Memorial Concert in the Semperoper - Silence for Dresden's Victims - Dresden's Orchestra Honors 1945 Bombing Victims in Solemn Memorial Concert
The Dresden State Orchestra will hold its annual memorial day concert to mark the 1945 bombings that devastated the city. Taking place on February 13 and 14, the performances will honour those who lost their lives in the raids. The event has become a key moment of reflection for residents and visitors alike.
This year's concert will feature two major works: Igor Stravinsky's Mass and Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 9 in D minor. Bruckner's Ninth, often seen as his final musical statement, will share the programme with Stravinsky's choral piece. Daniele Gatti will lead the orchestra in both performances, which begin at 7:00 PM in the Semperoper.
After the music ends, the audience and musicians will observe a silent minute of remembrance. This tradition follows each year's concert, reinforcing the event's solemn purpose. Outside the concert hall, residents will form a human chain through Dresden's city centre, symbolising peace and reconciliation.
The bombings of February 13, 1945, destroyed much of Dresden's historic core. Estimates of the death toll vary widely, with some sources reporting 25,000 fatalities and others suggesting as many as 40,000. Official city records do not provide a confirmed number of casualties or injuries from the raids.
The memorial day concert remains a central part of Dresden's remembrance each year. Through music and silence, the city continues to acknowledge the losses of 1945. The event also serves as a call for peace, drawing people together in reflection.
