The Zurich Opera House and the Kühne Foundation are jointly setting a forward-looking standard for quality and innovation in musical theatre, combining support for artistic excellence with targeted leadership development. The aim is for Zurich to become an international centre for training talent in the field of musical theatre.
The Kühne Foundation is establishing the ‘Kühne Academy – Future of Musical Theatre’ to work alongside the Zurich Opera House in establishing a holistic training programme with an international reach for the next generation of singers and artistic directors. The Academy aims to comprehensively prepare young talents for their entry into the profession and for a sustainable career. It combines artistic training, leadership skills and individual career development, and is characterised by a holistic, personalised, practical and international approach, as well as collaboration with university partners.
The Academy will launch in autumn 2026 with its first training modules for singers. Complementing the artistic work of the Zurich International Opera Studio, the programme will cover career-relevant skills such as contract and financial knowledge, marketing and mental health. Furthermore, the Academy will offer individual coaching and mentoring programmes designed to support participants on their path to a successful professional career. The existing artistic training at the Opera Studio is also set to be further strengthened through this collaboration. In autumn 2027, the Artistic Director Programme will follow, focusing on leadership, strategy, innovation and personal development. The parallel development of an alumni and partner network will provide further support for participants’ long-term career development.
Emilie Reichmann, responsible for cultural projects at the Kühne Foundation: “With the Kühne Academy, we are working together with the Zurich Opera House to create a place where artistic excellence and strategic leadership skills can flourish in equal measure. The future of musical theatre needs strong personalities – both on stage and behind the scenes. This is precisely where we at the Kühne Foundation wish to make a lasting contribution.”
Matthias Schulz, Artistic Director of the Zurich Opera House: “The establishment of the Kühne Academy is an important step towards nurturing the next generation of opera singers and leaders in musical theatre. It creates a unique space for learning and gaining experience, where young talents are prepared not only for the artistic but also for the strategic challenges facing our industry. Zurich is thus becoming an international centre for training, innovation and sustainable career development in musical theatre.”