German parliament, now being dismantled

Hitlers bunker discuss the final days of the Nazis

Victory Column the massive landmark deep in the heart of the Tiergarten

Potsdamer Platz the new downtown of Berlin

Gendarmenmarkt Berlins beautifully quaint square

Nazi Topography of Terror open-air museum in the former HQ of the Nazi Gestapo and SS

Soviet War Memorial where more than 2500 Soviet troops from the Battle of Berlin are buried

St. Hedwigs Cathedral

Unter den Linden Berlins most famous boulevard

Deathstrip see how East & West Berlin were divided

Checkpoint Charlie Explore this most famous Cold War landmark and border crossing through the Wall

Humboldt University

Museum Island Pergamon Museum, Altes Museum, Bode Museum

Luftwaffe Ministry intact Nazi air force ministry

Bebelplatz site of the Nazi book-burning

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe Controversial and powerful massive new memorial

Reichstag beautifully restored parliament house yet site of one of Berlins fi nal WWII battles

State Opera House

And much, much more!

Regardless if this is your first trip to Berlin or if you already feel like ein Berliner, our bike tours are great ways to see the city and understand what makes Berlin so special.

Here are just some of the many reasons why:

Berlin is almost 9 times the size of Paris yet very flat and bike friendly. Our tours take advantage of this and ride almost exclusively on bike paths and less-traveled roads.

We stop every few hundred meters to discuss the sights and take photos, so our tours arent the least bit strenuous. Why punish your feet walking?

Our expert guides provide fascinating anecdotes to deliver relevant information youll absorb and take with you.

We make sure to divide up large groups for the highest standards of personal service. We have expert guides and a wide selection of new bikes

Inclusions:
Bike, native English-speaking guide, taxes, insurances, and a great time!

Exclusions:
Food and drink at the beer garden break

Tour Info

March 1 April 30: Daily at 11am
May 1 September 30: Daily at 11am & 4pm
October 1 November 30: Daily at 11am
December 1 February 28: Wednesdays and Saturdays only at 11am
Running Time: 4.5 hours

Please make your way to the main entrance of the TV Tower in Alexanderplatz. Take the metro to Alexanderplatz Station. You will see your guide 15 minutes prior to tour start time.

A Ballet in 2 acts.

Two worlds coexisting within each other. A man and a woman united by their love, doomed by a spell of fate. Tchaikovsky’s immaculate music. White tutus and pointe shoes. A timeless classic. Swan Lake the ballet of ballets.

Opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi.

The well known tragic love story between the high-class coutesan Violetta and Alfredo, son of a respected Parisian family. With Alfredo the beautiful high-class courtesan Violetta finally finds true love. After a brief spell of happiness enjoyed together Alfredo's father manages, nevertheless, to convince Violetta of the social damage this relationship causes his family. In desperation, she leaves Alfredo and throws herself into the Parisian demimonde with disastrous effects on her health,already ravaged by consumption. Reconciliation comes too late.

Performed in Italian with German surtitles.

Returning victorious from the battle at Pharsalus, Julius Caesar chases Pompey, his rival in the Roman Republics civil war, and follows him to Egypt.

Act 1
Arriving on Egyptian soil, the Roman general is hailed as Pompeys vanquisher. Cornelia, Pompeys wife, and their son Sesto beg for peace and Caesars clemency which Caesar is willing to grant. Caesar is horrified when Achilla, envoy of Ptolemy, King of Egypt, presents him with Pompey's severed head. Caesar swears to punish this atrocity. Cornelia laments the death of her husband, and her son Sesto swears revenge for the death of his father.Cleopatra is in dispute with her brother Ptolemy over the Egyptian throne. She develops a plan with her confidant Nireno to seduce Caesar and use his help to depose Ptolemy as King. Achilla reports Caesars wrath to Ptolemy and offers to kill the Roman Emperor in return for Cornelia's hand.Contemplating Pompeys funeral urn, Caesar reflects on the irrelevance of earthly glory. Cleopatra presents herself to Caesar disguised as Lydia. She asks him for his support against Ptolemy. Caesar is immediately enchanted by her beauty. He promises to help. In Sesto and his mother Cornelia, Cleopatra finds allies for her plan to destroy Ptolemy.Ptolemy receives Caesar with treacherous friendliness. In their verbal exchange, the Roman shows his superiority.Cornelias and Sestos planned attack on Ptolemy at his royal palace is thwarted by Achilla who desires and harasses Cornelia. As prisoners, mother and son lament their fate.

Act 2
Using all her powers of persuasiveness, Cleopatra alias Lydia wins Caesar over completely. Ptolemy too clearly desires his prisoner Cornelia. When she spurns him, he threatens her with violence. No sooner said, Nireno arrives with the news that he is to take Cornelia to Ptolemys harem. Sesto senses his next chance to take revenge on the Egyptian tyrant.

A romantic encounter between Caesar and Cleopatra is suddenly interrupted when Curio, Caesars general, bursts onto the scene with the news of a conspiracy against him. Cleopatra, who only now reveals her true identity, urges Caesar to flee but Caesar sets out to fight the conspirators. Cleopatra stays behind in despair.

Part II - Act 2 continued
After a new attempt on Ptolemys life - this time in the harem - once again fails, Achilla announces Caesars death in the presence of the assassins. Achilla now demands Cornelias hand as the payment bargained but Ptolemy orders him away as a traitor. Cornelia and Sesto recognise the hopelessness of their situation but swear once more to take revenge on Ptolemy.

Act 3
Achilla is insulted by the Egyptian King breaking his promise to give him Cornelias hand in marriage. He decides to change sides and join Cleopatra and her followers. Cleopatra is in the midst of a civil war against her brothers troops. Ptolemy succeeds in capturing his sister. A solitary figure in despair, she remains behind.

Caesar, believed dead, unexpectedly returns and promises to save Cleopatra, Cornelia and Sesto. Carrying the seal of the mortally wounded Achilla, Caesar takes command of Achillas army. He also succeeds in freeing Cleopatra and prepares for the final retaliatory attack. Meanwhile, Ptolemy again harasses Cornelia who resists, but help is near and Ptolemy is killed. Victorious, Caesar celebrates with Cleopatra, the new Queen of Egypt.

La damnation de Faust (The Damnation of Faust) is a work for orchestra, voices, and chorus written by Hector Berlioz and called, by the composer, a "légende dramatique". It is often performed as an opera.

Premiere on 20 June 2010(3 Colours White), a ballet evening in several parts choreographed by David Dawson.

Madame Tussauds Berlin opened its doors to the public on 5th July 2008 in the citys prestigious Unter den Linden Boulevard. The eighth Madame Tussauds attraction in the world, Madame Tussauds Berlin will be a unique, fully immersive visitor experience.

Using state of the art technology, clever interactives and dramatic backdrops the attraction will showcase a range of incredibly lifelike wax figures of Hollywood A-listers, sports stars, historic figures and icons of contemporary culture.

There are eight different zones within the attraction and as well as getting up close and personal to wax figures of everyone from sports stars to politicians, visitors can enjoy a whole world of interactive experiences in each zone.

Times: Daily at 10am

Closed on 24th December

Adult: 15 - 59 years

Child: 3 - 14 years

Concession: Students 15 - 26 years & Senoirs 60+

Customers must go to the fast track or pre-booked tickets entrance & exchange their voucher for original tickets at the counter.

Built in 2000, the Hamburg Dungeon is a tourist attraction from a chain including the London Dungeon and York Dungeon. It is the first of this brand to be built in mainland Europe.

It provides a journey through Hamburgs dark history in an actor led, interactive experience. Shows are:

Torture Chamber: A show based on the interrogation of those thought to be smuggling to defy the 18th century Napoleonic invasion.

Great Fire of Hamburg: Visitors have to find their way through the terrible fire that devastated much of Hamburg in 1842.

The Plague: A recreation of the streets of plague ravaged Hamburg street, where the effect the killer disease had in the city in 1664 is animated.

Labyrinth of the Lost: A mirror maze.

The Inquisition: The visitor stands in an Inquisition court where they are accused of sins against God! The punishments are always harsh and the court is unforgiving as some of the darkest moments of the countrys history are played out.

Times: Daily at 10am

Closed on 24th & 25th Dec

Adult: 15 - 59 years

Child: 3 - 14 years

Concession: Students 15 - 26 years & Senoirs 60+

Please go to the fast track / pre-booked tickets entrance and exchange voucher for original tickets at the counter.

The SEA LIFE is a spectacular attraction in which visitors feel themselves immersed in the marine environment rather than mere spectators.

SEA LIFE features a dramatic walkthrough underwater see-through tunnel where it often seems that you are the captive creature while the fish swim freely watching you rather than the other way round.

Gone are the gallery-style collections of oblong tanks, and in their place displays of all shapes and sizes offering astonishingly close views of an array of creatures through windows which are flat, curved and even bubble-shaped!

Increasing awareness of the importance of safeguarding the seas and their inhabitants is an integral element of the SEA LIFE experience, and the companys marine experts are actively involved in a wide range of research, rescue and conservation endeavours.

Times: Opened daily at 10am - last admission 4 p.m. (closing at 5 p.m.)

Adult - 15-59 years

Child - 3-14 years

Concession - Students 15-26 years and Seniors 60+

Please go to the fast track / pre-booked tickets entrance and exchange voucher for original tickets at the counter.

The SEA LIFE is a spectacular attraction in which visitors feel themselves immersed in the marine environment rather than mere spectators.

SEA LIFE features a dramatic walkthrough underwater see-through tunnel where it often seems that you are the captive creature while the fish swim freely watching you rather than the other way round.

Gone are the gallery-style collections of oblong tanks, and in their place displays of all shapes and sizes offering astonishingly close views of an array of creatures through windows which are flat, curved and even bubble-shaped!

Increasing awareness of the importance of safeguarding the seas and their inhabitants is an integral element of the SEA LIFE experience, and the companys marine experts are actively involved in a wide range of research, rescue and conservation endeavours.

Times

July-07.Sept (daily) 10am-7pm

May-June and 8.Sept till 31.Oct (daily) 10am-6pm

November-April (Monday to Friday) 10am-5pm
(Sat, Sun, bank holidays and vacations Baden-Wrttemberg) 10am-6pm

Adult - 15-59 years

Child - 3-14 years

Concession - Students 15-26 years and Seniors 60+

Please go to the fast track / pre-booked tickets entrance and exchange voucher for original tickets at the counter.

The SEA LIFE is a spectacular attraction in which visitors feel themselves immersed in the marine environment rather than mere spectators.

SEA LIFE features a dramatic walkthrough underwater see-through tunnel where it often seems that you are the captive creature while the fish swim freely watching you rather than the other way round.

Gone are the gallery-style collections of oblong tanks, and in their place displays of all shapes and sizes offering astonishingly close views of an array of creatures through windows which are flat, curved and even bubble-shaped!

Increasing awareness of the importance of safeguarding the seas and their inhabitants is an integral element of the SEA LIFE experience, and the companys marine experts are actively involved in a wide range of research, rescue and conservation endeavours.

Times: Daily at 10am

Adult - 15-59 years

Child - 3-14 years

Concession - Students 15-26 years and Seniors 60+

Please go to the fast track / pre-booked tickets entrance and exchange voucher for original tickets at the counter.

The SEA LIFE is a spectacular attraction in which visitors feel themselves immersed in the marine environment rather than mere spectators.

SEA LIFE features a dramatic walkthrough underwater see-through tunnel where it often seems that you are the captive creature while the fish swim freely watching you rather than the other way round.

Gone are the gallery-style collections of oblong tanks, and in their place displays of all shapes and sizes offering astonishingly close views of an array of creatures through windows which are flat, curved and even bubble-shaped!

Increasing awareness of the importance of safeguarding the seas and their inhabitants is an integral element of the SEA LIFE experience, and the companys marine experts are actively involved in a wide range of research, rescue and conservation endeavours.

Times: Daily at 10am

Adult - 15-59 years

Child - 3-14 years

Concession - Students 15-26 years and Seniors 60+

Please go to the fast track / pre-booked tickets entrance and exchange voucher for original tickets at the counter.

The SEA LIFE is a spectacular attraction in which visitors feel themselves immersed in the marine environment rather than mere spectators.

SEA LIFE features a dramatic walkthrough underwater see-through tunnel where it often seems that you are the captive creature while the fish swim freely watching you rather than the other way round.

Gone are the gallery-style collections of oblong tanks, and in their place displays of all shapes and sizes offering astonishingly close views of an array of creatures through windows which are flat, curved and even bubble-shaped!

Increasing awareness of the importance of safeguarding the seas and their inhabitants is an integral element of the SEA LIFE experience, and the companys marine experts are actively involved in a wide range of research, rescue and conservation endeavours.

Times: 10am to 6.30pm (last entry at 5pm)

Adult - 15-59 years

Child - 3-14 years

Concession - Students 15-26 years and Seniors 60+

Please go to the fast track / pre-booked tickets entrance and exchange voucher for original tickets at the counter.

The SEA LIFE is a spectacular attraction in which visitors feel themselves immersed in the marine environment rather than mere spectators.

SEA LIFE features a dramatic walkthrough underwater see-through tunnel where it often seems that you are the captive creature while the fish swim freely watching you rather than the other way round.

Gone are the gallery-style collections of oblong tanks, and in their place displays of all shapes and sizes offering astonishingly close views of an array of creatures through windows which are flat, curved and even bubble-shaped!

Increasing awareness of the importance of safeguarding the seas and their inhabitants is an integral element of the SEA LIFE experience, and the companys marine experts are actively involved in a wide range of research, rescue and conservation endeavours.

Times: Opens from 10am to 6pm (till closes at 17.00 hrs)

Adult - 15-59 years

Child - 3-14 years

Concession - Students 15-26 years and Seniors 60+

Please go to the fast track / pre-booked tickets entrance and exchange voucher for original tickets at the counter.

The SEA LIFE is a spectacular attraction in which visitors feel themselves immersed in the marine environment rather than mere spectators.

SEA LIFE features a dramatic walkthrough underwater see-through tunnel where it often seems that you are the captive creature while the fish swim freely watching you rather than the other way round.

Gone are the gallery-style collections of oblong tanks, and in their place displays of all shapes and sizes offering astonishingly close views of an array of creatures through windows which are flat, curved and even bubble-shaped!

Increasing awareness of the importance of safeguarding the seas and their inhabitants is an integral element of the SEA LIFE experience, and the companys marine experts are actively involved in a wide range of research, rescue and conservation endeavours.

Times: Opens at 10am

Adult - 15-59 years

Child - 3-14 years

Concession - Students 15-26 years and Seniors 60+

Please go to the fast track / pre-booked tickets entrance and exchange voucher for original tickets at the counter.

The SEA LIFE is a spectacular attraction in which visitors feel themselves immersed in the marine environment rather than mere spectators.

SEA LIFE features a dramatic walkthrough underwater see-through tunnel where it often seems that you are the captive creature while the fish swim freely watching you rather than the other way round.

Gone are the gallery-style collections of oblong tanks, and in their place displays of all shapes and sizes offering astonishingly close views of an array of creatures through windows which are flat, curved and even bubble-shaped!

Increasing awareness of the importance of safeguarding the seas and their inhabitants is an integral element of the SEA LIFE experience, and the companys marine experts are actively involved in a wide range of research, rescue and conservation endeavours.

Times: 10am to 7pm (last admission 6 p.m.)

Adult - 15-59 years

Child - 3-14 years

Concession - Students 15-26 years and Seniors 60+

Please go to the fast track / pre-booked tickets entrance and exchange voucher for original tickets at the counter.

An opera (Dramma giocoso) in two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte.

It was not until the 20th Century that this piece of art, which was also a collaboration between Mozart and da Ponte, could capture the audience's favour.

Ballet by Mauro Bigonzetti and music by Claudio Monteverdi in an adaptation by Bruno Moretti.

Is an opera Singspiel in three acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The German libretto is by Christoph Friedrich Bretzner with adaptations by Gottlieb Stephanie. The plot concerns the attempt of the hero Belmonte, assisted by his servant Pedrillo, to rescue his beloved Konstanze from the seraglio of the Pasha Selim.

Act 1

Belmonte seeks everywhere his betrothed, Konstanze, who with her English servant Blondchen has fallen into the hands of pirates who sold them to the Pasha Selim (Aria: "Here shall I see you, Konstanze, you my hope.") Osmin, the Pasha's servant, comes to pluck figs in the garden and completely ignores Belmonte's addresses (Aria: "Who a love has found.") Belmonte insists and tries to obtain news of his servant, Pedrillo. (Duet: "Confounded be you and your song.") Osmin is angry. ("Such ragamuffins.") Nevertheless, after the servant leaves, Belmonte meets Pedrillo and they resolve to abduct Konstanze. (Aria: "Konstanze, Konstanze, to see thee again").

Accompanied by a chorus of Janissaries ("Sing to the great Pasha") Selim appears with Konstanze, for whose love he strives in vain. (Aria of Konstanze: "O forgive! Oh, I loved") Upon the recommendation of Pedrillo, the Pasha engages Belmonte as builder, but Osmin refuses him access to the palace. (Terzett: "March! March! March!")

Act 2

Blondchen repulses the rough lovemaking attempts of Osmin. (Aria: "By tenderness and flattery.") After a duet ("I go, but counsel thee to avoid the villain Pedrillo"), Osmin departs. Konstanze greets Blondchen in distress (Aria: "Sorrow has become my lot"), informing her that Selim demands her love and threatens to use force. (Aria: "This also will I bear.")

When she has gone, Pedrillo comes to Blondchen, who is his sweetheart, and informs her that Belmonte is near and that all is ready for flight. Blondchen is filled with joy. (Aria: "What happiness, what delight.") Pedrillo invites Osmin to drink, hoping that he will become intoxicated. (Aria: "On to the combat" and duet: "Vivat Bacchus!") He succeeds in this plan and gets Osmin out of the way so that Belmonte again sees his beloved Konstanze. (Quartet, Belmonte, Konstanze, Pedrillo, Blondchen: "Oh, Belmonte, oh my life.")

Act 3

Belmonte and Pedrillo come to the garden with ladders. (Aria, Belmonte: "When the tears of joy do fall"; Romanze, Pedrillo: "Captive in the land of the Moors.") Belmonte succeeds in abducting Konstanze, but when Pedrillo is about to escape with Blondchen, they are caught by Osmin (Aria: "Ho, how I will triumph"), and Belmonte and Konstanze are also brought back by the guard. Belmonte pleading for their lives announces to Selim Pasha that his father is a Spanish Grandee and Governor of Oran who will pay a huge ransom, on hearing the name of Belmonte's father, Selim Pasha declares Belmonte the son of his greatest enemy, and rejoices on how fortune has handed him a chance for vengeance. (Duet: "Oh what a fate, oh soul's misery.") His heart, however, is touched by their sorrow; he forgives, and all are set at liberty - much to the dismay of Osmin, who would prefer to see them all brutally executed. (Finale: "Never will I thy kindness forget.")

Aaron S. Watkins production of La Bayadre - one of the greatest classical ballets of our time - is based on the traditional version of Marius Petipa. Set in ancient India, this typically romantic story tells of love, jealousy, intrigue, murder and revenge between Nikiya, a temple dancer, her rival, the Rajahs daughter Hamsatti, and Solor, a noble warrior passionately loved by both women. This passionate exotic tale also includes The Kingdom of the Shades - one of the most famous scenes in all of classical ballet.

Around twenty years after the disappearance of Countess di Lunas youngest son (kidnapped and possibly killed by the daughter of a gypsy who was burned alive as a witch), the fates of two men are entwined: the young Count di Luna and the troubadour Manrico, son of the gypsy Azucena. They are fighting on opposite sides of a civil war, and are rivals for the love of Leonora. When Azucena is found on the battlefield by di Luna, he decides to kill the woman identified as the murderer of his brother and the mother of his enemy, Manrico. The latter, attempting to free the gypsy, is himself captured by di Luna. Leonora offers herself in exchange for Manricos freedom, and later swallows deadly poison. Di Luna kills Manrico, whereupon Azucena relates that they were brothers. Her mothers revenge is now complete.

Starting point:
BalloonGarden, Wilhelmstrasse/ corner Zimmerstrasse close to Checkpoint Charlie (metro U6 railway station Kochstrasse)
Duration: appr. 1 hour

Route:
BallonGarten> Potsdamer Platz > Embassy District > KaDeWe > Ku’damm > Straße des 17. Juni > Victory Column (Siegessäule) > Governement District > New Synagogue > Scheunenviertel (Jewish District) > Red Town Hall > Television Tower > Schlossplatz > Berlin Cathedral > Museum Island > Unter den Linden > Brandenburg Gate > BallonGarten

On the "Berlin-Classic" Trabi Safari you will experience a balanced mix of information about the city's historical roots and the pulsating life and growth of the rise of the new middle class.

General information:
Few years ago only a few enthusiasts dared to show themselves in public with their Trabis. Anyway, times have changed - so now the cult vehicle of the East is back. "To drive a Trabi once in a lifetime" has not only become the dream of car and "East" fanatics, but is ranging amongst the cultural "musts" for any visitor. With this unique sightseeing offer in Germany you you can combine unsurpassed driving feeling and nostalgic sightseeing with the real atmosphere of the past "East". No matter which colour your Trabi has or wether it's a convertable or a genuine closed one, on a tour with our all but ordinary fleet, driving fun is guaranteed.

On this tour it will be YOU taking over the steering wheel and maneuvring this unique vehicle. While you are enjoying the sights passing by the windows of your personal Trabi, your guide provides you with information about historical facts and funnny things via radio. A Trabi-Safari will be an incomparable experience for everyone and for sure one of the ultimate highlights of your visit in Germany!

Tour Info:

2010: Start at 10:00 a.m. / 11:30 a.m. / 01:00 p.m. / 03:00 p.m. / 04:30 p.m.

Running Time: Lasts 1hour

Maximum: 16 persons (4 trabis)

Guide accompanies all tours giving live explanations via radio.

Customers must call 0049 (0)302 759 2273 no later than 3 days prior to reserve the exact tour date and time.

Two of the most precious jewels of Bavaria can be seen during this excursion. The castle Linderhof built by King Ludwig II in French rococo style with its fantastic grotto and the moorish pavillon can be visited during our two hour stay lunch. We travel on to Oberammergau, world-famous for its Passion Plays, the woodcarvers and the richly painted houses (Lüftl-paintings). Time for sightseeing, shopping and a coffee break.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

See Castle of Linderhof and Oberammergau

Free Time for Sighseeing

Tour Info

Times: Tour departs at 10.15am every Sun

Tour Departure Point: This tour departs from the front of the “Hertie” department store, across the main railway station (Hauptbahnhof, Bahnhofplatz).

After driving through the village of Dachau we will reach the former concentration camp of Dachau. You will have plenty of time to visit the memorial site, the museum and the documentary film. We will provide explanations to the memorial site on the bus, however there is no guided tour on site. Visitors are asked to respect the dignity of the site by wearing appropriate attire.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Self-Guided Visit of Former Concentration Camp

Tour Info

Times: Tour departs at 1.15pm on Saturdays

Tour Departure Point: This tour departs from the front of the “Hertie” department store, across the main railway station (Hauptbahnhof, Bahnhofplatz).

Running Time: 4.5 hrs

Our trip through the Chiemgau gives you a beautiful view on the Lower Bavarian Alps. In Salzburg, the city of Mozart, we will have enough time for shopping and a walk through the picturesque old city. On lake Wolfgangsee, possibility of a boat ride to the White Horse Inn and a visit to the pilgrim church. Past lake Mondsee (Scene of "Sound of Music") return to Munich.

Some nationalities may require passport or a visa for Austria.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Time for Walking and Shopping and Salzburg

Lake Wolfgangsee

Tour Info

Times: This tour departs at 8.30am (Tues, Thurs, Sat).

Tour Departure Point: This tour departs from the front of the “Hertie” department store, across the main railway station (Hauptbahnhof, Bahnhofplatz).

Following the German Alpine Road you will have a splendid view of the Bavarian Alps. In Berchtesgaden optional ride in a special bus to Eagle’s Nest, Hitler’s former teahouse (open as of May). In case of snow and ice, the world famous Salt Mines will be visited instead.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

View of the Bavarian Alps

Optional Bus to Hitler’s Former Teahouse

Tour Info

Times: This tour departs at 8.30am (mon & Fri)

Tour Departure Point: This tour departs from the front of the “Hertie” department store, across the main railway station (Hauptbahnhof, Bahnhofplatz).

Along the Romantic Road we first reach Harburg, one of the oldest, biggest and best preserved castles of Southern Germany, which was first mentioned end of the 11th century. Through the Swabian crater landscape passing Dinkelsbühl arrive in Rothenburg, the most perfectly preserved medieval town in Europe. Time for sightseeing, lunch and shopping. Via the Hallertau, the world largest hop-growing area we return to Munich.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Ride Along the Romantic Road.

Time for Sightseeing, Lunch and Shopping in Rothenburg.

Tour Info

Times: Departs at 8.30am (Sun & Weds)
Running Time: 10.5 hrs

On the largest of the Bavarian lakes, Chiemsee, we take a boat ride to the Herreninsel. Here you visit Ludwig’s II castle, a replica of the palace of Versailles. We continue by boat to Fraueninsel. Time to visit the Benedictine church and a walk on the island. Castle included in the price.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Boat Ride to Herreninsel

Time For Walk on Island of Fraueninsel

Tour Info

Times: Departs at 8.30am on Mondays
Running Time: 10.5 hrs

This tour is guiding you along some of Bavaria’s most beautiful lakes, through the Karwendel-mountains to Innsbruck, city of the "golden roof" in Austria. One of the highlights of this extraordinary excursion is surely the visit of Swarovski’s "World of Crystals" designed by the famous Austrian performance - artist André Heller. At Innsbruck you have enough time to visit sightseeings of the historical center. Pass Olympic Wintergame places of 1964 and 1976 return to Munich.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

• Visit "World of Crystals"
• Time to Explore Innsbruck
• See Olympic Wintergame Places

Tour Info:

• Times: Tour departs at 8.30am every Friday
• Running Time: 10.5 hrs

Hidden in the seclusion of the mountains Ludwig II. built two of his dream castles: Neuschwanstein and Linderhof. This excursion shows you two extraordinary castles, both testifying to the vision of Bavaria’s fairytale King. Short shopping stop in Oberammergau. Approx. 4 hours time to visit Neuschwanstein and for lunch. A comprehensive visit of Linderhof with its fantastic grotto and moorish pavillon offers Tour 15.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

• Visit to Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Castles

Tour Info:

• Times: Tour departs at 8.30am
• Running Time: 10.5 hrs

After visiting Ettal Monastery, we drive to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and on to Eibsee where we take the cablecar to the summit of the Zugspitze (9,788 ft.). On a clear day you can see over a thousand Bavarian, Austrian, Swiss and Italian mountain peaks. Descent by cogwheel train. Cablecar and cogwheeltrain included!

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

• Ettal Monaster
• Cablecar to Zugspitze Summit
• Transportation to and from Summit Included

Tour Info:

• Times: Tour departs at 10.15am every Sun
• Running Time: 8 hrs

On this tour you will pass beautifully illuminated monuments, fountains, and buildings. In the famous Hofbräuhaus you will be treated to an evening Bavarian style with music, show and dinner. After that you will be driven through the former artists’ quarter-Schwabing and on to the Olympic Grounds where you can ascend the Olympic Tower to enjoy the marvellous view of the city by night. To end the evening we will have a drink at a nightclub with live music.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Scenic Views in and Around Munich.

Evening at the Hofbräuhaus.

Price Includes Dinner, Guided Tour, Ascent of Olympic Tower, One Free Drink at Nightclub Visit, Entrance Fees.

Tour Info

Times: Tour departs at 7.30pm

Tour Departure Point: This tour departs from the front of the “Hertie” department store, across the main railway station (Hauptbahnhof, Bahnhofplatz

Running Time: 4.5 hrs

In addition to the major sights of Munich we will also visit the most modern soccer stadium in Europe, the “Allianz Arena” – venue for the World Soccer Championship 2006. A visit to the FC Bayern Grounds will follow. On match days visiting Allianz Arena isn´t possible. As an alternative we will visit the VIP area of the Olympic Stadium and Olympic Park.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Allianz Arena

FC Bayern Grounds

Tour Info

Times:

Tour departs at 9.30am Thur & Fri

Tour Departure Point: This tour departs from the front of the “Hertie” department store, across the main railway station (Hauptbahnhof, Bahnhofplatz).
Running Time: 3.5 hrs

This tour introduces you to the most beautiful and most outstanding sights of Munich and then takes you to the film studios on the southern city fringes where you learn about the studio premises’ long tradition. You are invited to view what goes on behind the scenes of television and motion picture sets.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Bavaria Film Studios

Guided Tour Behind the Scenes

Tour Info

Times: Sat & Sun @ 9.45am
Running Time: 3 hrs

Enjoy Munich in our open air double-decker buses. Discover the highlights of our city with our comprehensive Hop on Hop off tour. Our route invites you to discover sights such as the Pinakotheken art museums, the world-famous Hofbräuhaus, the National Theater with the Royal Palace, Marienplatz and the Viktualien market with its colorful outdoor stalls.

Our tour continues to the Palace of Nymphenburg, the former summer residence of the Bavarian elector princes and kings with its beautiful and spacious gardens.

To get an impression of modern Munich, you will visit the Olympic grounds where you will find other attractions like Sea Life, the BMW museum and the new BMW Car World (scheduled to open in July 2007). You will have a fantastic panoramic view from the top of the 290 meter high Olympic Tower. Later we will pass through the former artist quarter of Schwabing where you may stroll along Leopold street.

The frequent stopping points make this tour an unforgettable Munich experience.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Open Air Double-decker Buses

Palace of Nymphenburg

Visit Olympic Grounds

Tour Info

Times: First departure is at 10.00am & last is at 5.00pm
Running Time: 2.5 hrs

Enjoy Munich in our open air double-decker buses. Discover the highlights of our city with our comprehensive Hop on Hop off tour. Our route invites you to discover sights such as the Pinakotheken art museums, the world-famous Hofbräuhaus, the National Theater with the Royal Palace, Marienplatz and the Viktualien market with its colorful outdoor stalls.

Our tour continues to the Palace of Nymphenburg, the former summer residence of the Bavarian elector princes and kings with its beautiful and spacious gardens.

To get an impression of modern Munich, you will visit the Olympic grounds where you will find other attractions like Sea Life, the BMW museum and the new BMW Car World (scheduled to open in July 2007). You will have a fantastic panoramic view from the top of the 290 meter high Olympic Tower. Later we will pass through the former artist quarter of Schwabing where you may stroll along Leopold street.

The frequent stopping points make this tour an unforgettable Munich experience.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Open Air Double-decker Buses

Palace of Nymphenburg

Visit Olympic Grounds

Tour Info

Times: First departure at 10.00am & last at 5.00pm
Running Time: 2.5 hrs

Discover the highlights of our city with our concise Hop on Hop off tour in our open air double-decker buses. Our route presents to you such famous sights as the Pinakotheken art museums, the world famous Hofbräuhaus, the National Theater with the Royal Palace, Marienplatz and the Viktualien market with its colorful outdoor stalls.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Open air Double-decker Buses

Comprehensive Tour of Munich

Tour Info

Times: First departure at 10.00am & last at 5.00pm
Running Time: 1 hr

The Berliner Symphoniker is renowned as one of the important symphony orchestras of Berlin. A tradition of internationally famous conductors and chief conductors has always guaranteed a high quality of musical performances. Since 1997 Lior Shambadal as chief conductor of the Berliner Symphoniker has furthered up this tradition.

The Berliner Symphoniker are particularly renowned for their series of performances of classical concerts in the Philharmonic Hall in Berlin, however, the orchestra is also famous for their educational activities which include workshops, teaching, concerts for families and senior citizens and performances in Berlin`s suburbs and schools.

Since their foundation in 1966 the orchestra tours regularly and very successfully in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands and Great Britain. Special highlights of there touring activities have been the performances during the International Musik Festival of Turkey, Egypt and Lucerne/ Switzerland followed by remarkable concerts through important cities of the United States of America and Brazil.

As a highlight of this decade in the year 2001 the Berliner Symphoniker were invited to play in Switzerland, France, Spain, Italy and Great Britain. These appearances received both high critical and public acclaim. In autumn of the same year the Berliner Symphoniker then toured to South America and had very successful concerts in Argentina, Brasil, Mexico, Uruguay and Venezuela. Another highlight of the touring activities were concerts in Japan in the years 2002 and 2004. Concerts in Greece, Spain and a great Asain concert tour to South Korea as well as China, were the highlights in 2005.

In 2006 invitations for concerts in Spain, Italy and Switzerland followed. In 2007 the Berliner Symphoniker were invited for 2 concerts in Buenos Aires and 7 concerts at the International Ushuaia Festival in Argentina. The orchestra performed very successful performances in Germany and Italy and played 25 concerts during their third tour in Japan and their second invitaion to China.

In 2008 the Berliner Symphoniker played at the Festival Msica Mallorca, gave 5 concerts in Argentina and were invited for yet another tour to Japan. Afterwards a great tour to China followed in December 2008. The 12 concerts were very successful, especially the charity concert for victims of an earthquake.

The CD production Latin Music was 2007 nominated for the Grammy Award. Since the 3th march 2008 our new CD production with music from Richard Strauss is woldwide available.

Performance Info

17 October 2010, 4.00pm

07 November 2010 , 4:00pm

05 December 2010 , 4:00pm

27 February 2011, 4:00pm

27 March 2011, 4:00pm

17 April 2011, 4:00pm

The Berlin Philharmonic (in German: Die Berliner Philharmoniker), is an orchestra based in Berlin, Germany. In 2006, a group of ten European media outlets voted the Berlin Philharmonic number three on a list of "top ten European Orchestras", after the Vienna Philharmonic and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Its primary concert venue is the Philharmonie, located in the Kulturforum area of the city. Since 2002, its principal conductor is Sir Simon Rattle. The BPO also supports several chamber music ensembles.

Date	Time	Conductor
18 September 2010 01. October 2010 02. October 2010 08. October 2010 16. October 2010 30. October 2010 10. December 2010 17. December 2010 15. January 2011 21. January 2011 05. February 2011 18. February 2011 04. March 2011 12. March 2011 26. March 2011 01. April 2011 07. May 2011 14. May 2011 20. May 2011 26. May 2011 10. June 2011 17. June 2011	8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM 8:00 PM	Pierre Boulez Sir Charles Mackerras Sir Charles Mackerras Eivind Gullberg Jensen Andris Nelsons Sir Simon Rattle Kirill Petrenko Neeme Jaervi David Zinman Seiji Ozawa Sir Simon Rattle Sir Simon Rattle Sir Simon Rattle Herbert Blomstedt Bernard Haitink Sir Simon Rattle Gustavo Dudamel Christian Thielemann Claudio Abbado Yutaka Sado Seiji Ozawa Vladimir Jurowski Peter Eoetvoes

Don Carlo (Don Carlos) is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi, with libretto by Angelo Zanardini. It was composed between 1866 and 1867 and was revised in 1872, originally being a five act opera. It was revised again between 1882 and 1883 becoming a four act opera. The original version premiered on 11 March 1867 at the Opéra in Paris and the revised version premiered on 10 January 1884 at La Scala in Milan.

Il Turco in Italia (The Turk in Italy) is an opera in two acts by Gioachino Rossini, with Italian language libretto by Felice Romani. It was a re-working of a libretto by Caterino Mazzolà set as an opera (with the same title) by the German composer Frans Seydelmann in 1788. It was composed in 1814 and premiered at La Scala in Milan on 14 August 1814.

Synopsis

Act 1

A poet is searching for a plot for a drama buffo and meets a band of Gypsies, including the beautiful but unhappy Zaida and her confidant Albazar. Perhaps the Gypsies can provide some ideas? The poet's friend, the obstinate and sometimes foolish Geronio, is looking for a fortune teller to advise him on his marital problems, but the Gypsies tease him. Zaida tells the poet that she is from a Turkish harem. She and her master prince Selim were in love, but jealous rivals accused her of infidelity and she had to flee for her life, accompanied by Albazar. Nevertheless she still loves only one man and that man is Selim. The poet knows that a Turkish prince will shortly be arriving in Italy. Perhaps he can help? Geronio's capricious young wife Fiorilla enters singing (in contrast to Zaida) of the joys of free and unfettered love. A Turkish ship arrives and the prince disembarks. It is Selim (bass) himself. Fiorilla is immediately attracted to the handsome Turk, and a romance rapidly develops. Narciso (tenor) appears in her pursuit. He is an ineffectual admirer of Fiorilla posing as a friend of her husband. Geronio follows, horrified to learn that Fiorilla is taking the Turk home to drink his coffee!

The scene changes to Geronio's house where Fiorilla and Selim are flirting. Geronio enters timidly and Selim is initially impressed by his unexpected meekness, however Narciso noisily scolds Geronio. The domestic menage irritates Selim and he leaves after quietly arranging to meet Fiorilla again by his ship. Geronio tells Fiorilla he will not allow any more Turks - or Italians - in his house. She sweetly undermines his complaints, and then, when he softens, threatens to punish him by enjoying herself even more wildly.

Back at the sea shore, it is now night. Selim is waiting for Fiorilla. Instead he meets Zaida. The former lovers are shocked, delighted, and declare once more their mutual love. Narciso re-appears, followed by Fiorilla in disguise, with Geronio in pursuit. Selim confuses the veiled Fiorilla with Zaida and the two women come suddenly face to face. Fiorilla accuses Selim of betrayal. Zaida confronts Fiorilla. Geronio tells his wife to go home. There is a stormy finale.

Act II

Selim approaches Geronio amicably, offering to buy Fiorilla. That way Geronio can be rid of his problems and also make some money. Geronio refuses. Selim vows to steal her instead. After they leave, Fiorilla and a group of her friends appear, followed by Zaida. Fiorilla has set up a meeting between them and Selim, so that the Turk will be forced to decide between the two women. In the event he is indecisive, not wishing to lose either of them. Zaida leaves in disgust. Selim and Fiorilla quarrel but are eventually reconciled. As the poet tells Geronio, there is going to be a party. Fiorilla will be there to meet Selim, who will be masked. Geronio should also go - disguised as a Turk! Narciso overhears this; he will take advantage of the situation to take Fiorilla himself, in revenge for her former indifference. Geronio laments his destiny, that he should have such a terrible, crazy wife. Albazar passes by holding a costume - for Zaida!

The scene changes to a ballroom with masqueraders and dancers. Fiorilla mistakes Narciso for Selim and Narciso leads her away. Meanwhile Selim enters with Zaida, under the impression that she is Fiorilla. Geronio is in utter despair at finding two couples and two Fiorillas! Narciso and Selim both entreat their partners to leave with them. Confused and angry, Geronio attempts to stop both couples, but they eventually escape.

Back at the inn, the poet meets Geronio. They now know that Selim was with Zaida and guess that Fiorilla was with Narciso. Albazar confirms that Selim will definitely stay with Zaida. The poet advises Geronio to have his revenge on Fiorilla by pretending to divorce her and threatening to send her back to her family. Having discovered Narciso's deception, Fiorilla tries to find Selim, but he has already left with Zaida. She returns home only to find the divorce letter and her belongings being removed from the house. She is devastated by shame, and promptly deserted by her friends.

Returning again to the beach, Selim and Zaida are about to set sail for Turkey, while Fiorilla is looking for a boat to take her back to her home town. Geronio finds and forgives her. They are affectionately reconciled. Both couples are now reunited and the poet is delighted with his happy ending.

L’elisir d’amore (The Love Potion or The Elixir of Love) is an opera in two acts by Gaetano Donizetti, with libretto by Felice Romani. It was composed in 1832 and premiered on 12 May 1832 at the Teatro Canobbiana in Milan.

A weekend in an Italian mountain village: Giannetta, a young bus driver who has ambitions of becoming a director, wants to stage a masque with the people of the village.

The villagers have chosen Nemorino, a young laborer, to play the leading role. He has loved Adina, the village's lively waitress, since his school days and he is teased constantly about his futile efforts to win her.

The postman Belcore takes on the role of his adversary. He plays an officer of the Alpini mountain troops and makes a desperate attempt to save his reputation as the village charmer in the part. The waitress brings a cheap novel about Tristan and Isolde and the passion triggered by the love potion they drank, to the first rehearsal. She introduces a lot of confusion into the plot with the story, confusing Nemorino in particular, who thinks it applies to his own situation.

The village priest, Dulcamara, owes it to his position to play a role in the masque as well. Moreover, since he doesn't like the communion wine that was recently delivered, he donates it to the play. And while the entire village enjoys the free wine, Nemorino waits for the magic potion to take effect.

Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) is an opera buffa in two acts by Gioachino Rossini with a libretto by Cesare Sterbini. The première (under the title Almaviva, or the Useless Precaution) took place on 20 February 1816 at the Teatro Argentina, Rome and though an infamous flop, The Barber of Seville has become a standard of comic opera repertory.

A mixed programme of four ballets: The Second Detail (choreographed by William Forsythe), The Grey Area (choreographed by David Dawson), No Thumb (choreographed by Pascal Touzeau) and Empty House (choreographed by Johan Inger).

Is an opera in one act by Othmar Schoeck, with libretto by the composer, after the tragedy by Heinrich von Kleist.

Achilles has defeated Penthesilea in battle. However, captivated by the female warrior, he pretends to have lost the battle in order to win her hand (the law states that the queen of the Amazons can only give herself to a man whom she has conquered in battle).

Penthesilea, thus fooled, is consumed by her love for Achilles. This quickly turns to a savage hate when he reveals the truth. A further battle ends in catastrophe. Penthesilea kills her former lover, unaware that he stands unarmed in order – in defeat – to secure their happiness together.

Too late she learns of this proof of his love and dies over his mutilated body. The struggle for love between the two protagonists is at the core of the opera, illustrating the battle of the sexes and the shifting arc of emotions from love to hate. A further (love) motive is the triumph of the victor over the defeated.

Opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi

How deeply the fate of court jester Rigoletto and his sheltered daughter Gilda moves us! The opera was enthusiastically received at its premier performance in 1851 at Teatro La Fenice in Venice. Today, the opera continues to draw those who would always gladly be moved by Giuseppe Verdi’s melody of a futile quest for a little bit of happiness and the tragic experiences associated with this pursuit.

Rigoletto wants nothing more than retreating into a happy private life with his daughter after finishing his service to the court. Through his activities for the Duke of Mantua, he catches on to the thoughtless amusements, knows the pastimes of those who have it too good and who take too much. Lacking any awareness of wrongdoing, they have no concept of sympathy, simply because they defer to nothing and to no one. They are the law for they have the power. Rigoletto will at times join in, because it is the world in which he earns a living for himself and his motherless daughter. But then he flees into the purity of his domesticity. Which he can only maintain by keeping his private life strictly separated from his social one and raising Gilda isolated from the public eye. But isolation has its price: in church, the only public place she is allowed to go, Gilda meets the love of her life. For those not familiar with the story: her beloved is the duke himself, although incognito pretending to be a student. And Rigoletto, envied and hated by the others, unknowingly becomes the helper and accomplice in the abduction of his own daughter, bound for the Duke’s sleeping chambers. He swears revenge on the duke and arranges for his assassination.

Gilda learns of the conspiracy to murder the duke and follows her new life plan, modelled on not clinging but rather selflessly protecting – she sacrifices her life for her unfaithful beloved. She is inspired by an idealism known only to those who confront life with illusions. Fleeing through a life unknown for love, she is unprepared for it and destined to perish. Seeing his daughter dying instead of the duke destroys Rigoletto’s life.

What a dark panorama of the world unfolds in this opera!

The story’s poetic basis is Victor Hugo’s drama Le roi s’amuse. The premiere performance of the drama in 1832 caused a considerable stir, Verdi and his librettist Francesco Maria Piave were plagued by censorship: a governing sovereign, Francis I of France, was not permitted to appear on stage as a debauchee. Verdi sprinkled name changes for the main figures throughout his work and set it in a different place and time. And he made the court jester the title hero. And yet his peers would certainly not have had any trouble understanding the message as being contemporary.

With Rigoletto, Verdi, who himself lost two children in a short period of time and who was regarded as a politically and socially committed artist, created a musical drama of a world filled with justice and injustice in the face of misuse of power and self-serving love cutting deeply through life’s social strata and confines. Whether his figures are entirely guilty or only innocently guilty, they are trapped as if before a mirror. They are people with all their good as well as their bad sides. But there is also a woman – as laer in Il Trovatore and La Traviata – befallen by injustice on which she bases her love, her idealistic dreams of happiness maturing just as vaguely as the more or less realistic illusions of life held by the men.

Making his name not only as a true genius of Italian opera, but also as an inventive author of finest recipes, Gioacchino Rossini has predicted the glorious future for his Il barbiere di Siviglia whose premiere was met with scandalous disapproval. To all appearances he was right! Its second performance in 1816 marked the beginning of the triumphant march of Il barbiere di Siviglia on the world's major and minor opera stages. It received its first Lithuanian production in 1924 to be followed by numerous subsequent productions in Kaunas, Vilnius and Klaipeda. During the WWII and in postwar years it was produced by the short-lived Vilnius Opera company (1941-4) in 1944 and by the emigrant members of our theatre in Detmold in 1947.

Playful, tuneful, brimming with intriguing situations and chipper wit, Rossini's opera is a perfect spectacle for all comers. Il Barbiere di Siviglia Gioachino Rossini

ACT I.
Seville, 1800s. At night, Count Almaviva brings a band of musicians to serenade Rosina, ward of Dr. Bartolo, who keeps the girl confined in his house. When Rosina fails to answer his song, the count pays the players, and they leave. At the sound of Figaro's voice, Almaviva steps away as the barber bounds in, boasting of his busy life as the neighborhood factotum. Figaro, though currently in Bartolo's employ, encounters Almaviva and promises to help him win Rosina - for a suitable reward. No sooner has Bartolo left the house to arrange his own marriage with Rosina than Almaviva launches into a second serenade, calling himself "Lindoro," a poor creature who can offer only love. Figaro suggests Almaviva disguise himself as a drunken soldier billeted to Bartolo's house. Alone in the house, Rosina muses on the voice that has touched her heart and resolves to outwit Bartolo. Figaro joins her, but they leave on hearing footsteps. Bartolo enters with the music master, Don Basilio, who tells him Almaviva is a rival for Rosina's hand and advises slandering the nobleman's reputation. Bartolo agrees, but Figaro overhears them. Warning Rosina that Bartolo plans to marry her himself the very next day, the barber promises to deliver a note she has written to "Lindoro." Rosina, alone with Bartolo, undergoes an interrogation, then listens to his boast that he is far too clever to be tricked. Berta, the housekeeper, answers violent knocking at the door, returning with Almaviva disguised as a drunken soldier in search of lodging. While arguing with Bartolo, Almaviva manages to slip a love letter to Rosina. But when Bartolo demands to see the letter, the girl substitutes a laundry list. Figaro dashes in to warn that their hubbub has attracted a crowd. Police arrive to silence the disturbance. As an officer is about to arrest him, Almaviva whispers his identity and is released. Rosina, Berta, Bartolo and Basilio are stupefied by everything that is happening.

ACT II.
Bartolo receives a young music teacher, "Don Alonso" (again Almaviva in disguise), who claims to be a substitute for the ailing Basilio. Rosina enters, recognizes her suitor and begins her singing lesson as Bartolo dozes in his chair. Figaro arrives to shave the doctor and manages to steal the key to the balcony window. Basilio now comes in, looking the picture of health; bribed by Almaviva, he feigns illness and departs. Figaro shaves Bartolo while Almaviva and Rosina plan their elopement that night. They are overheard by the doctor, who drives Figaro and Almaviva from the house and Rosina to her room, then sends again for Basilio. Berta, unnerved by all the confusion, complains she is going mad. Bartolo dispatches Basilio for a notary, then tricks Rosina into believing "Lindoro" is really a flunky of Almaviva. After a thunderstorm, Almaviva arrives with Figaro and climbs through a balcony window to abduct Rosina. At first the girl rebuffs "Lindoro," but when he explains that he and Almaviva are one and the same, she falls into his arms. Figaro urges haste, but before they can leave, their ladder is taken away. Basilio enters with the notary. Though summoned to wed Rosina and Bartolo, the official marries her instead to Almaviva, who bribes Basilio. Rushing in too late, Bartolo finds the lovers already wed. When Almaviva allows him to keep Rosina's dowry, the old man accepts the situation.

Performed in Italian with German surtitles!!

'Giselle' is considered an undisputable masterpiece of the classical, or romantic ballet. For over 160 years it has been part of the repertoire of great theatres and it has not lost any of its fascination.

More than dance, Giselle loves the unknown Albrecht, who strongly reciprocates her love. In between a girl and a woman, she experiences for the first time the passionate longing of a love which does not yet know mistrust, disappointment and loss. But the recently awoken feelings are not well-fated. In a single moment, Giselle has to understand that Albrecht is already taken. Giselle's heart is broken. But does this ruin her? Climbing over into the mysterious and dreaded world of the legendary Willis, Giselle resists gratification and revenge. Omnia vincit amor. Love conquers all.

But 'Giselle' is much more than just the tragic account of an unhappy love. Its richness in analogies and metaphors time and again drives choreographers to search for new renderings. 'Giselle' is Dawson's first classical ballet d'action. 'With my interpretation of 'Giselle' I intend to create a new, up-to-date approach and retell the story in the language of my generation. 'Giselle' is a ballet that redefined, and to a certain point even reinvented dance and its language in the Romantic era. Whenever I look at this ballet in its historical context I realize how much the artists of that time questioned the established rules of the past and actually experimented with new ways of doing things. For me 'Giselle' essentially embodies the expression of duality, duplicity and fate and plays within a world full of poetical mysteries, ethereal beauty, dangerous love and a premature death. A world of fantasy and imagination. And it is about dance, about dance in itself and its vast, complex meaning. This dance is emotional and expressive. I would like to contribute with my own style and its language of movements to rediscover this love story for our time.'

'A Million Kisses to my Skin: an intoxicating work which manages to bring Bach’s First Piano Concerto in D Minor to song.' (Jenny Stevenson) The dancers stretch their limbs as far as possible and the emphasis is on asymmetry, angular turns and the broken line. They perform a precision dance to a complex score, infatuated with their movements. The bodies whirl through the air and the dancers use this unique opportunity to show all they can do in this whirlwind of a choreography. It almost seems as if they spend more time in the air than on the ground.

German opera in two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Overture

The Three Boys are playing at dice to decide the outcome of Tamino’s fate.

Act I

The sight of a woman and appearance of a huge serpent cause Tamino to faint.

The Three Ladies, attendants of the Queen of the Night, come to Tamino’s aid and play with him.

Tamino awakes and sees the birdcatcher Papageno. He wants to bring the birds that he catches to the Queen in exchange for food and drink.

Tamino reveals that he is a prince. Papageno boasts that he strangled the serpent and the Three Ladies punish him.

They give Tamino a portrait of the Queen’s daughter, Pamina. It is love at first sight. When he learns that the maiden was abducted by the tyrant Sarastro, he vows to rescue her. The Queen appears. She encourages Tamino’s resolution and promises that he can marry Pamina in return.

Tamino and Papageno are given a magic flute and magic bells to protect them. The Three Boys are to guide them on their way.

The slaves in Sarastro’s kingdom are pleased. It seems that Pamina has escaped her persecutor, the Moor Monostatos. But Monostatos has already recaptured the maiden and scares off the slaves so he can be alone with her. Just as he is about to approach her, Monostatos encounters Papageno, sent ahead by Tamino. Both are terrified by each other and run away but Papageno returns to Pamina and tells her of their plan to free her. Together they praise love as the fulfilment of human existence.

Tamino, guided by the Three Boys, has meanwhile entered the inner temple where he meets one of the first attendants of the brotherhood. This priest advises him to examine impartially the reasons for Sarastro’s abduction of Pamina. Confused, Tamino remains behind and tries to find Pamina by playing the magic flute. But he only hears Papageno’s flute in reply and follows the sound.

Fleeing, Pamina and Papageno are surprised by Monostatos and the slaves but they are saved from capture by the power of the magic bells. The arrival of Sarastro is announced. Before him, Pamina confesses that she was trying to escape, justifying herself by saying: "The evil Moor had demanded her love." Sarastro insists that she remain under his rule because this is the only way for her to escape her mother’s influence: "A man must guide your hearts, without a man any woman leaves his circle of influence." He punishes Monostatos, even though the Moor can pride himself on capturing Tamino. Tamino and Pamina meet for the first time. Sarastro has the strangers taken away to be "cleansed" for the trials.

Act II

At the meeting of the brotherhood, Sarastro announces his decision to marry Tamino and Pamina as soon as Tamino complies with the brotherhood’s laws. He therefore orders a series of trials - without regard for danger of death. Tamino is willing immediately but Papageno is only convinced when he is promised a wife. Tamino and Pamina are separated from each other.

Tamino and Papageno are led to the first trial with the warning to avoid the "temptation of women". They have to maintain a vow of silence in any situation. The Queen’s Three Ladies enter Sarastro’s kingdom and try to persuade Tamino and Papageno to flee.

The amorous Monostatos wants to kiss Pamina while she lies asleep. He is thwarted by the Queen of the Night. She demands that Pamina kill Sarastro to gain possession of the powerful sun circle which her husband had withheld from her on his death and had given to the brotherhood. The Queen threatens to cast her daughter out for ever if she disobeys. Monostatos overhears this and tries to force Pamina’s love by blackmailing her.

Sarastro appears and prevents Monostatos from killing Pamina who refuses to give in to him. Sarastro promises Pamina that he will not take revenge on her mother. Monostatos decides to obtain his objective by allying himself with the Queen of the Night.

Papageno cannot hold his tongue. Speaking to an old woman, he learns that she wants to be his bride. Before he realises who she is, the old woman disappears.

The Three Boys bring Tamino and Papageno food and magical instruments which Sarastro had previously confiscated. While Papageno savours the food, Tamino plays his flute; the sound brings Pamina to him. Pamina cannot understand his silence, she believes he no longer loves her.

Papageno searches despairingly for Papagena. His pain too makes him want to kill himself. The Three Boys prevent him from committing suicide and remind Papageno that he can use the magical power of his bells to summon Papagena.

Monostatos is allied with the Queen and her Ladies. Together they plan to overturn Sarastro’s rule. As a reward, the Queen promises her daughter to the Moor. But the superior brotherhood triumphs over the conspirators. Sarastro appears to have reached the pinnacle of his desires: he hands over power to Pamina and Tamino.

Papageno does not wish to become a member of the brotherhood. His wish is for a maiden, and the old woman appears again. She emerges as the young Papagena but once again the two are separated from each other.

Left alone, Pamina tries to commit suicide. The Three Boys save her and tell her of Tamino’s undiminished love.

Two harnessed men prepare Tamino for the last big trial. Pamina wants to accompany him through the difficult trial of fire and water, and tells him to play his flute. The power of the music protects them from any danger. Together Pamina and Tamino pass the trial and make their way to the temple.

The Queen of the Night, her Ladies and the defecting Moor enter the temple to kill Sarastro. They are engulfed in eternal darkness in a clap of thunder and lightening. At the head of his priests, Sarastro blesses Tamino and Pamina. They enter the temple and are initiated into the brotherhood.

Act I

A hurricane threatens the holiday island of Cyprus, a military bastion in the Mediterranean strategically important for the Republic of Venice. The Venetian fleet under its commander Otello is in the midst of the hurricane. People on the beach appeal to God in fear of their imminent destruction. In the middle of this chaos are Cassio, recently promoted to Captain by Otello, and Montano, Otellos predecessor in office. Standing apart is Ensign Iago, who had hoped to be promoted rather than Cassio, and is now plotting Otellos downfall. He sees a potential ally in the Venetian gentleman Rodrigo who is in love with Otellos wife Desdemona. Otellos death could clear the way for him. Loud cheers announce that Otello has landed unharmed. The storm abates. The great victor suddenly appears. The world returns to normal, and there is a great celebration in honour of Otellos safe return. Iago wins over Rodrigo as an ally in pursuing his hate for Otello. They make Cassio drunk, and provoke him. A row instigated by Iago erupts, and as expected Otello puts an end to the uproar which has awoken him and Desdemona. Otello establishes order and demotes Cassio. The peace which now returns to the night belongs to Otello and Desdemona.

Act II

Iago gains Cassios trust. He sends him to Desdemona to win her over as intercessor with Otello. Left alone, he spits out his disgust of a senseless world. In a world where God is not visible, Iago makes himself God, from whom there is no escape. His strategy starts to work: Cassio speaks to Desdemona, and he succeeds in arousing Otellos mistrust of her. But first Otello is confronted with a blissful image: Desdemona amidst people who render her homage. When Desdemona speaks to him about Cassio, his mistrust develops. He rebuffs her. Iago too humiliates his own wife Emilia who is giving Desdemona her support. Otello retreats within himself at the sorrow of losing such trust. He demands that Iago produce evidence of his wifes betrayal. Iago invents an erotic dream as evidence of Cassios love for Desdemona. Otello makes Iago his blood brother, and swears with him to take revenge for such a disgrace.

Act III

The pending arrival of the Venetian legation is of no interest to Otello. He listens closely to Iago who devises traps for Cassio and Desdemona. Desdemonas unexpected visit to Otello is a welcome interruption. Following Iagos instructions, he turns the conversation to the handkerchief she has lost. But Desdemona pleads again for clemency for Cassio. Her words wound Otello deeply. He is convinced of her betrayal and wallows in self-pity. Cassios death is decided. Iago shows Otello a hiding place where he can overhear a conversation arranged with Cassio. Otello hears only snatches of the conversation which he takes to be insinuations about Desdemona, and catches sight of her handkerchief in Cassios hand. Otello believes he now has the required proof. Iago and Otello decide to murder Desdemona. Otello promotes Iago to Captain. The Venetian legation arrives, headed by Lodovico on behalf of the Doge. Desdemona pleads again for Cassio. Otello humiliates her in front of the company and, instructed by the Venetians, announces that Cassio is to succeed him as governor. Iago presses Otello to kill Desdemona and sends Rodrigo to murder Cassio. Otello breaks down. Iago is triumphant.

Act IV

Desdemona withdraws to her inner world. Emilia is unable to disburden her. Desdemona recalls the story of the Life and Death of a Woman. She prepares to take leave of the world. Otello arrives to kill her. Desdemona defends her innocence and her love. Otello does not believe her. He murders her. Emilia discovers the murder and summons witnesses. When Otello tries to justify his deed, with her handkerchief in Cassios hand as proof of Desdemonas unfaithfulness, Emilia discovers her husbands guilt. She pays for this with her life. Cassio has thwarted Rodrigos attempt on his life. Otello ends the life he has lost.

First Act
Mustafas wife Elvira complains about her fate: she has been cast out by the Bey. The eunuchs, Zulma and Captain Haly vainly try to comfort her. Mustafa has become weary of Elvira and his harem ladies he now desires an Italian woman and Haly needs to obtain her at the cost of his life. Lindoro longs for a reunion with his beloved Isabella. But Mustafa wants to fulfill Lindoros desire to return to Italy only under the condition that he marries Elvira and takes her with him. He thus tries to make his own wife palatable to the embarrassingly touched Lindoro.

Another ship has been captured; at first, Isabella, who is in search of Lindoro, is presented as a hostage. Although she complains about her lot, she hopes at the same time to make the best of the situation. Her companion Taddeo, who is in love with her, pretends to be Isabellas uncle and affects jealousy during his first official act at Mustafas Court. In the meantime, Mustafa has learned of the beautiful hostage from Haly; he is wild to get a glimpse of Isabella. In the interim, Elvira and Lindoro have accepted their fate. The clever Isabella understands from the first moment how to wrap Mustafa around her finger; she thus saves Taddeo from death by impaling. Lindoro, who appears before the Bey together with Elvira and Zulma in order to take leave, recognizes Isabella. Suddenly, there is a great deal of confusion

Second Act
Elvira unsuccessfully tries the European style in order to impress the Bey. But Mustafa wants to drink coffee alone with Isabella, and sends Elvira to inform her. Meanwhile, Lindoro and Isabella have decided to escape together. In order to stealthily procure Isabellas favor, Mustafa appoints Taddeo as Lord Kaimakan. This is rather embarrassing to Taddeo, but he willingly accepts it in the face of the threat of being impaled. Mustafa does not succeed in having an undisturbed rendezvous with Isabella. Lindoro and Taddeo cast a watchful eye on them. To make matters even worse, Isabella even invites Elvira to coffee, which totally upsets the Bey.

Lindoro informs the obtuse Taddeo of the escape plan and pacifies the irritated Bey: As a sign of her love, Isabella wants to appoint the Bey as a pappataci, an honor that involves a life consisting only of eating, drinking and sleeping. Mustafa is ecstatic and is happy to be included in the guild. All the Italian slaves on the property of the Bey are to be freed; naturally, they are happy to support Lindoros and Isabellas plan. They are all looking forward to seeing their homeland Italy again; only Taddeo does not have the slightest idea of what is going on. Mustafa is appointed as pappataci and must swear to scrupulously obey all the rules of the guild. Whatever may happen, he must not let himself be distracted from eating and drinking. Lindoro and Isabella can now flee without being caught; Taddeo, who has finally figured it out, goes with them onto the ship. Mustafa recognizes too late that he had been fooled; he remorsefully returns to Elvira and wishes the clever Italians a good trip.

Phantasialand, Europe's most popular entertainment park, offers, as is its custom, the very best in entertainment for the whole family. All six theme areas in Phantasialand have top attractions, such as Winja's Fear and Winja's Force, the indoor spinning coasters in Wuze Town, the Colorado Adventure ghost train roller coaster in Silver City, the 65-meter-high Mystery Castle freefall tower and the River Quest rafting ride, Feng Ju Palace, the mystifying madhouse in China Town, and the Galaxy flight simulator in Old Berlin.

Those who prefer less commotion can relax on peaceful rides such as the Waltzing Dream and the Steam Carousel, enjoy culinary treats in one of the park's many theme restaurants or delight in the merry antics of the Living Characters in their colorful costumes and take in the fantastic shows, in particular the Arachnomé Winter Garden Show. Like its predecessor, "L’ar(c)tistique", "Arachnomé" has been chosen by the IAAPA as one of the best theme park shows in the world.

Winterdream

The Phantasialand winter dream is a real dream!

More winter? Nowhere! Genuine snow, a dreamlike atmosphere and unique novelties are guaranteed! More than a thousand Christmas trees are shining, lights are sparkling and the smell of gingerbread fills the air! Here, a winter dream comes true - for the whole family! For everybody!

Tour Info

Exchange this voucher at the box office on arrival.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL children under 7 years of age receive FREE ENTRY during 2010

HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS: Children must be between 1-1.45metres.

With this exclusive packaged hotel deal you will receive ticket(s) to "Europa Park Resort " and accommodation at the Hotel Colosseo.

At Europa-Park, the vision of a united continent has taken shape a long time ago. Discover the most beautiful European countries first hand. Here, Europe is not just a spot on the map, it comes alive in the hearts of the guests.

Germany: An excursion into German history

Italy: The realization of the European themed concept began in 1981 with the construction of this themed area. And till today, the Italian themed area has lost nothing of its Mediterranean charm.

England: Welcome to Merry Old England! A triumphal arch, an elegant glass pavilion, the nostalgic merry-go-round with its antique hand-carved horses and the majestic statue of Queen Victoria.

France: Bonjour! Welcome to the French themed area! Enjoy the scent of freshly baked bread and hot crpes in the Quartier Franais with its typical French flair.

Holland and Chocoland: Big adventures and picturesque sceneries. Windmills belong to Holland - this is why a stately windmill is situated in the picturesque Dutch village at Europa-Park. But those who have a glimpse behind the scenes, also discover a real land of adventures!

Greece: The land of the Gods: Welcome to Mykonos! Stroll through the typical Greek village and enjoy our neighbours Mediterranean joy of living.

Russia: From outer space straight to the czarist realm: After visiting the original MIR space station and the high-speed roller coaster Euro-Mir, which is named after the space station, you get to the Russian village, where you come across the cultural diversity of Eastern Europe.

Scandanavia: The marketplace with its beautiful Reindeer-Fountain always bustles with activity. The view of the colourful wooden houses along a roaring torrent and the Norvegian stave church, where you can even get married, is just breathtaking.

Spain: White faades, picturesque little towers, large flower beds on the plaza, richly ornamented balconies, fayences and azulejos those who stroll through the Spanish themed area will inevitably feel as if being in Sevilla.

Austria: Over hill and dale in the Austrian themed area. A splashing ride is waiting for you in the Tirol Log Flume. First, you glide slowly through a diamond cave in a hollow tree trunk. Then you are pulled up and race down a roaring torrent.

Children's World: A whole world for children at Europa-Park: the NIVEA Childrens World has turned into a beautiful scenery with lots of water, dunes, white sand and an original fishing cutter! While you relax on the sun deck, your little ones can play on a fun dune or set sail in the NIVEA Paddlers Tour or in little Childrens Boats.

Portugal: Europa-Park follows in the footsteps of the most famous discoverers - off to new shores towards Portugal. After a fast paced ride with turbulent rotations in dizzy heights, the 16 "crew members" plunge into a gigantic wave. A true challenge lies ahead.

Switzerland: a fantastic fun area representing our Swiss friends with wonderful attractions such as a balloon ride, Jungfrau-Gletscherflieger plane rides, Matterhorn Blitz, Swiss Bob Run, and Valasian Village.

Adventureland: Truely a proper adventure! Choose from Dwarf City, Fairy Tale Alley, Hydroelectric Power Station, Jungle Rafts, Mississippi Steamer and Stagecoach - or be a true adventurer and go on them all!

Street artists
Performances of all kinds are offered throughout the whole park

Shows and special performances
Leaflets with the show-times are available as you enter the park from the parking area. You can also find them posted in the local areas around the park.

Restaurants
You can choose from over 30 different restaurants and fast food places with over 5000 seats

Tour Info

Times: Every day from 9:00am - 6:00pm

Winter Season: 28th November - 10th January

Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) is on opera in two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with libretto by Emanuel Schinkaneder. It was composed in 1791 and premiered on 30 September 1791 at the Freihausttheater auf der Wieden in Vienna.

The gypsy Carmen is, alongside Salome, the apotheosis of the femme fatale, the murderess of men.

Jose, an outsider, has discarded his comfortable life and fiancee Micaela in order to follow the beguiling Carmen.

For her, however, freedom is paramount. After a short time Carmen leaves Jose for the bullfighter Escamillo.

The jilted lover cannot bear his loss. At a bull fight the three protagonists meet, and while the crowds cheer Escamillo’s triumph in the arena, Jose stabs Carmen to death.

The Venusberg (the Hörselberg of "Frau Holda" in Thüringia, in the vicinity of Eisenach.) Tannhäuser is held there a willing captive through his love for Venus. (Ballet scene; bacchanalian music.) Following the orgy of the ballet, Tannhäuser's desires are finally satiated, and he longs for freedom, spring and the sound of church bells. Once again he takes up his harp and pays homage to the goddess in a passionate love song, which he ends with an earnest plea to be allowed to depart. When Venus again tries to charm him, he declares: "My salvation rests in Mary, the mother of God." These words break the unholy spell. Venus and her attendants disappear, and he suddenly finds himself just below the Wartburg. It is springtime; a young shepherd sits upon a rock and pipes an ode to spring; pilgrims in procession pass Tannhäuser as he stands motionless, and he sinks to his knees, overcome with gratitude. He is discovered by the landgrave and his companions, Wolfram, Walter, Biterolf, Reimar, and Heinrich. They joyfully welcome the young singer, who had originally fled from the court because he was shamefully bested in the prize-singing contest. He initially refuses to join them, but when Wolfram informs him that his song has gained for him the heart of Elizabeth, he relents and follows the landgrave and the singers to the Wartburg.

Hall of the Wartburg. Elizabeth has been living retired from the world since Tannhäuser's disappearance. When she hears of his return, she joyfully agrees to be present at a prize contest of song, and enters the hall. Wolfram leads Tannhäuser to her; he loves her, but dares not tell her the evil he has done. The landgrave and Elizabeth receive the guests who assemble for the contest, the noblemen of the neighbourhood, who appear in rich attire. (March and chorus.) The landgrave announces the subject of the contestants' songs is to be "love's awakening". Elizabeth will grant the victor one wish, whatever it may be. Wolfram performs first; he declares that love is like a pure stream, which should never be troubled. Tannhäuser replies hotly that he finds the highest love only in the pleasure of the senses. The other singers uphold Wolfram. Tannhäuser replies to each separately, and at last in growing excitement he answers Wolfram with a love song to Venus, and declares that if the knights wish to know love as it is they should repair to the Venusberg. The women, with the exception of Elizabeth, leave the hall in horror, and the knights draw swords upon Tannhäuser. Elizabeth protects him, and since he expresses his penitence, the landgrave allows him to join a band of pilgrims bound for Rome, where he may perhaps obtain forgiveness from the pope.

An opera in three acts by Giacomo Puccini with libretto by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa and based on Victorien Sardou's drama, La Tosca. It premiered at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome on 14 January 1900.

It's a story we all know from our childhood. The good fairies arrive at Princess Aurora's christening, bringing good wishes and wonderful gifts. Just as the Lilac Fairy is about to present her gift, the wicked fairy Carabosse appears and utters a terrible curse Central to the plot is the hundred-year sleep of Aurora, symbolising the transition from childhood to adulthood. Marius Petipa's The Sleeping Beauty with its wealth of choreographic dance highlights represents the very summit of classical ballet. The enduring success of this masterpiece is due in no small measure to the brilliant musical score by Peter Tchaikovsky.

(In English The Abduction from the Seraglio; also known as Il Seraglio) is an opera Singspiel in three acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The German libretto is by Christoph Friedrich Bretzner with adaptations by Gottlieb Stephanie. The plot concerns the attempt of the hero Belmonte, assisted by his servant Pedrillo, to rescue his beloved Konstanze from the seraglio of the Pasha Selim.

Act 1

Belmonte seeks everywhere his betrothed, Konstanze, who with her English servant Blondchen has fallen into the hands of pirates who sold them to the Pasha Selim (Aria: "Here shall I see you, Konstanze, you my hope.") Osmin, the Pasha's servant, comes to pluck figs in the garden and completely ignores Belmonte's addresses (Aria: "Who a love has found.") Belmonte insists and tries to obtain news of his servant, Pedrillo. (Duet: "Confounded be you and your song.") Osmin is angry. ("Such ragamuffins.") Nevertheless, after the servant leaves, Belmonte meets Pedrillo and they resolve to abduct Konstanze. (Aria: "Konstanze, Konstanze, to see thee again").

Accompanied by a chorus of Janissaries ("Sing to the great Pasha") Selim appears with Konstanze, for whose love he strives in vain. (Aria of Konstanze: "O forgive! Oh, I loved") Upon the recommendation of Pedrillo, the Pasha engages Belmonte as builder, but Osmin refuses him access to the palace. (Terzett: "March! March! March!")

Act 2

Blondchen repulses the rough lovemaking attempts of Osmin. (Aria: "By tenderness and flattery.") After a duet ("I go, but counsel thee to avoid the villain Pedrillo"), Osmin departs. Konstanze greets Blondchen in distress (Aria: "Sorrow has become my lot"), informing her that Selim demands her love and threatens to use force. (Aria: "This also will I bear.")

When she has gone, Pedrillo comes to Blondchen, who is his sweetheart, and informs her that Belmonte is near and that all is ready for flight. Blondchen is filled with joy. (Aria: "What happiness, what delight.") Pedrillo invites Osmin to drink, hoping that he will become intoxicated. (Aria: "On to the combat" and duet: "Vivat Bacchus!") He succeeds in this plan and gets Osmin out of the way so that Belmonte again sees his beloved Konstanze. (Quartet, Belmonte, Konstanze, Pedrillo, Blondchen: "Oh, Belmonte, oh my life.")

Act 3

Belmonte and Pedrillo come to the garden with ladders. (Aria, Belmonte: "When the tears of joy do fall"; Romanze, Pedrillo: "Captive in the land of the Moors.") Belmonte succeeds in abducting Konstanze, but when Pedrillo is about to escape with Blondchen, they are caught by Osmin (Aria: "Ho, how I will triumph"), and Belmonte and Konstanze are also brought back by the guard. Belmonte pleading for their lives announces to Selim Pasha that his father is a Spanish Grandee and Governor of Oran who will pay a huge ransom, on hearing the name of Belmonte's father, Selim Pasha declares Belmonte the son of his greatest enemy, and rejoices on how fortune has handed him a chance for vengeance. (Duet: "Oh what a fate, oh soul's misery.") His heart, however, is touched by their sorrow; he forgives, and all are set at liberty - much to the dismay of Osmin, who would prefer to see them all brutally executed. (Finale: "Never will I thy kindness forget.")

Wagner turns his attention to British mythology with this opera of chivalry and true love.

ACT I.
The legend of Tristan and Isolde (Tristram and Iseult) takes place during the Middle Ages, when knighthood and the chivalric code prevailed. On board ship from Ireland to Cornwall, a sailor's voice resounds from the rigging. His song about an Irish girl annoys the fiery Isolde, who is being taken by Tristan as bride for his uncle, King Marke. Isolde wishes the ship would sink rather than take her to her hated destination. Her companion, Brangäne, tries in vain to calm her. Instead Isolde is enraged by the knight Tristan, whom she sees standing on the afterdeck, avoiding her: by delivering her to his uncle, he shows no regard for her feelings. She sends Brangäne to summon Tristan, who sends back courtly, evasive replies. His plainspoken companion, Kurwenal, however, tells Brangäne that Tristan is not a vassal to answer Isolde's beck and call. Embarrassed by this outburst, Tristan sends Kurwenal away, but not before the latter has intoned an insolent verse about Isolde's fiancé, Morold, whom Tristan killed in combat some time before. Sailors pick up the refrain as the crestfallen Brangäne returns to the furious Isolde, who recalls that after Tristan came to Ireland to collect taxes for King Marke and killed Morold, she herself nursed him back to health, using her mother's knowledge of herbs and magic. When she realized he was her fiancé's slayer, she bemoaned her charity — but when he looked lovingly into her eyes, she took pity on him. Now he delivers her like a chattel to his uncle.

She hurls forth a curse on his head and wishes death for both of them. Brangäne tries to tell her that it is no dishonor to marry a king and that Tristan is simply performing his duty. Isolde replies darkly that it shows his lack of love for her. When Brangäne reminds Isolde that her mother charged her with secret arts, Isolde tells Brangäne to prepare one of her mother's potions — the one that brings death. Cries from the deck that land is in sight are followed by the arrival of Kurwenal, who bids the women prepare to disembark. Isolde retorts that she will not accompany Tristan until he apologizes to her for his offenses. Kurwenal takes the message to his lord while Isolde forces Brangäne to pour the potion. Tristan appears, greeting Isolde with cool courtesy. When she announces that she wants satisfaction for Morold's death, Tristan offers her his sword, but she will not kill him. This would violate King Marke's hospitality and her own unwilling vows, she replies. Better that she and Tristan make peace with a drink of friendship. Understanding that she means to poison them both, he drinks, and she does the same. Expecting death, they exchange a long look of love instead, then fall into a passionate embrace. Brangäne admits she mixed a love potion as sailors' voices hail the ship's arrival in Cornwall.

Act I
It is the wedding day of Figaro and Susanna. Figaro, the servant of the Count, and Susanna, the maid of the Countess, are measuring the room they have received from the Count to use as their bedroom. Susanna dislikes the room, claiming that it is much too close to the rooms of the Count. She then tells Figaro that the Count has his eye on her. The Countess rings and Susanna departs. Figaro resolves that he will thwart his master's plans.

Dr. Bartolo and Marcellina enter. Figaro is in debt to Marcellina and has promised to marry her if he doesn't repay her. Bartolo rejoices in this opportunity to avenge himself on Figaro, who arranged the elopement of the Count and Rosina (the Countess), whom Bartolo had hoped to marry himself. As Bartolo exits, Susanna enters and has a brief, barbed encounter with Marcellina, who then departs.

Cherubino, the Count's page, dashes in. He explains that the Count discovered him with Barbarina, the daughter of the gardener Antonio, and he will be sent away. He states that he is in love with the Countess as well as every other woman in the palace and asks Susanna to give a song to the Countess. They hear the Count approaching, so Cherubino hides behind an armchair. The Count, thinking that he is alone with Susanna, begins making advances to her until he is interrupted by the arrival of Don Basilio, the music teacher. He conceals himself behind the same chair as Cherubino, who has now moved to the other side and covered himself with a blanket. Basilio gossips about the goings-on in the castle including Cherubino's infatuation with the Countess. The Count becomes angry and reveals himself, discovering Cherubino at the same time. Aware that the boy has overheard his own indiscretions, he vents his anger by giving Cherubino a commission in his Regiment, for which he must leave immediately.

Figaro arrives, carrying Susanna's wedding veil and accompanied by villagers who sing the Count's praises. Figaro thanks the Count for renouncing the wedding-night custom, and asks the Count to give Susanna the veil as a symbol of purity. Count Almaviva says he would prefer to postpone the ceremony until he can celebrate the occasion appropriately. After the villagers leave, both Figaro and Susanna try to persuade the Count to allow Cherubino to stay, but to no avail. Figaro then tells Cherubino about the rigors of military life.

Act II
The Countess mourns her husband's waning affections towards her. Susanna and Figaro enter and tell the Countess that the Count is trying to seduce Susanna. They devise a plan. The Count will be given a note that says that the Countess is having an affair. While the Count is investigating, Figaro and Susanna will be married quickly. At the same time, they will disguise Cherubino as Susanna and arrange a rendezvous with the Count.

Cherubino arrives and begins trying on his disguise. He sings "Voi che sapete," a love song to the Countess. His commission falls out of his uniform and the Countess notices there is no official seal on it. The Count arrives. Cherubino hides in the dressing room and Susanna hides behind a screen. The Count is suspicious, as he's just received the anonymous letter regarding the Countess' supposed infidelity. Upon hearing a noise, the Count demands to know who is hiding in the dressing room. When the Countess refuses to tell him, he compels her to accompany him to find a hammer to break down the door.

Cherubino jumps out of the window, leaving Susanna to take his place in the dressing room. The Countess tells Almaviva that it is Cherubino who is in her dressing room. The Count demands that the door be opened and Susanna calmly enters the room. The Count searches for Cherubino. Finding no one, Almaviva begs for forgiveness. Antonio, the gardener, bursts in complaining that someone has just jumped out of the window and spoiled his flowers. Susanna and the Countess try to convince the Count that Antonio is drunk again but it is Figaro who assumes the blame, saying that it was he who jumped from the window. Antonio produces some papers that Figaro claims were given him by Cherubino to have officially sealed. Marcellina enters with Dr. Bartolo and Basilio to demand justice. Figaro must marry Marcellina or repay his debt. The Count must investigate.

Act III
The Count reflects on the current situation when Susanna enters. She says she's prepared to meet him later that evening in the garden if he will give her the dowry he had promised. With the dowry, Susanna will be able to pay off Marcellina and marry Figaro. Susanna leaves and meets Figaro and assures him they will win their case. The Count overhears and becomes infuriated that his servants enjoy a happiness that he does not.

Figaro, Marcellina and Dr. Bartolo join the Count and his notary, Don Curzio, for the judgement: Figaro must marry Marcellina or repay his debt. Figaro protests that he needs the consent of his parents, from whom he was stolen as an infant. Marcellina realizes that Figaro is her long lost son by Dr. Bartolo. As Marcellina and Figaro embrace, it is decided that the wedding will be a double one; Marcellina will marry Dr. Bartolo and Figaro will marry Susanna.

Meanwhile, the Countess is still mourning the loss of her husband's affections. Susanna enters. She tells the Countess of the outcome of Figaro's case and writes a note for Almaviva to wait in the pine grove. They seal the letter with a pin.

Barbarina and the disguised Cherubino, along with other village girls, arrive with flowers for the Countess. The Count enters with Antonio, who reveals that Cherubino was indeed the one who jumped out of the balcony window into his flower bed. The Count wants to punish Cherubino but Barbarina pleads that instead, Cherubino be made her husband. After all, the Count promised her "everything she wanted" in exchange for her affections. The Count agrees.

Figaro enters and the wedding march begins. At the wedding celebration, Susanna passes the note to Almaviva who pricks his finger on the pin. Figaro notices that the Count had received a love letter and is amused by the pin prick. The Count promises splendid entertainment for the evening.

Act IV
Figaro and Marcellina happen upon Barbarina, who is searching for the pin that the Count asked her to return to Susanna. Figaro realizes that it was Susanna who sent the Count the love letter and gives Barbarina one of Marcellina's pins to find out the location of the planned tryst. Figaro complains to Marcellina about Susanna's supposed infidelity and, while Marcellina tries to explain that all is not as it seems, Figaro plans revenge. Both leave.

Barbarina returns, as she has a date with Cherubino, but is frightened by a noise and runs into one of the pavilions. Figaro returns with Bartolo and Basilio as witnesses to his wife's infidelity. Figaro tells them to hide until he gives the signal and then Figaro moves to another part of the garden, still defending the jealousy of men and determining not to trust women.

Marcellina, Susanna, and the Countess enter. Susanna and the Countess have switched clothing. Susanna, aware that Figaro is listening, sings about her approaching happiness with her lover. The Countess (now disguised as Susanna) awaits the planned tryst with the Count. However, Cherubino happens upon her and begins flirting. The Count enters and begins seducing "Susanna." The real Susanna (disguised as the Countess) is confronted by Figaro, who tells her that the Count is with his Susanna. She asks Figaro to be quiet, but forgets to disguise her voice. The truth begins to dawn on Figaro, who then pleads passionate love to the "Countess." A furious Susanna slaps Figaro who tells her that he knew she was in disguise all along. Continuing the prank, Figaro and the "Countess" loudly confess their love and the Count rushes in to catch the two lovers. Basilio, Bartolo, Don Curzio, and Antonio all rush in to investigate the ruckus and the Count denounces his faithless wife. All beg the Count to forgive his wife, but he refuses until the real Countess unveils herself. Almaviva realizes that he has fallen prey to a prank and begs forgiveness. The Countess forgives him and all celebrate the end of a crazy day.

2010 Season

* 25th Aug 2010 @ 19.00
* 28th Aug 2010 @ 19.00
* 1st Sep 2010 @19.00
* 11th Sep 2010 @ 19.00
* 19th Sep 2010 @ 19.00
* 3rd Oct 2010 @ 19.00

Act I

Totally impoverished by his gambling debts, cavalry captain Graf Waldner is living with his family in a cheap hotel. The family cannot afford to have two debutante daughters so the younger, Zdenka, is passed off as a boy by the name of Zdenko. Waldner dearly hopes to find a rich husband for Arabella, and save the family. In her distress, mother Adelaide turns to a fortune-teller to predict what the future holds. She discovers that her daughter Arabella will find a husband but he will be a stranger, and not her mother's favourite Graf Elemer. However beforehand, Arabella's sister will cause some complications. Adelaide feels obliged to reveal Zdenka's true identity to the fortune-teller.

Zdenka would like Arabella to yield to Matteo who is madly in love with her; Zdenka secretly cares for him too. Matteo appears and declares his lover's grief in confidence to his friend Zdenko. He begs for a letter from Arabella, otherwise he will have himself posted to the provinces or commit suicide. However, given the three Grafs who are constantly circling around Arabella like comets, Matteo does not stand the slightest chance with her. When she returns, she inadvertently lays aside Matteo's roses. Zdenka reproaches herself for this but Arabella is certain that he is not the right suitor. While she was out, she caught sight of a stranger, and she cannot get him out of her mind.

Graf Elemer arrives to collect Arabella for a sledge ride but Arabello wants Zdenko to accompany them. They both retire to change clothes. Graf Waldner returns from the gambling table downcast; his situation is hopeless.

The waiter tells the Graf he has a visitor. At first, Waldner refuses to see him but looking at the visiting card realises with pleasure that the visitor is his former regimental comrade Mandryka. He is an immensely wealthy landowner, and Waldner had sent him Arabella's photo, hoping that he would marry her. In place of the regimental comrade, a handsome young man appears, his nephew and heir. He has seen Arabella's photo, encountered her in the street and now wishes to ask for her hand in marriage. He offers the Graf money in case he is in need of funds at present. Overjoyed, the Graf returns to the gambling table. The sisters leave for their sledge ride.

Act II

At the Fiakerball, Waldner introduces the young Mandryka to his wife and Arabella. Arabella recognises the "stranger", the man she could not get out of her mind. She is as charmed by him as he is by her. She loves to listen to his tales about his home country, his late wife, and finally his avowal of his love. There is a custom where he comes from: the girl gives her chosen suitor a glass of water, symbolizing everlasting faithfulness. Arabella takes this up, and they vow to love and be faithful to each other.

Arabella wants time to bid farewell to her girlhood and asks Mandryka to withdraw. As Queen of the Ball, she dances for a last time with the three Grafs before leaving to return secretly to the hotel but not without writing a short love letter to Mandryka.

Zdenka hands a letter to the despairing Matteo which is supposed to hold the key to Arabella's room but really holds the key to her own room. Mandryka involuntarily overhears them and feels betrayed. He scorns Arabella's letter when his servant brings it. Angry and jealous, he throws himself into the bustling ball, flirts with Fiakermilli, and insults Adelaide when she asks after her daughter. Waldner replies by demanding a duel.

Act III

Arabella enters the hotel, to be greeted by an astonished Matteo who is coming downstairs. He thinks he has just spent time with her in a darkened room. The words they exchange leave Matteo bewildered by her apparently unfeeling dissimulation. The Graf, his wife and Mandryka arrive. The latter recognises Matteo as the man who received the key, and a violent scene ensues. Arabella does not understand what is happening around her. As the excitement reaches a climax, Zdenka runs down the stairs in a negligee and makes herself known to them: she received Matteo. Mandryka now asks for Zdenka's hand on behalf of Matteo. Everybody withdraws, either happy or pacified. Only Mandryka is left behind dejected in the hall. Then Arabella returns with a glass of water which she offers to him following the old bridal custom of his home country. He smashes the empty glass on the floor. "And now we are betrothed and joined in good times and bad, pain and forgiveness!"

The siblings Hänsel and Gretel are sent by their mother to gather berries, and become lost in the forest. After a night in the wild with sandmen, guardian angels and dew fairies, they receive a dubious welcome to the fairy-tale house of the witch. They toss her into the oven. The gingerbread children, who are transformed back into their original human forms, dance through the happy end with Hansel, Gretel and their parents. For many friends of opera, this masterwork was the first formative experience of opera.

Princess Salome is both beautiful and strange. She despises the men around her and those who follow her with lecherous eyes. Only the captive prophet Jokanaan exercises a fascination upon her. The holy man is young, ascetic and aloof; he is, above all, unlike anybody and anything else she has known. But after Jokanaan curses Salome and her lustful advances, she vows terrible vengeance. When her stepfather Herod wishes to see her dance, promising to fulfil any wish, she seizes her opportunity. Salome claims the head of Jokanaan, to be served on a silver platter. She kisses the corpse. Herod orders Salomes death.

Clytemnestra and Aegisthus have slain King Agamemnon.

Clytemnestra performed the deed with a righteous conscience: her husband Agamemnon had sacrificed their daughter Iphigenia to gain success in the war against Troy.

Electra doesn’t accept the justice of this. Her only thought is to revenge the death of her father Agamemnon. So she, who has separated herself from the entire community, keeps the thought of the deed and of vengeance alive for all.

Life shall not go on until the murder is expiated and Agamemnon honorably buried by his and Clytemnestra’s children – Electra, Chrysothemis and Orestes. But Chrysothemis demands that she lives now, be a woman, and have children.

Electra waits for Orestes’ return. As rightful heir and thus a danger for the new rulers, he was sent abroad after the murder.

Rigid ritual dominates the events: Electra invokes her dead father, while Clytemnestra tries to find her peace in sacrifices and streams of blood. But Electra says the proper sacrifice can only be the mother herself.

Clytemnestra sighs with relief at the news of Orestes’ death. His threat to her life and rule seems overcome. But the report is false. When Electra decides to avenge Agamemnon by herself, since Chrysothemis cannot be swayed to help, Orestes appears. He carries out the task, killing Clytemnestra and Aegisthus and assuming the throne, laden with new guilt.

Electra, who has devoted her life to revenge, has become superfluous. She wasn’t even able to give Orestes the axe she long kept to perform the deed. Her destiny can only be silence and dancing. Burned out, she collapses.

Concerts are given regularly in the Grand Hall of the Gewandhaus, featuring the works of composers from around the world.

2010 - 2011 Calender

August 2010 20th, 25th, 26th, 27th @ 8:00pm

September 2010 23rd, 24th, 30th, @ 8:00pm

October 2010; 1st, 7th, 8th, 28th, 29th, @ 8:00pm

October 2010; 30th @10.00 pm

November 2010; 4th, 5th,11th,12th,18th,19th,25th,26th,27th @ 8:00pm

November 2010;14th @ 11.00am

December 2010; 16th,17th, 29th, 30th @ 8:00pm

December 2010; 31st @ 05:00 pm

January 2011; 6th, 7h, 8th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 27th, 28th @ 8:00pm

February 2011; 3rd, 4th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 24th, 25th, 26th, @ 8:00pm

February 2011; 5th @ 04:00pm

February 2011; 6th @ 11:00am

March 2011; 18th 19th @ 8:00pm

April 2011; 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 28th, 29th @ 8:00pm

April 2011; 16th @ 04:00pm

May 2011; 12th, 13th, 17th, 18th, 26th, 27th, 29th @ 8:00pm

June 2011; 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th @ 8:00pm

June 2011;12th, @ 11:00am

June 2011;18th, @ 04:00pm

Please exchange voucher at the box office.

Simply light years ahead of the rest, this futuristic tale of the triumph of love and hope in the face of adversity is a feel-good musical with something for everyone; including over 20 of Andrew Lloyd Webber's greatest songs and all the thrills and spills of roller-racing action.

Starlight Express brings every audience a performance with speed, spectacle and turbocharged excitement.

See it and you still won't believe it...

Starlight Express in Bochum is the musical of superlatives. With nearly 10 Million guests since the premiere in 1988 it is the most successful piece of music in a theatre worldwide. In over 6.200 Shows actors became living trains. No other musical in the world can achieve the acrobatic speed of STARLIGHT EXPRESS. 17 years ago on 12th of June 1988 the engines and wagons raced on skates with fantastic costumes, masks and wigs with over 60 km/h through the audience for the first time.

Guests of all ages and a big fan community are still feeling with Rusty when the young steam-engine competes against his challengers the hypermodern E-engine Electra or the arrogant Diesel-engine Greaseball - in the biggest race of international trains. STARLIGHT EXPRESS has always surprises in store. In 2002 there were the most spectacular innovations since the premiere in 1988: two more songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber, faster and more acrobatic races as well as a new 30 metres long roller-skating track right through the stalls so that the audience is feeling the airstreams of the racing skaters close to their skin.

Acrobatic on roller-skates, singing and dancing actors, terrific races, breathtaking lightning effects, infectious songs that is STARLIGHT EXPRESS!

Performance Info

- Wednesdays @ 6.30pm
- Thursdays @ 8pm
- Sundays @ 7pm
- Fridays @ 8pm
- Saturdays @ 3pm
- Sundays @ 2pm
- Saturdays @ 8pm

- Thursday, 01.04.2010 8:00PM = Closed
- Friday, 02.04.2010 8:00 PM = No performance
- Tuesday, 06.04.2010 6:30 PM = Additional show
- Tuesday, 25.05.2010 6:30 PM = Closed
- Thursday, 03.06.2010 6:00 PM = Earlier beginning
- Saturday,12.06.2010 03:00 PM + 08:00 PM = Closed
- Tuesday, 27.07.2010 6:30 PM = Additional show
- Tuesday, 03.08.2010 6:30 PM = Additional show
- Tuesday, 10.08.2010 6:30 PM = Additional show
- Tuesday, 17.08.2010 6:30 PM = Additional show
- Tuesday, 24.08.2010 6:30 PM = Additional show
- Sunday, 14.11.2010 2:00 PM = Closed
- Sunday, 21.11.2010 2:00 PM = Closed
- Friday, 24.12.2010 = Closed
- Thursday, 30.12.2010 3:00 PM = Additional show
- Friday, 31.12.2010 5:00 PM = Earlier beginning

Customers must exchange their voucher at the theatre box office 30 minutes prior to the performance.

With 15 hop-on/hop-off points Experience Berlin with our 8-language City-Circle-Tour. You can hop-on and hop-off at your leisure - 7 days a week.

Enjoy your most individual tour e. g. for a visit of the Pergamon-museum, boatride, visit at Potsdamer Platz or shopping at Kurfarstendamm or Friedrichstrasse. If you like, stay on the bus continually for the full two-hour tour.

You will see:

- Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedchtniskirche/Memorial Church
- Europa Center
- KaDeWe
- Kulturforum
- Philharmonie
- Neue Nationalgalerie
- Jadisches Museum/Berlin Museum
- Checkpoint Charlie
- Mauerreste/remains of the wall
- Preußischer Landtag/Prussian Parliament
- Martin Gropius Bau/building
- Potsdamer Platz
- Bundesrat
- Friedrichstraye
- Gendarmenmarkt Deutscher+ Franzasischer Dom/German+ French Cathedral
- Konzerthaus
- Nikolai-Quarter
- Berliner(Rotes) Rathaus/Town Hall
- Stadthaus
- Fernsehturm/TV Tower
- Alexanderplatz/square
- Hackesche Hafe
- Rosenthaler Platz/ Square
- Museumsinsel/Museums Island
- Berliner Dom/Cathedral
- Palast der Republik
- Lustgarten
- Alte/Old Nationalgalerie
- Zeughaus/Deutsches Historisches Museum
- Neue Wache
- Humboldt Universitat
- Kronprinzenpalais/Crown Princes Palace
- Prinzessinnenpalais/Princesses Palace
- St. Hedwigs Kathedrale
- Unter den Linden
- Lindencorso
- Brandenburger Tor
- Reichstag
- Lehrter Bahnhof
- Bundeskanzleramt
- Schloa/Palace Bellevue
- Siegessaule/Victory Column
- Technische Universitat Schloay/Palace
- Charlottenburg
- Kurfarstendamm

Tour Info

Departure Points:

10am:AM Kurfarstendamm 216 - Alexanderplatz
10:10am: DomAquaree / Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 5

Departure Times:

April - October: Every 15 minutes, Final Departure @ 4pm
November - March: Every 30 minutes, Final Departure @ 3pm

Running Time: approx 2 hours

Clients must call at least 24 hours prior to the tour date to reconfirm admission and arrange complimentary hotel pick-up, where available.

The old garrison town of Potsdam, situated just a stone's throw from Berlin, has become famous for its splendid palaces and gardens.

The palace of Sanssouci in Potsdam was a favourite refuge of the great Prussian king, Frederic II. Here the "philosopher of Sanssouci", as he was called, entertained some of the most educated men of this time, among them the French philosopher Voltaire, who was a long-term permanent guest.

The excursion includes an extensive guided tour of Sanssouci Palace, a stroll in the magnificent park and a city tour of Potsdam, taking in, among other sights, the Dutch Quarter and the Russian Colony Alexandrovka.

Clients must call at least 24 hours prior to the tour date to reconfirm admission and arrange complimentary hotel pick-up, where available.

Photo Identification in the name of the client booked may be required to enable admission.

In Movie Park Germany you will find five differently themed areas with many breath-taking attractions and rides around the movie theme. Get ready and experience unforgettable moments with your family and friends. The Five Themed Areas include The Old West, Marienhof, Streets of New York City, The Hollywood Street Set & Wonderland Studios.

THRILL RIDES

Side-Kick (The Old West) - This is a rotating gondola platform at the end of a freely swinging mast which turns around on its own axis several times during the turbulent trip.

FX (The Old West) - A very special roller coaster where the rails are above the passengers' heads! Looping at a height of over 30 metres and taking bends at racing speed become a real challenge without "firm ground" under your feet.

Cop Car Chase (Marienhof) - The carriages on the two-track roller coaster produce a breathtaking pursuit of over 700 metres of pure action! Experience 100 spectacular seconds of loops, steep bends & daring evasive manoeuvres. Entrance through the cinema in Marienhof.

NYC Transformer (Streets of New York City) - This attraction turns everything upside down so you better hold on tight!

Time Riders (Streets of New York City) - Let the slightly batty inventor Horace Garrison Wells take you on this breathtaking and action-packed new ride through time.

The High Fall (The Old West) - The more than 60 metre high High Fall Tower - unique of its kind in Europe - leaves nothing to be desired by even the hardest boiled fans of lightning rides. You will experience a free fall at up to 90 km/h down to the depths.

Bandit (The Old West) - The first German wooden roller coaster that takes you over high mountains and deep valleys at speeds of 70 km/h.

FAMILY & KIDS RIDES

Josie's Bath House (The Old West) - In the 'Bath house' the trip in antique barrels takes you into the world of the classic western.

Marienhof Carousel (Marienhof) - The classic carousel. Traditional chain carousel from the days back when.

Dishwasher (Wonderland Studios) - teacups ride

Mad Manor (Wonderland Studios) - child-sized roller coaster on a track with many fast bends and steep ascents and descents.

Miss Patricia's Treehouse (Wonderland Studios) - The 4 metre high "Mini-Free-Fall-Tower" will particularly delight the smaller children.

Rocket Rider Roller Coaster (Wonderland Studios) - A trip on the moon. Not only small adventure fans will have a great time.

WATER FUN

Ice Age Adventure (Wonderland Studios) - During an adventurous wild-water ride you will meet Speedy Gonzales, Tweety Pie and Sylvester - Beware of the dragons that may cross your path!

Bermuda Triangle (The Hollywood Street Set) - Travel by boat through underground rapids, torrential waterfalls and fire-spewing volcanoes and discover the world of mystic aliens. Investigate the secrets of the mysterious Bermuda Triangle.

Mystery River (Wonderland Studios) - Set out on a trip in the fairytale world of Fantasia and meet the figures from the film hit "The Neverending Story".

HOLLYWOOD

Movie Magic - Voyager to Mars (The Hollywood Street Set) - Fly like a jet? On the special effects stage this is only one of many possibilities in Hollywood's box of tricks.

Movie Studio Tour (The Hollywood Street Set) - A must for every cinema-lover: numerous exhibits, including real rarities, show how pictures learned to walk. See how films were made before computer animation and digital cameras existed.

SpongeBob Squarepants 4D cinema - You will discover in the season 2005 the new 4D-theater, a world of Bikini Bottom and the strange but cheerful SpongeBob.

Times: The park opens daily @ 10am.

Please Note:
• Exchange your voucher at the Box Office to gain entry.

• Child age is 4-11 inclusive - children up to 3 years will go free and do not need a ticket to enter the park.

• The Park is closed on certain Monday's throughout the season - ensure that you check the calendar and decide which day you would like to visit Movie Park Germany before purchasing your tickets. You do not need to pre-book particular days, but we advise you to check the calendar to make sure it is open on the day you wish to visit.

See the highlights of the German capital, including the Government district and round off your tour with a stop at the Brandenburg Gate, giving you the opportunity to visit the nearby Reichstag.

This tour visits the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Memorial Church, Europe-Centre, Bauhaus Museum, New National Gallery, Philharmonic Hall, Potsdam Square/Sony-Centre, Jewish Museum, Gendarmmarkt, Alexanderplatz, St.-Nicolai-Quarter, Berlin Rathaus (City Hall), Fernsehturm (TV-Tower), the Berlin Cathedral, Zeughaus, State Opera, Boulevard ”Unter den Linden”, Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, Government district Chancellery, Tiergarten, Bellevue Palace, Siegessäule, Charlottenburg Palace, Olympic Stadium, Grunewald Forest, Funkturm (Radio Tower), ICC, Kurfürstendamm.

This tour incorporates more sites than the 14-Stops-City Tour.

All tours include a live guide who delivers commentaries in both English and German.

Tour Info

Times: Daily @ 10:00am

Friday, Saturday & Sunday @ 10am & 2pm

NOTE:
01.01.2010 only 02:00 pm;
02.01.- 28.02.2010 only 10:00 am;
26.09.2010; 24.12.2010 only 10:00 am

Running Time: 3 hours

Clients must call at least 24 hours prior to the tour date to reconfirm admission and arrange complimentary hotel pick-up, where available.

La traviata (The Fallen Woman) is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi, with libretto by Francesco Maria Piave.

The well known tragic love story between the high-class coutesan Violetta and Alfredo, son of a respected Parisian family.

With Alfredo the beautiful high-class courtesan Violetta finally finds true love. After a brief spell of happiness enjoyed together Alfredo's father manages, nevertheless, to convince Violetta of the social damage this relationship causes his family.