Arrive in Vienna on suggested flights and make your way to the hotel. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including travel insurance (a condition of travel), a private hotel transfer, accommodation before or after the tour and a room category upgrade.

At 18:00, join your tour leader Damien Beaumont and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing and talk at the hotel, followed by dinner.

(D)

After breakfast, join Damien for a pre-performance talk about tonight’s performance. Then, embark on a private, guided walking tour of the “Innenstadt” (old town). Discover the history of eminent buildings such as the Albertina Museum, the imperial Hofburg Palace and the Liechtenstein City Palace, a baroque palace with rare art collections.

After lunch at a local restaurant, the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.

This evening, enjoy a performance of Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman, conducted by Christine Mielitz with Polish bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny in the title role and South African soprano Erica Eloff as Senta.

(BL)

This morning, enjoy a private, guided backstage tour of the Vienna State Opera. Discover the history and countless anecdotes of this eminent landmark of the Habsburg capital. Experience the grandeur of the main auditorium, known for its fine acoustics, and take a behind-the-scenes look at the areas typically off-limits to the public.

Enjoy an early dinner before a performance of Richard Strauss’s Salome at the Vienna State Opera. Based on Oscar Wilde’s play, the opera depicts the biblical tale of the young princess who becomes obsessed with Jochanaan (John the Baptist). Salome is performed by young lirico-spinto soprano Elena Stikhina, with Tomasz Konieczny as Jochanaan and German tenor Gerhard Siegel as Herodes.

(BD)

Today, visit a Viennese institution, a silversmith’s, whose on-site museum is dedicated to the history and art of silver craftsmanship. Founded in 1847, the museum showcases a collection of historical and contemporary silverware.

After an early dinner, walk to the Vienna State Opera for a performance of Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. A romantic comedy opera, L’elisir d’amore follows Nemorino, a simple peasant who purchases a love potion from a travelling charlatan in a desperate attempt to win the affection of the wealthy and independent Adina. Adina is performed by South African soprano Pretty Yende and Nemorino is performed by tenor Michael Spyres.

(BD)

This morning, travel to Dresden, the capital of Germany’s Saxony and famed for its 700-year musical history. The River Elbe divides the city into the Altstadt and the Neustadt with restored Baroque architecture stencilling an ornate skyline.

Arrive at the hotel in the late-afternoon before dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.

(BD)

Today, visit the Dresden State Art Collections housing the historic Green Vault, which holds one of the world’s largest collections of royal treasures, objects d’art and cabinets of curiosity.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

This evening, walk to the Semperoper for a performance of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, conducted by Giulio Cilona and American James Ley in the role of Prince Tamino.

(BL)

This morning, enjoy a guided tour of the Old Masters Picture Gallery, a treasure trove of European art housed in the Semper wing of the Zwinger Palace. This prestigious gallery is renowned for its significant holdings of Italian Renaissance and Baroque art, including Raphael’s iconic Sistine Madonna and works by Titian and Correggio.

After an early dinner, walk to the Semperoper for a performance of Verdi’s Rigoletto, conducted by the acclaimed Francesco Angelico. In the title role of jester Rigoletto is Ukrainian bass-baritone Oleksandr Pushniak, with Spanish soprano Marina Monzó as Gilda.

(BD)

This morning, drive to the town of Pillnitz for a visit to its historic castle. Located on the banks of the Elbe River, Pillnitz Castle was originally a residential fortress in the 14th century which transformed into a royal summer residence in the 18th century. The castle buildings enclose a Baroque garden and are surrounded by a large public park.

Enjoy lunch on the grounds of the castle before returning to the hotel.

In the evening, attend a performance of Bizet’s Carmen with Swiss mezzo-soprano Eve-Maud Hubeaux in the lead role and Italian-German tenor Attilio Glaser as Don José.

(BL)

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and travel to Berlin, arriving in the early-afternoon.

In the late-afternoon, attend a performance at the Deutsche Oper Berlin of Handel’s celebrated baroque opera Giulio Cesare in Egitto. The production was developed by Scottish director David McVicar at Glyndebourne Festival Opera House. Cesare is performed by Russian mezzo-soprano Vasilisa Berzhanskaya, while Russian soprano Elena Tsallagova is Cleopatra.

After the performance, enjoy dinner at a nearby restaurant.

(BD)

Today, depart on a full-day excursion to Potsdam, best known for the magnificent palaces and parks dating back to its time as the former royal seat of Prussia. Visit Sanssouci Park’s magnificent New Palace, built by Frederick the Great in 1763 and considered to be the last great Prussian Baroque palace. Marvel at the spectacular Grotto Hall with its 24,000 glittering seashells and minerals, alongside the exquisite Marble Gallery.

After lunch, drive through the Russian Colony, see the Dutch Quarter and visit St Nicholas’ Church before returning to Berlin in the late-afternoon.

The evening is at leisure.

(BL)

Begin the day with a pre-performance talk by Damien. Afterwards, depart the hotel by coach for a private, guided tour of the Deutsche Oper Berlin (subject to rehearsal schedules). Located in the Charlottenburg district of Berlin, it originally opened in 1912 and is now Berlin’s largest opera house.

In the early evening, enjoy dinner before walking to the Berlin State Opera for a performance of Strauss’s Die Schweigsame Frau. The opera centres on the story of Morosus, a retired naval captain who wants to marry a silent wife. Celebrated bass Peter Rose performs in the title role alongside Spanish soprano Serena Sáenz as his wife.

(BD

Today, enjoy a private, guided tour of the Stabi Kulturwerk, the Berlin State Library, to view Germany’s largest collection of musical manuscripts, including works from the great composers such as Beethoven and Mendelssohn.

Following an afternoon at leisure, attend a performance at the Berlin State Opera of Bellini’s Norma, the story of a Druid High Priestess, torn between her people and her love for a Roman, Pollione. Directed by Russian Vasily Barkhatov, the title role is performed by Bulgarian soprano Sonya Yoncheva alongside British-Italian tenor Freddie De Tommaso as Pollione.

(B)

This morning, enjoy a private, guided tour of the Neue Nationalgalerie. The art museum was designed by renowned architect Mies van der Rohe and features an impressive collection of artworks by twentieth-century artists such as Otto Dix, Max Ernst, Mark Rothko, Dalí and Miró.

This afternoon, return to the Deutsche Oper Berlin for a performance of Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, conducted by Ukrainian conductor Dalia Stasevska with Scottish high-baritone Jami Reid-Quarrell as Puck and British countertenor Iestyn Davies as Oberon.

After the performance, return to the hotel for dinner.

(BD)

Today is at leisure to relax or to explore Berlin’s vibrant neighbourhoods, renowned historical sites and eclectic cultural scene.

This evening, join Damian and fellow travellers for a farewell dinner before attending Verdi’s Aida at the Berlin State Opera. The production is directed by the renowned Calixto Bieito and features Latvian soprano Marina Rebeka in the title role, alongside Yusif Eyazov as Radamès and Marina Prudenskaya as Amneris.

(BD)

Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast.

For those returning home today, make your way to Berlin Airport for suggested flights to Australia or New Zealand. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including a private airport transfer, additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

(B)