programme & tickets programme

Operators

Young Ideas for Great Stages
Illustration by Tim Stadie featuring three black-drawn cartoon characters on a light, pastel-coloured background. One character holds up a glowing light bulb, another is smiling, and the third wears glasses and appears thoughtful. Small drawn symbols such as stars, musical notes and lines surround the figures. Below them is the wordmark “OPERATORS”, with “ATORS” appearing smaller and raised. The illustration conveys creativity, collaboration and the exchange of ideas.
Operators of the Children's Opera Cologne © Tim Stadie

The OPERators are a group of children and teenagers aged 9 to 15 who meet regularly to take a close look at every aspect of our Children's Opera – from the programme to the foyer experience. They discuss what they enjoy and what they feel is missing, develop new ideas and test them together, helping us make opera an even more exciting place for young audiences.

FAQ Operators

The group meets on the second Tuesday of every month from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Additional meetings are scheduled as needed.

The OPERators are open to children and teenagers aged 9 to 15. Anyone within this age group who is curious about opera and theatre and would like to share their ideas is welcome to join.

The meetings take place in the Oper.Stadt.Schule theatre space at Glockengasse 37–39.

Participation is free of charge.

Want to join? Send us an email at theaterpaedagogik@buehnen.koeln. Tell us what you'd like to explore at Opera Cologne, and don't forget to share your favourite joke. It's a fun way for us to get to know you a little better.

Impressions

  • Members of the OPERators of Opera Cologne take part in the Children's Opera Cologne press conference for the 2026/27 season. Several children and teenagers are seated attentively in a discussion round, listening with focus. Some look ahead with interest, while others follow the conversation with curious expressions. The image conveys the young experts' active participation in the exchange about the Children's Opera programme.
    OPERators of Opera Cologne at the Children's Opera Cologne press conference for the 26/27 season © Teresa Rothwangl
  • Several children are sitting in a circle on the floor, looking together at drawings by Tim Stadie. The sheets show simple characters representing the “OPERators” of Oper Köln. The children are discussing the figures and developing them further. The scene conveys focused and creative group work.
    OPERators of Oper Köln
  • The “OPERators” of Oper Köln proudly present themselves in a variety of imaginative opera costumes. The children stand in an aisle between tall shelves in the costume department, wearing colourful, historical, and unusual outfits, including a bee, a flower, a knight, a chocolate bar, and characters from different eras. The group looks proudly at the camera, showcasing the diversity of costumes from Oper Köln’s extensive costume collection.
    OPERators of Oper Köln
  • The “OPERators” of Oper Köln visit the costume department. Several children stand among densely packed clothing racks and historic stage costumes while a staff member explains the costume collection to them. In the background, elaborately designed garments from different periods and in various colours are hanging. The scene offers a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes work of the opera house.
    OPERators of Oper Köln

Supporters

Supported by the Victor Rolff Foundation
Supported by the RheinEnergie Stiftung | Kultur

The idea behind the OPERators is to give children and teenagers a voice in shaping the Children's Opera. Their ideas and feedback help us create a place that is exciting, welcoming and enjoyable for young audiences.

Stephanie Sonnenschein (Head of Oper.Stadt.Schule)