Hamburg State Opera has announced the death of Klaus-Michael Kühne.

The Hamburg entrepreneur and patron died at the age of 89 following a long illness in his adopted home in Switzerland.

Throughout his life, Kühne remained closely connected to his hometown for decades and devoted himself to its culture with great generosity, passion and a personal determination to shape its future. His commitment to culture in Hamburg, particularly through the new opera house planned jointly with the Kühne Foundation, will continue to shape Hamburg as a cultural city beyond his death.

Through his foundation, he has supported the Hamburg State Opera, Hamburg Ballet and the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra, making a significant contributions to enabling artistic projects, opening up international perspectives and strengthening Hamburg’s musical and dance excellence.

With his help, the Hamburg State Opera, ballet and orchestra will have a new building that intended to provide a  shared, forward-looking perspective. Once completed, the opera house is to be transferred as a gift to the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.

In a statement, Tobias Schock, General Director of Hamburg State Opera said, “A sad day for Hamburg State Opera! With Klaus-Michael Kühne, our institution is losing not only one of the longest-standing and most generous patrons in its history, but also a close friend. Klaus-Michael Kühne’s love for our art form, for the artists, especially for the great repertoire of Italian opera, was a defining characteristic that shaped his personality. With his initiative for a new opera house, Klaus-Michael Kühne gave this personal passion a form that served the common good. The endeavour to give his hometown a new home for opera, ballet and the orchestra was and is unique – an extraordinary expression of his connection to Hamburg and a legacy of great significance. His commitment to Hamburg’s culture was shaped by the convictions that art enriches a city, strengthens its international profile and at the same time creates something lasting for generations to come.”

Outside of opera, the German businessman was the honorary chairman and majority owner of the international transport company Kühne + Nagel, co-founded by his grandfather, August Kühne and was an important shareholder of flag-carrier Lufthansa, main owner of Hapag-Lloyd and Kühne+Nagel. He was known as one of the money elites of Germany with influence into politics and economic circles.