About the Opera Studio

With its internationally unique focus on comic opera and operetta as its unique selling point, the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz established its opera studio at the beginning of the 2023/2024 season, under the patronage of His Royal Highness Duke Franz of Bavaria.

Over a period of two years, four young stage talents will be specifically prepared for their careers in singing, role design, interpretation, language and movement in all areas of musical theatre. The studio also has its own piano accompanist, who is also supported as part of the programme.

Studio members receive an intensive mentoring programme, support from a highly qualified team and masterclasses with high-ranking artists. In addition, they perform in smaller and medium-sized roles and their own formats in connection with the ensemble of the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz, so that after completing their studio training they can aspire to a career in musical theatre far beyond Bavaria.

After a very successful first year, which concluded with engagements at the Salzburg Festival and two appointments to the ensemble of the Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz, the second year began at the start of the 2025/2026 season.

The application process for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 seasons is now closed. The next regular application round for our Opera Studio (for the 2027/28 season) will take place in autumn/winter 2026. We will publish all the eligibility criteria and deadlines for applications on our website by 6 October 2026.

Josef Ernst Köpplinger – Staatsintendant Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz, Munich
Herbert Hillig – General Director – Opera Studio at Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz in Munich
Stephen Delaney – Artistic Director – Opera Studio at Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz in Munich
KS Ann-Katrin Naidu – Support and coordination