Requiem for a dilapidated bridge
by Anna-Sophie Mahler and Viola Köster
with the Cologne Cathedral Choir and the experimental choir Alte Stimmen
Premiere: Saturday, November 29, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
If urban planning were a concert, what would it sound like, the livable city of the future? How do you sing about “bridge renovation” and “transformation,” how do you intone “shading strategy”? And which voices herald ecological change? We talk to people from the construction industry and urban development, to economists, futurologists, and activists about the existing plans for a sustainable Cologne—and about the resistance they encounter. The original recordings thus obtained are used to create a musical theater piece by Cologne residents for Cologne, a concert of voices for three actresses, two Cologne choirs, and a city of the future. “For we have no lasting place here, but seek the future,” says Johannes Brahms' Requiem, sung by the Cologne Cathedral Choir, echoing from the dilapidated city walls. Director Anna-Sophie Mahler is a specialist in weaving together research material and music. She became known for her production of Mittelreich at the Munich Kammerspiele, which was invited to the Berlin Theatertreffen in 2016. Most recently, her production of Tennessee Williams' Camino Real at the Volkstheater Wien, with the band Calexico live on stage, was a huge success. The performance takes place at several locations throughout the building and lasts about 1 1/2 hours. Afterwards, Kolumba remains open for free tours until 10 p.m. On the days of the performance, Kolumba is open exclusively for visits to the play.