Oper Köln

The Cologne opera company performs at the Offenbachplatz in the city centre, in a modernist building designed by Wilhelm Riphahn and opened in 1957 that is now regarded as a landmark of post-war German architecture. During a long renovation the company has used temporary stages elsewhere in the city. Its repertoire spans classic opera and adventurous new productions. The distinctive 1950s structure, with its clean lines and open foyers, contrasts with the medieval cathedral nearby and represents Cologne's rebuilding after the Second World War.