Germany

The Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra is often considered the world's oldest civic symphony orchestra; it is based in the Gewandhaus concert hall, performs in the Thomaskirche and serves as the orchestra of the Leipzig Opera. The Berlin Philharmonic was founded in 1882 and was led by Wilhelm Furtwangler, Herbert von Karajan and Claudio Abbado. The Bavarian State Opera in Munich performs at the Nationaltheater with the Bavarian State Orchestra. The Bayreuth Festival presents stage works by Richard Wagner in the Festspielhaus he supervised.