Düsseldorf is the city of theaters. Exciting premieres at the Schauspielhaus: “Minna von Barnhelm” by Gottfried Ephraim Lessing (starting Sept. 17) and Emile Zola’s “L’Argent” (starting Sept. 12), “The Black Ryder” by Robert Wilson and Tom Waits (starting Oct. 25), “Dantons Tod” by Georg Büchner (starting Nov. 28), “Anna Karenina” after Tolstoy (February), Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliette” (March).

Kleines Haus: Franz Kafka “The Castle” (starting Oct. 17, dates in November, December), Tennessee William’s “Streetcar Named Desire” (February).

At the Junges Schauspielhaus (for kids): “Liliom” by Franz Molnar, “Aussetzer” by Lutz Hübner. Starting Oct. 7, 2009 a real theatrical highlight will be staged: “Ben Hur Live” takes place at Düsseldorf’s ISS DOME and that means: monumental stage architecture, light projections and the legendary chariot races. The music was composed by Stewart Copeland, founder and drummer of “The Police”.

Change in staff at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein: new artistic director Christoph Meyer, new general music director Axel Kober and new ballet director Martin Schläpfer plus new productions and revivals: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Die Zauberflöte” (stsarting Oct. 22), Händel’s “Giulio Cesare” (starting Oct. 23), Richard Strauss’ “Salome” (premiere Nov. 8), Jacques Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” (starting Nov.14) as well as Lehar’s “Die lustige Witwe” (premiere starting Dec. 4), Gioacchino Rossini’s “L’italiana in Algeri” (starting Jan. 8), Rameau’s “Les Paladins” (starting Feb. 5) and “Robin Hood” (starting Dec. 21) for young audiences. Also on the program: “Louise” by Gustav Charpentier (starting Feb.17) and a special premiere: “Rigoletto” by Giuseppe Verdi (starting Mar. 5).

Ballet: Martin Schläpfer’s “Kunst der Fuge” (starting Dec. 19), George Balanchine’s “Serenade” and Martin Schläpfer’s “Reformationssymphonie” (starting Feb. 21).

Düsseldorfer Tonhalle. There’s a lot going on here: Concert series, including symphony concerts, family and children’s concert, new music and chamber music concerts. The Tonhalle will also host an array of superstars: Jonas Kaufmann (Oct. 11), Sabine Meyer (Nov. 1), Sharon Kam (Nov. 7), Lorin Maazel (Nov. 26), Isabelle Faust (Dec.3–5), Khatia Buniatishvili (Dec. 11/13/14), Albrecht Mayer (Dec.16), New Year’s Concert of the Düsseldorfer Symphoniker (Jan. 1), Daniel Müller-Schott (Jan. 9), Sol Gabetta (Jan. 15/17/18), Montserrat Caballé (Jan. 30), Christoph Pregardien and Andreas Staier (Feb. 20), Boris Berezovsky (Mar. 12/14/15), Ian Bostridge (Mar. 1) and Julia Fischer (Mar. 7).

Special highlight Giacomo Puccini’s “Turandot” (Jan. 18) in the Phillipshalle.

And musicals: “The Phantom of the Opera” (Feb. 21) and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” on Mar. 25, both in the Phillipshalle.