Diana Damrau: Insight into the fascinating world of opera!

Diana Damrau: Insight into the fascinating world of opera!

The Cologne music scene will be enriched by a very special event on July 15, 2025: The Master Soprano Diana Damrau will provide insights into her impressive career and the fascinating world of opera. Damrau, who wanted to become an opera singer at the age of 12, found her inspiration in the film “La Traviata” by Zeffirelli. An image that lit the spark for her passion, which has accompanied her ever since.

She was already musically active as a child, often singing with her grandmother. She started playing the piano at the age of nine. Although she didn't necessarily want to be an opera star at the time, she knew that she wanted to be there for the audience with her voice - without a microphone. Her career began when she made her stage debut in 1995 as Barbarina in “The Marriage of Figaro” at the Mainfranken Theater Würzburg, where she was permanently engaged for two years and soon shone in other roles such as Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady” and the Queen of the Night in “The Magic Flute”. Wikipedia provides interesting details about its beginnings.

An impressive career

Not long after her first performance, Damrau joined the Bavarian State Opera in 1999 as Zerbinetta in “Ariadne auf Naxos” and continued her triumph. She made her debut at the Vienna State Opera in 2000 and then appeared at the Salzburg Festival in 2001. From 2002, Damrau decided on a freelance career, which regularly took her to major opera houses such as the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

With a variety of roles from Mozart to Strauss to Bel Canto, she proved that her repertoire is broad. Her performances as Gilda in “Rigoletto” and the Queen of the Night are just a few examples of her impressive stage presence. Even her collision with health problems, such as edema on the right vocal cord, did not derail her for long, although she aimed for a slow recovery without surgery. This determination speaks for her character, which has made her one of the most sought-after sopranos of today.

A life of creativity

In addition to her appearances on stage, Damrau is also a sought-after concert singer. Her concert repertoire includes works from Bach to Mozart, and she has sung at various major festivals. Collaborating with greats like Plácido Domingo at an open-air event in the Olympic Stadium in Munich in 2006 is just one of many highlights in her career. Wikipedia shows how she brilliantly deals with the challenges of life and the stage.

The Cologne audience can look forward to a fascinating insight into the art and life of this extraordinary artist. Diana Damrau combines tradition with innovation and gives away her knowledge so that younger generations can also experience the magic of opera. Her life story is not only an inspiration for aspiring artists, but also a wonderful example of the dedication and passion for music that has accompanied her from an early age. We can only hope that this evening will not be an exception, but the beginning of a new series of exciting opera events in our city.