Concerts ‘Defying Gravity: the songs of Stephen Schwartz’ in Cologne, Germany

2026-09-12 – 11:30 h

This October, the show ‘Defying Gravity: the songs of Stephen Schwartz’ comes to Cologne’s Kölner Philharmonie with a cast of leading European musical theatre stars and the WDR Funkhausorchester led by Guy Simpson. These concerts mark the beginning of a new international life for the show.

There will be a live stream of the concerts on: https://www.youtube.com/@ARDKlassik

About the show:

Defying Gravity is a spectacular concert celebration which of the extraordinary songs of Stephen Schwartz, spanning five decades of musical theatre and film, from Godspell and Pippin to Wicked, Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt.

Following its five-star premiere at Sydney’s Theatre Royal 10 years ago, the concert returns in a new international chapter, uniting world-class orchestras with leading musical theatre voices for one unforgettable evening.

“Defying Gravity brings together songs from across my whole career. I’m delighted to see the concert reaching new audiences around the world.” — Stephen Schwartz

Stephen Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics for the iconic Broadway hit Wicked, and has also contributed music and/or lyrics to Godspell, Pippin, The Magic Show, The Baker’s Wife, Working (which he also adapted and directed), Rags, and Children of Eden.

A three-time Academy Award winner and four-time Grammy recipient, his film work includes Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Enchanted, and The Prince of Egypt.

Official concerts description:

It’s time to try defying gravity! Stephen Schwartz has been regarded as one of the greatest artists of his generation for well before his record-breaking musical *Wicked*: Since the 1970s, he has been shaping Broadway and Hollywood with musicals such as “Pippin” and “Godspell”, and through his work as a lyricist and songwriter on films such as “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, “Pocahontas” and “The Prince of Egypt”.

It’s high time for a special tribute: the WDR Funkhaus Orchestra has invited some of Europe’s most sought-after musical theatre stars – Anton Zetterholm, Roberta Valentini, Merlin Fargel, Milica Jovanović and Harriet Jones – to celebrate Stephen Schwartz’s extraordinary body of work. On the programme: the most popular hits, intimate ballads and the full power of sound, from “The Wizard & I” to “Magic To Do”. Great melodies meet a grand orchestra and truly magnificent voices – a musical concert in a class of its own!

Artists: