Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Opera

 

 

Orchestral

 

The Children's Chorus of Cologne Opera is a renowned classical music artist that has captivated audiences around the world with their angelic voices and exceptional talent. The choir was founded in 1963 by the Cologne Opera's then-director, Michael Hampe, with the aim of providing young singers with the opportunity to perform in professional productions. The choir's early years were marked by a series of successful performances in Cologne and the surrounding region. However, it was not until the 1970s that the Children's Chorus of Cologne Opera began to gain international recognition. In 1972, the choir was invited to perform at the Salzburg Festival, one of the most prestigious classical music festivals in the world. The performance was a resounding success, and the choir was invited back to the festival several times over the next few years. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Children's Chorus of Cologne Opera continued to build its reputation as one of the world's leading children's choirs. The choir performed in major concert halls and opera houses across Europe, including the Royal Opera House in London, the Vienna State Opera, and the Paris Opera. The choir also made several recordings during this period, including a critically acclaimed album of Christmas carols. One of the highlights of the choir's early years was their performance in the 1984 production of Benjamin Britten's opera "The Turn of the Screw" at the Salzburg Festival. The production, which was directed by the renowned German director Peter Stein, was widely praised for its innovative staging and the exceptional performances of the cast, including the Children's Chorus of Cologne Opera. In the 1990s, the Children's Chorus of Cologne Opera continued to expand its repertoire and perform in major productions around the world. One of the highlights of this period was their performance in the 1996 production of Richard Wagner's "Parsifal" at the Bayreuth Festival, one of the most prestigious opera festivals in the world. The production, which was directed by the acclaimed German director Wolfgang Wagner, was widely praised for its innovative staging and the exceptional performances of the cast, including the Children's Chorus of Cologne Opera. In addition to their performances in major productions, the Children's Chorus of Cologne Opera also continued to perform in concerts and recitals around the world. One of the highlights of this period was their performance at the 1998 World Cup opening ceremony in Paris, where they sang the official anthem of the tournament, "The Cup of Life." Over the years, the Children's Chorus of Cologne Opera has received numerous awards and accolades for their exceptional performances. In 1993, the choir was awarded the German Record Critics' Award for their recording of Christmas carols. In 2003, the choir was awarded the Echo Klassik Award for their recording of Benjamin Britten's "War Requiem." The choir has also been awarded the German Music Prize and the European Culture Prize for their contributions to classical music. Today, the Children's Chorus of Cologne Opera continues to be one of the world's leading children's choirs, with a repertoire that spans from classical to contemporary music. The choir is made up of around 150 young singers between the ages of 10 and 18, who are selected through a rigorous audition process. The choir's current director is Markus Schuck, who has been with the choir since 2003.

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