Arne Willimczik

Arne Willimczik, who has been working as a study director at the Cologne Opera since the 2014–15 season, completed his piano and conducting studies at the Hamburg University of Music. From 1994, he was initially engaged as a solo répétiteur and conductor at the Stadttheater Bremerhaven, then at the Staatstheater Darmstadt. From 2001, he served as conductor at the Staatstheater Kassel, during which time he also worked as a pianist and guest conductor at other theaters.

His broad repertoire ranges from the works of Henry Purcell to modern compositions (Philip Glass’ „The Fall of the House of Usher“, Péter Eötvös’ „Tri Sestri“, and others). He also frequently conducts world premieres and first performances, such as Friedrich Schenker’s „Johann Faustus“ at the Staatstheater Kassel (2004).

As a conductor at the Theater Regensburg, he represented a broad repertoire over several years, ranging from Simon Mayr and Jacques Offenbach to Rossini, Verdi, Puccini, and Richard Wagner (Lohengrin, Die Feen), as well as modern works.

At the Cologne Opera, he conducted Udo Zimmermann’s „Weiße Rose“, Leoš Janáček’s „The Cunning Little Vixen“, and Wilfried Hiller’s „Ijob“, among others. He also conducted performances of Giuseppe Verdi’s „Rigoletto“, Richard Wagner’s „Tannhäuser“, Richard Strauss’ „Salome“, Jacques Offenbach’s „The Tales of Hoffmann for Children“, Ralph Benatzky’s „Im weißen Rössl“, Jacques Offenbach’s „Barkouf ou un chien au pouvoir“, and Giacomo Puccini’s „La Bohème“.

In the 2025–26 season, he will conduct Giacomo Puccini’s „Manon Lescaut“ and „Turandot“, as well as Gioacchino Rossini’s „La Cenerentola“ at the Cologne Opera.