Simon
Wendring

Simon Wendring is the Baas, or head, of the Cäcilia Wolkenburg theatrical ensemble within the Kölner Männer-Gesang-Verein. In this voluntary role, he leads the ensemble of around 111 singers and dancers and serves as production manager for the performances of the Divertissementchen at Oper Köln.

The Divertissementchen (affectionately known to Cologne locals as “et Zillche”) is one of the city’s most popular events and is unique worldwide. Each year, the Cäcilia Wolkenburg ensemble stages an original, newly created and fast-paced crossover musical in the Cologne dialect. Combining Kölsch pop, carnival music, rock, classical music, world music, popular songs and opera, it humorously addresses and parodies topics relating to Cologne. Every year, around 40,000 people attend the performances, while a further 150,000 watch the television broadcast on WDR and via the ARD Mediathek. The performances have taken place at Cologne’s opera house and its predecessors since 1875. In 2026, the Cäcilia Wolkenburg’s Divertissementchen was added to the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

In addition to the Divertissementchen, the Kölner Männer-Gesang-Verein (KMGV) demonstrates its musical quality in demanding concerts, including performances at the Kölner Philharmonie and concert tours to cities such as Hamburg (Laeiszhalle, 2025), Stuttgart (Liederhalle, 2026) and Vienna (Musikverein, 2025).

The choir was founded in 1842 to raise funds through choral concerts for the completion of Cologne Cathedral, guided by its motto, “Through beauty, always strive for goodness”. Since then, the KMGV has enriched the cultural life of Cologne and the Rhineland with its remarkable musical breadth. From classical music and songs in the Cologne dialect to international folk songs, folk music and traditional songs, as well as sacred works, gospel and complete masses, more than 180 years after its founding, the KMGV continues to demonstrate that culture, music and singing are timeless. With more than 200 singers and over 30 major performances and concerts each year, the KMGV is one of Cologne’s most active choirs and one of Germany’s largest and most versatile male choirs.