The eight nights in Munich not only include the Strauss operas but also the premier of Wolfgang Rihm's Das Gehege (The Enclosure), a short piece adapted from Botho Strauss' stageplay specifically to showcase the talents of soprano Gabriele Schnaut, and an evening recital by Munich born tenor Jonas Kaufmann with piano accompaniment by Helmut Deutsch.

The highly regarded Platzl Hotel in the city's historic center has been selected as the touring base, offering Bavarian style hospitality and a wonderful location near to the Nationaltheater and Maximilianstrasse.

Friday July 18
Depart independently from the USA or Canada.

Saturday July 19
Arrive independently in Munich and transfer to the Platzl Hotel at Sparkassenstrasse 10. Relax after the journey and meet in the early evening at the hotel's vaulted and well reviewed Pfistermühle Restaurant for dinner with the tour director and fellow travelers.

Sunday July 20
After a generous buffet breakfast (provided daily) the party departs by motor coach for a morning guided orientation tour, identifying all the major city sights, including the Residenz (Royal Palace), Odeonsplatz, Nationaltheater, Englischer Garten and the museum district with the Glyptothek (Greek and Roman), Alte Pinakothek (14th-18th century art), Neue Pinakothek (18th and 19th century art) and Pinakothek der Moderne, among others. Lunch is followed by an independent afternoon and early departure for the Opera House and 6.00pm curtain on Der Rosenkavalier (Denoke, Vondung, Pellekoorne, Tomlinson; Schneider).

Monday July 21
A fully independent day. Perhaps consider a full day excursion by train to Salzburg to visit Mozart's home town.

Tuesday July 22
Morning departure by motor coach for an excursion south west of the city. The first stop is the Wallfahrts-kirche "Die Wies" near Steingaden, a pilgrimage site and rococo masterpiece by Dominikus Zimmermann. Continue for lunch in Oberammergau and then to Schloss Linderhof, one of the palaces built by King Ludwig II. The King was a major devotee of Richard Wagner and he constructed this summer residence in French rococo style with a park that includes the noted Moorish Kiosk and the recreated Venus grotto from the Munich stage set of Wagner's Tannhäuser. Return mid-afternoon to Munich. Evening transfer to the Prinzregententheater and 8:00 pm recital by tenor Jonas Kaufmann with Helmut Deutsch accompanying.

Wednesday July 23
Independent morning. Meet at noon for lunch at La Galleria, an excellent Italian restaurant next door to the hotel on Sparkassenstrasse. After, transfer by motor coach to Schloss Nymphenburg, the summer country estate of the Wittelsbach family, for a tour of its richly decorated interiors and galleries. To complete the afternoon, and by private arrangement, the party has the unique opportunity to visit and tour the Nymphenburg Porcelain Factory and showrooms before returning to the city center. This evening's 7:00 pm performance at the Nationaltheater is Arabella (Wyn-Rogers, Harteros, Kuhn; Soltesz), directed by Andreas Homoki.

Thursday July 24
The day is independent for museum visits, sightseeing, shopping or relaxation around the city. Early evening transfer to the Prinzregentenheater and 7:00 pm staging of Ariadne auf Naxos (Sindram, Damrau, Pieczonka, Fritz; Nagano), a Robert Carsen production.

Friday July 25
Today the party enjoys an excursion north west of Munich to Augsburg, noted for its fine Renaissance art and architecture and Bavaria's third largest city. Dating back over 2,000 years, it has hosted many distinguished visitors, including Martin Luther, and counts Hans Holbein and Bertolt Brecht among its scions. Lunch will be at the highly regarded Die Ecke on Elias-Holl-Platz. There will be time for personal exploration of the city's main sights, including the Dom St. Maria, the Schaezlerpalais art collection and the Fuggerei, Europe's oldest welfare housing. Return to Munich in the late afternoon for relaxation. Evening at the Nationaltheater and 8:00 pm Elektra (Baltsa, Schnaut, Westbroek; Debus). Direction by Herbert Wernicke.

Saturday July 26
Independent day to finalize the week in Munich. In the evening meet at the Nationaltheater for the 7:00 pm performances of Wolfgang Rihm's Das Gehege (Schnaut, Barrett; Nagano) and Salome (Vermillion, Denoke, Sindram, Schmidt, Held; Nagano). Direction for both works is by William Friedkin. After, return to the hotel for a Farewell supper.

Sunday July 27
Independent departures from Munich.