Michael Hampe

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 Cologne Opera, he directed Giacomo Puccini’s „La Bohème“ in the 15/16 season, Ludwig van Beethoven’s „Fidelio“ in 16/17, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s „Die Zauberflöte“ in 20/21, which has since become a permanent part of the company’s repertoire.

Prof. Dr. Michael Hampe passed away in Zurich in November 2022. His warmth will always remain in our memory, and his work will remain an integral part of Oper Köln.