Michael Hampe

Upcoming productions

Vita

Michael Hampe, born in Heidelberg, had an international outlook from a young age. He first studied cello at Syracuse University in the USA and acting at the Otto Falckenberg School in Munich before completing his education with studies in theater and musicology, earning a doctorate on stage technology at the University of Vienna. After serving for five years as Deputy Director at Schauspiel Zürich, he became General Director of the Nationaltheater Mannheim in 1972. From 1975, he spent 20 years as General Director of the Cologne Opera—a period in which he strongly shaped the artistic direction of the house through his productions. During this time, he was also a member of the board of directors of the Salzburg Festival. From 1992 to 2000, he served as the General Director of the Dresden Music Festival.

Michael Hampe's productions were staged at renowned venues such as Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in London, the Opéra National de Paris, the San Francisco Opera, as well as in almost all European countries, the USA, South America, Japan, and Australia. As a professor at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln and the University of Southern California, as well as a guest lecturer at the University of Cologne and numerous other institutions in Germany and abroad, he regularly shared his expertise with the next generation of theater professionals.

He was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Golden Decoration of Honor of the State of Salzburg, and the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Commendatore Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana). In 2015, he published his book Opernschule: Für Liebhaber, Macher und Verächter des Musiktheaters (Opera School: For Lovers, Creators, and Detractors of Musical Theater).

At the Cologne Opera, he directed Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème in the 2015/16 season, Ludwig van Beethoven’s Fidelio in 2016/17, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s The Magic Flute in the 2020/21 season.

Prof. Dr. Michael Hampe passed away in Zurich in November 2022. His warmth will always remain in our hearts, and his artistic legacy will forever be a part of the Cologne Opera. We will miss him dearly!

Upcoming productions with: Michael Hampe

All events with Michael Hampe

August 2025

31 / 08
Die Zauberflöte
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sun, 4.00 PM to 7.00 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 1

Pre-sales starts on 07 April at 10 am.

More info and cast

September 2025

04 / 09
Die Zauberflöte
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Thu, 7.30 PM to 10.30 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 1

Pre-sales starts on 07 April at 10 am.

More info and cast
05 / 09
Die Zauberflöte
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Fri, 7.30 PM to 10.30 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 1

Pre-sales starts on 07 April at 10 am.

More info and cast
07 / 09
Die Zauberflöte
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sun, 6.00 PM to 9.00 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 1

Pre-sales starts on 07 April at 10 am.

More info and cast
10 / 09
Die Zauberflöte
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wed, 11.00 AM to 2.00 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 1

Pre-sales starts on 07 April at 10 am.

More info and cast
12 / 09
Die Zauberflöte
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Fri, 7.30 PM to 10.30 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 1

Pre-sales starts on 07 April at 10 am.

More info and cast
14 / 09
Die Zauberflöte
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sun, 6.00 PM to 9.00 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 1

Pre-sales starts on 07 April at 10 am.

More info and cast
17 / 09
Die Zauberflöte
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wed, 7.30 PM to 10.30 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 1

Pre-sales starts on 07 April at 10 am.

More info and cast
21 / 09
Die Zauberflöte
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sun, 6.00 PM to 9.00 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 1

Pre-sales starts on 07 April at 10 am.

More info and cast
25 / 09
Die Zauberflöte
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Thu, 7.30 PM to 10.30 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 1

Pre-sales starts on 07 April at 10 am.

More info and cast
27 / 09
Die Zauberflöte
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sat, 7.30 PM to 10.30 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 1

Pre-sales starts on 07 April at 10 am.

More info and cast

December 2024

22 / 12
La Bohème
Giacomo Puccini
Sun, 6.00 PM to 8.30 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 2
More info and cast
25 / 12
La Bohème
Giacomo Puccini
Wed, 6.00 PM to 8.30 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 2
More info and cast
27 / 12
La Bohème
Giacomo Puccini
Fri, 7.30 PM to 10.00 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 2
More info and cast
29 / 12
La Bohème
Giacomo Puccini
Sun, 6.00 PM to 8.30 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 2
More info and cast
31 / 12
La Bohème
Giacomo Puccini
Tue, 6.00 PM to 8.30 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 2
More info and cast

January 2025

02 / 01
La Bohème
Giacomo Puccini
Thu, 7.30 PM to 10.00 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 2
More info and cast
04 / 01
La Bohème
Giacomo Puccini
Sat, 7.30 PM to 10.00 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 2
More info and cast
08 / 01
La Bohème
Giacomo Puccini
Wed, 7.30 PM to 10.00 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 2
More info and cast
10 / 01
La Bohème
Giacomo Puccini
Fri, 7.30 PM to 10.00 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 2
More info and cast
15 / 01
La Bohème
Giacomo Puccini
Wed, 7.30 PM to 10.00 PM, StaatenHaus Saal 2
More info and cast