StageVibes
The podcast of Oper Köln
Opera can do it all: grand emotions, gripping stories, stirring music – and now, podcasts too.
StageVibes presents opera in a fresh, youthful, and entertaining audio format. Across five episodes per season, the education team of Oper.Stadt.Schule and the podcast experts from Sendeeinheit introduce selected operas.
Each episode runs for around 20 minutes and offers a concise overview of the plot, fascinating background insights, and exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses into the world of music theatre. Interviews with experts meet the honest voices of young opera fans. The format is rounded off with authentic insider stories and humorous anecdotes from everyday opera life that usually remain hidden.
StageVibes is available on all major audio platforms.
Latest episode
Next episode
The next episode will be released to coincide with the revival of Giacomo Puccini’s TURANDOT on 20 May 2026.
StageVibes explores what the great operas are really about and what makes them special, why their themes still resonate today, and how much drama, passion, tragedy, and hope unfold on stage.
What I enjoyed most was learning about everything that goes into an opera production and what happens behind the scenes.
All episodes
I walked into the rehearsal and thought: so many talented people in one place. How is that even possible? Simply incredible!
Podcast Team
The podcast team consists of seven young people between the ages of 14 and 23.
In a kickoff meeting, they familiarize themselves with the opera and, together with Anna Mangold and Stephanie Sonnenschein (Oper.Stadt.Schule), identify the topics that matter most to them. The aim is to connect the opera to their own lives and explore why opera can still be exciting and relevant for young people today.
The podcast team also attends selected rehearsals and speaks with the people behind the production.
My biggest highlight was attending the rehearsal. I was surprised and deeply impressed by how relaxed and human the working atmosphere at the opera is.
