Picture a day like this

We all want to be happy. But how long does happiness last – and what happens when it suddenly ends and gives way to profound grief?

The contemporary opera PICTURE A DAY LIKE THIS by George Benjamin and Martin Crimp tells the story of a loss that changes everything. At its centre is a woman who has lost her child and sets out in search of a truly happy person – hoping to make the impossible possible. But it quickly becomes clear: happiness is not that simple. And sometimes everything depends on a single detail. We talk about death and happiness, grief and the longing for human connection.

In this episode, we open the space to two perspectives: together with the renowned physician and journalist Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen and grief counsellor Tanja Roos, we discuss why we struggle so much with the subject of death – and how this taboo topic can become part of our everyday lives.

You can also look forward to exclusive insights from singers Adriana Bastidas-Gamboa and Emily Hindrichs, personal perspectives from our podcast team, and Kathrin Vinciguerra’s insights into the theatre profession of stage management.

Tune in now and experience the vibes of Oper Köln.

Anahita, Tim, Melina, Maja, Elisa, Nora und Theresa

Anna Mangold (Opera.City.School), Stephanie Sonnenschein (Head of Opera.City.School), Christine Sonntag (Sendeeinheit) and Sebastian Sonntag (Sendeeinheit)

Adriana Bastidas Gamboa (Woman), Emily Hindrichs (Zabelle), Eckart von Hirschhausen (physician, journalist and cabaret artist), Tanja Roos (TrauBe Cologne) and Kathrin Vinciguerra (chief stage manager)