Dresden Staatskapelle Dresden", founded in 1548. The Dresden State Theatre runs a number of smaller theatres. The Dresden State Operetta is the only independent operetta in Germany. The "Herkuleskeule" (Hercules club) is an important site in German-speaking political cabaret. There are several choirs in Dresden, the best-known of which is the Dresdner Kreuzchor (Choir of The Holy Cross). It is a boys' choir drawn from pupils of the Kreuzschule, and was founded in the 13th century. The "Dresdner Kapellknaben" are not related to the "Staatskapelle", but to the former "Hofkapelle", the Catholic cathedral, since 1980. The Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra is the
Dresden of twelve museums, of which the "Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister" (Old Masters Gallery) and the "Grünes Gewölbe" (Green Vault) and the "Japanese Palace" (Japanisches Palais) are the most famous. Also known are "Galerie Neue Meister" (New Masters Gallery), "Rüstkammer" (Armoury) with the Turkish Chamber, and the "Museum für Völkerkunde Dresden" (Museum of Ethnology). Other museums and collections owned by the Free State of Saxony in Dresden are: The Dresden City Museum is run by the city of Dresden and focused on the city's history. The "Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr" (Military History Museum) is placed in the former garrison in the Albertstadt.