In the metal halide high-pressure discharge lamp for stage, film and television lighting systems and for projection technology and effect lighting, the discharge vessel contains dysprosium and cesium as fill metals for the metal halides. Optimum results for dimmability, arc instability and color rendering are achieved if the fill additionally includes 0.12 to 3.8 .mu.mol of vanadium and if appropriate 0.05 to 1.0 .mu.mol of zirconium per ml of vessel volume. These metals achieve improved color rendering, in particular red rendering, with an Ra of from 70 to 95 and an R.sub.9 of from 45 to 90.