– Oper Cologne At Staatenhaus, Cologne

About this event

Der König verschenkt was is a family opera commissioned by the Kinderoper Köln (Oper Köln) and inaugurates the new Kinderoper stage beneath the small Offenbachplatz in the 2026/27 reopening season of Bühnen Köln. Music is by Cologne-based composer Philipp Matthias Kaufmann, scored for the Gürzenich-Orchester Köln. The libretto is by Martin Baltscheit, known for award-winning children’s books and audio plays and for earlier collaborations with Kinderoper Köln. The production is directed by Brigitta Gillessen, with musical direction by Rainer Mühlbach, set and costumes by Jens Kilian, lighting by Nicol Hungsberg, and dramaturgy by Stephan Steinmetz. Running approximately one hour without interval, it is recommended for ages 6 and up. The concept adapts the parable of the ring—familiar from Boccaccio’s Decameron and Lessing’s Nathan the Wise—for a young audience, exploring questions of legitimacy and coexistence through cooperation rather than possession.

Cast & creative

• L

  Jeannette

  Laura Kriese
• 

  Jeannette

  Katya Semenisty
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  Louis

  Wesley Harrison
• G

  Louis

  Geonmuk Lim
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  Claire

  Alina König Rannenberg
• L

  Claire

  Lana Sophie Westendorf
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  The Old King Detlef

  Ferhat Baday
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  The Old King Detlef

  Christoph Seidl
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  Queen Elisabeth From The South

  Lena Geiger
• M

  Queen Elisabeth From The South

  Maike Raschke
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  King Friederich From The West

  Wonjun Kim
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  King Guenther From The East

  Wolfgang Stefan Schwaiger
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  King Guenther From The East

  Miljenko Turk
• A

  Photographer

  Anna Kelly
• A

  Servant

  Anna Kelly
• A

  Death

  Anna Kelly