After the Rilke Projekt from 2004 with over 25 000 visitors, now the “Hesse Projekt live” by Schönherz & Fleer. (Oct. 31–Dec. 6 throughout Germany) readings, live music and associated images about Hesse texts presented by top artists including Jürgen Prochnow (first date Nov. 21 Tempodrom).

The Schaubühne is presenting: Friedrich Hebbel’s “Die Nibelungen”, (premiere starting Sept. 13), “Trust” by Falk Richter (world premiere Oct. 10), “Die Ehe der Maria Braun” (starting November) and Aeschylos “Prometheus” (premiere Nov. 26) as well as “Berlin Alexanderplatz” after Alfred Döblin (premiere Dec. 13), “Klassenfeind” by Nigel Williams (premiere in December), “Megalopolis” by Constanza Macras (premiere January 2010).

In February and March new productions by Thomas Ostermeier and Benedict Andrews. At the Maxim Gorki Theater Goethe’s “Wahlverwandtschaften” (starting Sept. 12), “Peer Gynt” by Ibsen (starting Sept. 26), Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice” (premiere Oct. 17), Albert Camus’ “L’Étranger” (starting Nov. 21), “Der Besuch der alten Dame” by Friedrich Dürrenmatt (starting 12.12.), “L’Avare” after Molière (in February), “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams (in March).

It’s hard to find a stronger contrast than this: from Dec. 26–Apr. 6 are the Nights of Musicals, whether “Cats”, “Evita”, “Dirty Dancing”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”: all well-know musicals will be presented at the Theater des Westens.

Exciting premieres at the State Opera Unter den Linden: Premieres: “Die Fledermaus” (premiere Nov. 21), Händel’s “Agrippina” (premiere Feb. 4) conducted by René Jacobs, ballet “La Peri” directed by Vladimir Malakhov. And still part of the program: the ballet “Caravaggio” after the famous painter by Mauro Bigonzetti (November, December) and “Das flammende Herz” (starting Oct. 2) as well as the operas Richard Strauss’ “Salome” (starting Oct. 1), Mozart’s “Zauberflöte” (starting Dec. 9) and Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly” (starting Jan. 8). Also on the program: “Barenboim Cycle”, always on Sunday at 11 a.m.: dates (Oct. 18, Nov. 1, Jan. 24, Mar. 14, Mar. 21).

Special highlight: Recital with Anna Netrebko and Daniel Barenboim (Mar. 29). The Deutsche Oper will present wonderful premieres: Richard Strauss’ “Die Frau ohne Schatten” (starting Sept. 27), Rossini’s “Il barbiere di Siviglia” (starting Nov. 29). Richard Wagner’s “Rienzi” (starting Jan. 24) and “Oberst Chabert” by Hermann Wolfgang von Waltershausen (Mar. 26).

Exciting premieres at the Komische Oper: “Die rote Zora”, a family opera by Elisabeth Naske (starting Nov. 1), Verdi’s “Rigoletto” (starting Sept. 20), Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale” (starting Jan. 31), Händel’s “Orlando” (Feb. 26). And exciting revivals: Giacomo Puccini’s “La Boheme” (starting Oct. 7), Prokofiev’s “Love of Three Oranges” (starting Oct. 28), Verdi’s “La Traviata” (starting Dec. 14), Cole Porter’s “Kiss me Kate” (starting Oct. 3).

The Philharmonie will host an array of stars: Janine Jansen (Oct. 15, 17), Evelyn Herletzius (Nov. 5–7), Lang Lang (Oct. 11), Marta Argerich (Nov. 19), Heinrich Schiff (Nov. 27), Albrecht Mayer (Dec. 13), Helene Grimaud (Jan. 10), Sandrine Piau (Jan. 13), Ton Kopmann (Jan. 28–30) and Mitsuko Ushida (Feb. 3, 4, 13, 14, 18, 20) with the Berliner Philharmoniker and conductor Sir Simon. Christoph von Dohnanyi, Mariss Jansons will conduct the Berliner Philharmonik in March.