Ina Karr has been named the new General Director of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein.

The news was announced by the state capital of Düsseldorf, the city of Duisburg, and the Friends of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein following prior consultation with the Supervisory Board.

Karr will start in her position during the 2027-28 season for an initial period of five years and will succeed Christoph Meyer, who, after 16 years of service, prematurely terminated his contract for health reasons.

Karr will also make history, becoming the first woman to hold this position at the Deutsche Oper am Rhein. Throughout her career, Karr has been Artistic Director and CEO of the Lucerne Theater and has had leading positions at the Opera at the Nationaltheater Mannheim, the Oldenburg State Theater, and the Mainz State Theater.

In a statement, Karr said, “I am very much looking forward to the Deutsche Oper am Rhein. I am attracted by the creative potential of this special theater partnership between Düsseldorf and Duisburg and thus by the artistic connection between two cities—interesting in so many different ways. For me, musical theater and ballet are brought to life and attractive by a rich repertoire, close proximity to the audience and the city, and above all by large, brilliant, confident ensembles. I see the DOR as a home of artists. With them and the many employees, we want to create a program that tells our stories, past and present, through music. With my team, I want to broaden the stylistic spectrum in our own new dramaturgy—from Baroque to contemporary opera. The DOR is to become a distinguished venue for new creations, regionally rooted and internationally radiant. Opera for a young audience is expressly and particularly close to my heart; I see this as a social mission. And of course, I am already looking forward to the construction projects in Düsseldorf and Duisburg with excitement and artistic curiosity. – Huge opportunities for new perspectives.”

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