Letter from Munich

It is not only what happens on Munich’s stages that makes the Bavarian capital a must-visit stop for opera lovers, but also the rich offerings found beyond the city’s operatic walls. During my visit to Munich for the 2019 Bavarian State Opera (BSO) summer festival I saw daring opera productions that resonated with the rich history, art, and culture of this European hub. The conversations sparked between these works and their city will likely continue for years to come, but it was crucial to head to Munich this year in particular to celebrate master-conductor Kirill Petrenko’s last season in full control as BSO’s General Music Director (for the final year of his contract, he is scheduled to appear as a guest conductor)

When writing about the best places to visit in 2019 (Munich placed #5 worldwide), the raved that, “[P]erhaps the best argument for visiting Munich right now is the Bavarian State Opera, which has emerged as one of the most exciting opera