Michael Hampe

{{Infobox person

| name = Michael Hampe

| image = Michael Hampe (2a).jpg

| image_size =

| alt = Colour publicity shot of a half-smiling, clean-shaven man with dark eyes and eyebrows, strong features, and short white hair brushed forward

| caption = Michael Hampe, {{circa}} 1990

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth date|1935|06|03|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Heidelberg, Baden, Germany

| death_date = {{death date and age|2022|11|18|1935|06|03|df=yes}}

| death_place = Zürich, Switzerland

| education = {{plainlist|

}}

| occupation = {{plainlist|

Theatre director
Opera director
Academic teacher
General manager

}}

| organizations = {{plainlist|

}}

| awards =

}}

Michael Hampe (3 June 1935 – 18 November 2022) was a German theatre and opera director, general manager (Intendant) and actor.{{Cite book|last=Buck|first=Elmar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kdcdAQAAIAAJ|title=Köln, die Stadt und ihr Theater: Orte und Personen : Oper, Schauspiel, Tanz : Dokumente der Theaterwissenschaftlichen Sammlung Schloss Wahn, Universität zu Köln|date=2007|publisher=M. Faste Verlag|isbn=978-3-931691-52-3|pages=266|language=de}} He developed from acting and directing plays at German and Swiss theatres including the Bern Theatre, to focus on directing opera and managing opera houses, first at the Mannheim National Theatre, then the Cologne Opera from 1975. He was professor at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln since 1977. Hampe was influential for both the Salzburg Festival and, after the reunification of Germany, the Dresden Music Festival for which he commissioned and directed world premieres. He directed at international opera houses and festivals, including productions recorded for television, film and DVD.

Life and career

Born in Heidelberg on 3 June 1935,{{Cite web|title=Michael Hampe – Oper Köln|url=https://www.oper.koeln/de/kuenstler/michael-hampe/834|access-date=17 March 2021|website=www.oper.koeln}} Hampe was the son of the architect Hermann Hampe and his wife Annemarie née Ebler. His grandfather was the historian Karl Hampe; his great-grandfather was the cultural historian Johannes Scherr. Hampe attended the humanist Gymnasium in Heidelberg. During this time he spent a year in the United States, where he studied chamber music as a cellist at Syracuse University, New York, with Louis Krasner.{{cite encyclopedia |last= |first= |url=http://www.munzinger.de/document/00000017888 |title=Hampe, Michael |encyclopedia=Munzinger Online/Personen – Internationales Biographisches Archiv |date=2008 |publisher=Munzinger Online/KLfG |location=Ravensburg |language=de |access-date=12 March 2021}}{{cite book | last=Hampe | first=Michael | title=Opernschule: Für Liebhaber, Macher und Verächter des Musiktheaters | publisher=Böhlau Verlag Köln | year=2015 | isbn=978-3-412-22500-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2uxrDAAAQBAJ | language=de | access-date=12 March 2021 | page=141}} After graduation, he trained as an actor at the Otto-Falckenberg-Schule in Munich.{{Theaterlexikon|Michael Hampe|2|791|792|Autor=Ute Kröger}} He also studied dramatics and musicology at the Heidelberg University and in Munich. He studied further in Vienna with Heinz Kindermann, and submitted his doctoral dissertation on the development of stage technology.

Engagements as an actor and stage director in German and Swiss theatres followed. His time at the Bern Theatre between 1963 and 1965 proved key to his development as a director, where he staged works including Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Molière's The Misanthrope, Goethe's Faust I, Brecht's Life of Galileo, Mozart's operas Idomeneo and Die Zauberflöte,{{Cite web|last=Weiden|first=Olaf|date=4 October 2020|title=Märchenhaft: Michael Hampe bringt die "Zauberflöte" zurück nach Köln|url=https://www.rundschau-online.de/news/kultur/maerchenhaft-michael-hampe-bringt-die--zauberfloete--zurueck-nach-koeln-37435122|access-date=17 March 2021|website=Kölnische Rundschau|language=de-DE}} and Heinrich Sutermeister's Der rote Stiefel.

From 1972 to 1975, Hampe was general manager and artistic director (Intendant) of the Mannheim National Theatre.{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Blyth|first1=Alan|author1-link=Alan Blyth|year=2001|title=Hampe, Michael (Hermann)|encyclopedia=The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians|edition=2nd|editor1=Stanley Sadie|editor-link=Stanley Sadie|editor2=John Tyrrell|editor2-link=John Tyrrell (musicologist)|location=London|publisher=Macmillan}}

In 1975, Hampe was named general manager and artistic director of the Cologne Opera,{{cite web | last1=Umbach | first1=Klaus |author1-link=Klaus Umbach | title=SPIEGEL Gespräch : "Es müßte mehr, nicht weniger Oper geben" – Der Spiegel 26/1981 | website=Der Spiegel | date=22 June 1981 | url=https://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-14341860.html | language=de | access-date=12 March 2021}} a position he held for 20 years. During his tenure, the Cologne Opera became one of the leading opera houses in Europe. His productions of works by Richard Wagner and Gioachino Rossini are remembered, as well as his engagement for the operas of Benjamin Britten and Leos Janáček.{{cite web | title=Oper Köln: Regisseur Michael Hampe verstorben | website=stereo.de | date=21 November 2022 | url=https://www.stereo.de/fonoforum/artikel/oper-koeln-regisseur-michael-hampe-verstorben |language=de | access-date=24 November 2022}} His 1979 production of Cimarosa's Il matrimonio segreto became a worldwide success with performances in London, Paris, Edinburgh, Venice, Stockholm, Washington, Tokyo and Dresden, and was awarded international prizes including the Olivier Award. He returned to Cologne in the 2015/16 season to direct Puccini's La bohème, a season later Beethoven's Fidelio, and in the 2020/21 season Mozart's Die Zauberflöte.{{cite web | title=Prachtvolle "Zauberflöte" in der Regie des Altmeisters Michael Hampe in Köln | website=DAS OPERNMAGAZIN | date=5 October 2020 | url=https://opernmagazin.de/prachtvolle-zauberfloete-in-der-regie-des-altmeisters-michael-hampe-in-koeln/ | language=de | access-date=12 March 2021}}

Hampe was on the board of directors of the Salzburg Festival{{Cite web|title=Hat die Oper eine Zukunft?|url=https://idw-online.de/en/event42455|access-date=17 March 2021|website=idw-online.de}} from 1983 until 1990, where he was the stage director for productions, often in collaboration with the scenic designer Mauro Pagano.{{Cite web|title=Salzburger Festspiele > INSTITUTION > ARCHIV > Archivdetail|url=https://archive.salzburgerfestspiele.at/archive_detail/programid/142/id/0/j/1988|access-date=17 March 2021|website=archive.salzburgerfestspiele.at}}{{Cite web|title=MusicalAmerica – Festival of the Year:The Salzburg Festival, Ever Young at 100|url=https://www.musicalamerica.com/features/?fid=348&fyear=2020|access-date=17 March 2021|website=www.musicalamerica.com}} His productions included the world premiere of Henze's adaptation of Monteverdi's Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria in 1985,{{Cite web|title=The History of the Salzburg Festival /1985|url=https://archive.salzburgerfestspiele.at/history/1985|publisher=Salzburg Festival|access-date=22 March 2021}}{{Cite news|first1=Klaus |last1=Umbach |author1-link=Klaus Umbach |title=Vierspännig durchs Land des Hechelns|url=https://www.spiegel.de/kultur/vierspaennig-durchs-land-des-hechelns-a-4ac5ade9-0002-0001-0000-000013515570|access-date=17 March 2021 |website=Der Spiegel |date=18 August 1985 |language=de}} Don Giovanni conducted by Herbert von Karajan in 1987, Rossini's La Cenerentola conducted by Riccardo Chailly in 1988, and Le nozze di Figaro conducted by Bernard Haitink in 1991.{{Cite web|title=Mit Mozart aus der Krise {{!}} choices – Kultur. Kino. Köln.|url=https://www.choices.de/die-zauberfloete-michael-hampe-oper-koeln|access-date=17 March 2021|website=www.choices.de}}

Hampe served as a guest director at major opera houses and festivals. For The Royal Opera, London, he directed Andrea Chénier (1984), and Rossini's The Barber of Seville (1985) and La Cenerentola (1990). Other organizations where he directed include La Scala in Milan, as well as in Paris, Munich, Athens, Stockholm, Helsinki, San Francisco,[http://archive.sfopera.com/qry4webcrewlist.asp?psearch=Michael%20Hampe&Submit=GO Productions with Michael Hampe] archive San Francisco. Los Angeles, Washington,{{Cite web|title=History {{!}} Kennedy Center|url=https://www.kennedy-center.org/wno/home/about/history-and-legacy/history/|access-date=17 March 2021|website=www.kennedy-center.org|language=en}} Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, Sydney and Tokyo,{{Cite web|title=Headfull – Opera 2017: Das Rheingold|url=https://headfull.jp/opera-2017-das-rheingold|access-date=17 March 2021|website=headfull.jp|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=5 March 2020|title=Biwako Hall in Japan to Perform 'Götterdämmerung' without Audience|url=https://operawire.com/biwako-hall-in-japan-to-perform-gotterdammerung-without-audience/|access-date=17 March 2021|website=Opera Wire|language=en-US}} and at festivals in Florence, Pesaro, Ravenna, Drottningholm, Edinburgh and Lucerne Festival. Many of his productions were recorded for television broadcast or made into films. The total number of his productions is more than 260 as of 2020.{{Cite web|title=Michael Hampe, Regie|url=https://www.operabase.com/artists/michael-hampe-12256/de|access-date=17 March 2021|website=Operabase|language=de}}

After the Reunification of Germany, Hampe assumed the artistic direction of the Dresden Music Festival,{{Cite web|title=Musik und Fragen zur Person – Der Regisseur Michael Hampe|url=https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/musik-und-fragen-zur-person-der-regisseur-michael-hampe.1782.de.html?dram:article_id=275481|access-date=17 March 2021|website=Deutschlandfunk|language=de-DE}} which he led to new international recognition, together with {{ill|Kim Ry Andersen|de}} as managing and deputy director. During his tenure from 1993 to 2000,{{cite web | title=Oper von Wilfried Maria Danner eröffnet 16. Europäische Kulturtage – neue musikzeitung | website=nmz | url=https://www.nmz.de/kiz/nachrichten/oper-von-wilfried-maria-danner-eroeffnet-16-europaeische-kulturtage | language=de | access-date=12 March 2021}} he commissioned works from composers such as Siegfried Matthus (Farinelli, 1998){{Cite news|first1=Klaus |last1=Umbach |author1-link=Klaus Umbach |title=Rülpser zwischen Samt und Seide|url=https://www.spiegel.de/kultur/ruelpser-zwischen-samt-und-seide-a-82a7f339-0002-0001-0000-000007834967|access-date=17 March 2021 |website=Der Spiegel |date=March 1998 |language=de}} and {{ill|Wilfried Maria Danner|de}} (Die Sündflut, 2002), directing their world premieres. His 2000 production of Handel's Serse at the Semperoper[https://www.semperoper.de/ensemble/personen/peid/michael-hampe/179.html Michael Hampe / Inszenierung] Semperoper Dresden, 2021 was recorded for the internet.[https://www.medici.tv/en/operas/christophe-rousset-conducts-haendel-serse/ opera Handel's Serse] medici.tv 2000

= Teaching =

Hampe was professor at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln since 1977.{{cite web | title=HfMT Köln: Lehrende | website=HfMT Köln | url=https://www.hfmt-koeln.de/lehrende/ | language=de | access-date=13 March 2021}} He also taught at numerous universities and academies in Germany and abroad, including Yale University{{cite web | title=Performance Activities | website=Bulletin of Yale University | date=1 January 2020 | url=https://bulletin.yale.edu/bulletins/music/performance-activities | access-date=13 March 2021}} and the University of Southern California (USC), as well as Europäische Akademie für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Palazzo Ricci, Montepulciano.{{Cite web|title=Palazzo Ricci: Dozentenarchiv|url=https://www.palazzoricci.com/meisterkurse/dozentenarchiv/|access-date=17 March 2021|website=www.palazzoricci.com}} Hampe was honorary board member of the European Music Theater Academy (EMA) in Vienna.{{cite web | title=Honorary Members of the Academy | website=Europäische Musiktheater-Akademie | date=13 March 2021 | url=https://musiktheater-akademie.eu/board/honorary-members/ | access-date=13 March 2021}}

= Theatre construction consultant =

Hampe was in demand as a theatre construction expert and was vice president of the German Theatre Technology Society. He consulted for the buildings of the Opéra Bastille in Paris and the New National Theatre Tokyo, as well as renovation and modernisation of older theatres.{{Cite web|title=Michael Hampe – Deutsche Oper am Rhein|url=https://operamrhein.de/de_DE/person/michael-hampe.53079|access-date=17 March 2021|website=operamrhein.de}}

= Death =

Hampe died in Zürich on 18 November 2022, at the age of 87.{{Cite news |title=Regisseur und Intendant Michael Hampe gestorben |url=https://www1.wdr.de/kultur/kulturnachrichten/michael-hampe-regisseur-gestorben-100.html |date= 21 November 2022 |access-date=22 November 2022 |publisher=WDR | language=de}}{{Cite web |title=Michael Hampe + |url=https://www.oper.koeln/de/kuenstler/michael-hampe/834 |date= 21 November 2022 |access-date=24 November 2022 |publisher=Cologne Opera | language=de}}

Awards and distinctions

Hampe was awarded the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Goldenes {{ill|Ehrenzeichen des Landes Salzburg|de}} and was named Commendatore of the Italian Republic. He was an honorary member of numerous organisations and federations.

Works and publications

Oper in Köln. Michael Hampe 1975–1995. Illustrations by Paul Leclaire, collaboration with Franz-Peter Kothes; Wienand Verlag, Cologne 1995, {{ISBN|978-3-87909-429-5}}.
Alles Theater – Reden und Aufsätze. With illustrations by Mauro Pagano; Wienand Verlag, Cologne 2000, {{ISBN|3-87909-695-3}}.
Oper – Spiel ohne Regel. Hollitzer Wissenschaftsverlag, Vienna 2013, {{ISBN|978-3-99012-100-9}}.
Hat die Oper eine Zukunft? Ferdinand Schöningh Verlag, Paderborn 2013, {{ISBN|978-3-506-77300-5}}.
Opernschule für Liebhaber, Macher und Verächter des Musiktheaters. Böhlau Verlag Vienna / Cologne / Weimar 2015, {{ISBN|978-3-412-22500-1}}.
English edition: The Crafty Art of Opera. The Boydell Press, Woodbridge 2016, {{ISBN|978-1-78204-700-1}}
Japanese edition: Opera no gakkō. Suiyosha Verlag, Tokyo 2017.[https://www.deutsche-digitale-bibliothek.de/item/ED7UCJQTF6CHNYMG6NSJDESRJON2DMZE Opera no gakkō] Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek
Über Theater, Reden und Schriften. Wienand Verlag, Cologne 2015, {{ISBN|978-3-86832-259-0}}

Archive and estate

Part of Hampe's archive is located in the University of Cologne's theatre collection, which will also receive and administer his complete theatrical estate.{{cite web | last=Wilmes | first=Hartmut | title=Schatzhaus in Gefahr | website=Kölnische Rundschau | date=21 December 2005 | url=https://www.rundschau-online.de/schatzhaus-in-gefahr-11477022 | language=de | access-date=13 March 2021}}

References

External links

[https://www.opera-online.com/en/items/personnalities/michael-hampe-1935 Michael Hampe] at opera-online.com
[https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199578108.001.0001/acref-9780199578108-e-4173 Hampe, Michael] at oxfordreference.com

Category:1935 births

Category:2022 deaths

Category:Commanders Crosses of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany

Category:Commanders of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic

Category:German opera directors

Category:Academic staff of the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln

Category:Mass media people from Heidelberg