Schönebeck Operetta Summer

Operetta Under the Open Sky in the Salzlandkreis

The Schönebeck Operetta Summer is one of the most charming open-air events in Saxony-Anhalt. Since its first edition in the late 1990s, the association, together with the Mitteldeutsche Kammerphilharmonie, has been using the open-air stage on Bierer Berg, a small hill directly adjacent to the Schönebeck Zoo. From here, the view extends far over the Elbe valley – and from 4 p.m. onwards, the sun moves across the stage in such a way that the scenery appears picture-perfect.

The concept is both simple and ingenious: one operetta each year, four weeks in a row, each performance with a live orchestra. The list of previous productions reads like a 'best of' the genre: "Die Fledermaus", "Der Zigeunerbaron", "Im weißen Rößl", "Die lustige Witwe", "Csárdásfürstin". In 2026, "Wiener Blut", one of the most popular Strauss works, returns to Schönebeck – a pasticcio of Strauss melodies that lets the gallant womanizer Count Balduin Zedlau stumble between his wife Gabriele and his mistress Franziska Cagliari.

The production thrives on the tension between a provincial stage and a grand repertoire. The singers come from Saxony-Anhalt, Saxony, Thuringia, and occasionally from Vienna itself, the stage sets are handcrafted in the region, and the audience sits under a roof – important information for German summer evenings. Those who have been here once usually come back: most performances sell out months in advance.

Schönebeck (Elbe) is located about 15 kilometers south of Magdeburg, directly on the Elbe River, and belongs to the Salzlandkreis in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. Bierer Berg is well signposted; there is a parking lot at the zoo below, and the short walk leads through a small wooded area. Tip: Arrive an hour early, take a stroll in the zoo, and then leisurely walk up to the stage.

Over Four Weeks of Performance Time

The 28th edition runs from June 27 to July 26, 2026. Performances usually take place between Wednesday and Sunday, mostly at 4 p.m. – unusual, but proven: in warm weather, it's more pleasant this way than after sunset. Ticket prices start at 29 euros. Those looking for a classic summer weekend with operetta, the Elbe, and a city stroll can combine the festival with a visit to the Salzlandsole or a trip to Magdeburg.