Singing in the chorus
The Children’s Chorus and the Boys’ Chorus of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, comprising around 200 singers, form an important part of the ensemble. Here, the young singers can develop their skills under professional guidance. In the Junior Children’s Chorus (ages 7–10), the youngest members learn how to use their voices and are prepared for the great operatic repertoire for children’s choirs. The Children’s Chorus (aged 8 and over) performs in opera productions on the main stage. Children who have already gained considerable stage experience sing in the Concert Chorus, performing a repertoire that extends beyond the standard operatic repertoire. The Youth Chorus brings together young male voices (from the time of voice change) and female voices (aged 16 and over). They develop a broad repertoire spanning different styles and eras. From a cappella programmes and oratorios to modern opera productions, the choir covers a wide musical spectrum. Further project ensembles have emerged from the Boys’ Chorus: alongside a group of young male voices, a mixed ensemble performs together with well-known singer-songwriters in the concert series Tanz auf dem Vulkan.
The Children's Chorus is supported by Dobolino e. V.
Contact
Contact details and enquiries regarding auditions for the Children’s Chorus (ages 7 and over) and the Boys’ Chorus (ages 16 and over)
Per Kreutzberger (Inspector of the Children's Chorus)
kreutzberger@deutscheoperberlin.de
Conductor and Musical Assistants
Christian Lindhorst (Conductor of the Children’s Chorus and Youth Chorus)
Cornelia Knoch (Conductor of the Junior Chorus)
Niklas Wagner (Conductor of Voice Changer, Assistant Conductor of the Youth Chorus and Director of Tanz auf dem Vulkan)
Davide Guarneri (Assistant Conductor of the Children’s Chorus and Youth Chorus)
Voice training
Natali Buck and Kristina Griep (solo voice training)
Tanja Ammon, Lisa Ziehm, Lorena Medina, Senta Aue and Hrund Ósk Árnadóttir
Childcare workers
Tanja Wagner (lead support worker), Viola Wluka, Kay Bretschneider
With around 140 singers, the Deutsche Oper Berlin Children’s Chorus is a closely integrated partner of the opera house. Here, the children receive a thorough musical and vocal education in age-appropriate choral groups, with the aim of performing alongside the professionals on the opera stage and showcasing their talents in concerts. In the 2026/27 season, the Children’s Chorus will once again feature in many productions, such as Carmen, La bohème, Hansel and Gretel, The Queen of Spades, Tosca, Turandot and the new production of War Requiem. A key feature in recent seasons has been the Children’s Chorus in St Matthew Passion, Immermeeehr, Die drei Rätsel and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Our young singers are also preparing for their first small performances under the direction of Cornelia Knoch. In its concerts, the Children's Chorus spans a musical spectrum ranging from the Renaissance to contemporary music. Concert tours have taken the Children's Chorus to venues including the Salzburg Festival, the Philharmonie Essen and South Africa. In September 2026, the Capriccio label released a recording of all the works for children’s choir by the Czech composer Miloslav Kabeláč, the first-ever recording of these works featuring the Children’s Chorus of the Deutsche Oper Berlin.
Further information is also available on the website of the Friends of the Children’s and Youth Chorus of the Deutsche Oper Berlin
When the boys’ voices suddenly start doing happy somersaults, they move on to the Voice Changers. Under the guidance of Christian Lindhorst and Niklas Wagner, the change of voice is not seen as an obstacle to singing, but as a time of vocal (re)discovery. Once their voices have settled again, the boys have the opportunity to join the Boys’ Chorus’s male ensemble. This ensemble independently rehearses choral pieces ranging from the Renaissance and Romantic periods to barbershop and pop. The members share the musical and choreographic responsibility for the choral pieces amongst themselves and organise the rehearsals independently. Renowned lecturers in singing, choral conducting and choreography are on hand to provide inspiration for the rehearsals.
At the age of 16, the girls also face a change: together with the Men's Ensemble and the Voice Changers, they form the Youth Chorus, whose repertoire ranges from Baroque opera to contemporary choral works. As well as performances at the Tischlerei, including Emilio de’ Cavalieri’s Baroque opera Das große Spiel, the chorus has given concerts at Berlin’s Gedächtniskirche, the Salzburg Festival, in Wernigerode, Turin and Rheinsberg, and took part in the AMJ’s International Youth Chamber Choir Festival on the island of Usedom in August 2026. A particular highlight is the annual Christmas concert with the Kammersymphonie Berlin (conducted by Jürgen Bruns) at the Apostel-Paulus-Kirche in Berlin-Schöneberg. The chorus is also increasingly appearing on the main stage of the Deutsche Oper: most recently in Die Drei Rätsel by Detlev Glanert. The Youth Chorus is conducted by Christian Lindhorst, with Niklas Wagner and Davide Guarneri serving as his assistants.
An ensemble has also been formed from within the Youth Chorus for the Tanz auf dem Vulkan programme. Together with singer-songwriters such as Marlene and Zartmann, they add a choral part to their songs and perform together at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, the Tempodrom, the ZK/U Berlin and the RAW site. The events are organised by the Untergang collective in collaboration with the Deutsche Oper Berlin. Niklas Wagner leads this choral group and also writes the choral arrangements.
Music knows no age limits: in our intergenerational chorus, we bring together people of all ages with a wide variety of stories and backgrounds. Whether you’ve brought your grandchildren along, persuaded your neighbour to join, or simply dropped by on your own: you’ll feel right at home here. And the best part? You get to have a say! Our repertoire is as diverse as the group itself – from heart-warming folk songs and world music to your favourite pop songs. Together, we’re working towards two highlights: we’re part of the huge community project Music Circus on 12 June 2027, and we’re putting together our own concert programme in the foyer (date to be announced). In keeping with the season’s theme, we’re celebrating love: «Make Love...».
Conductor
Senta Aue (alto in the opera chorus)
Rehearsals
take place on Mondays from 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm at the Deutsche Oper Berlin.
Participation is free of charge.
Registration jungedeutscheoper@deutscheoperberlin.de
