The Dresdener Musikfestspiele has received funding for the construction of the Richard Wagner Academy.

The funding comes in the form of a 15 million euro grant from “KulturInvest,” a funding program from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media.

The new academy will focus on being an “internationally oriented competence center for 18th century romantic orchestra and operatic practice.” It will feature a 600 seat hall and a new building opposite Dresden’s old town that will house a rehearsal space for both orchestra choir as well as for archives, workshop, and seminar rooms.

“I am delighted for the city of Dresden and the Dresden Music Festival about this generous support! A visionary meeting place for musicians, academics and the public, the Richard Wagner Academy Dresden, can now be built on the most beautiful site in Dresden. This decision inspires me to continue to invest all my energy in the cultural charisma of Dresden as one of the world’s leading cities of music,” said Jan Vogler, Artistic Director of the Dresdner Musikfestspiele, per an official press release.