Oper Dortmund has been named the recipient of the 2026 German Theater Publishers’ Prize, awarded by the Foundation of German Stage and Media Publishers.

The jury cited the company’s consistent dedication to contemporary composition in music theater, including its active commissioning of new works and its innovative approach to audience engagement. The jury also recognized the curatorial work of the dramaturgy team — Dr. Daniel C. Schindler, Nikita Dubov, and Dany Handschuh — as well as the educational programming led by Kristina Senne and Christina Schmidt.

“Music theater must continually reaffirm its social relevance while maintaining artistic excellence,” said artistic director Heribert Germeshausen. “Oper Dortmund sees itself as a pioneer of an operatic practice that acts in a contemporary manner based on a thorough knowledge of history.”

The non-monetary prize has been awarded alternately to an opera house or theater since 2006. This year’s jury included composers Iris ter Schiphorst and Ketan Bhatti, playwright Ulrich Hub, and publishing representatives Dorothea Lautenschläger, Annette Reschke, and jury chair Joscha Schaback of Schott Music.

The award ceremony will take place on May 16, 2026, as part of the “60 Years of the Opernhaus Dortmund” gala, embedded within the company’s “Wagner-Kosmos” festival.

Oper Dortmund previously won the Best Opera House of the Year Award from OPER! AWARD.

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