Entertainment

The people of Hanover simply called it "GOP"—their variety theater in the Georgspalast, where the biggest stars of their time performed, such as Heinz Erhard, Zarah Leander, Vico Torriani, and Caterina Valente. When the theater reopened in 1992, the abbreviation became a brand name. Its glorious tradition was carried into the present day, shaping a modern variety theater. Today, GOP sets the standard in international variety entertainment and has become so successful that it now operates seven theaters across Germany. The family-run business has produced 300 shows to date, attracted 15 million spectators, and is also a regular guest aboard the luxury cruise ship MS Europa. The fantastic shows Premiere and Highlights, created exclusively for the MS Europa, are hosted by moderator and entertainer Oli Materlik. Born in the Rhineland and now based in Hamburg, he has been the “Swiss Army knife” of humor, entertainment, and quality live performance for over 25 years. A three-time winner of major cabaret awards and a familiar face from various TV formats, Oli Materlik is clearly among the elite of comedians and hosts. He picks his punchlines right where they grow—naturally and spontaneously—delivering them with wit, charm, and eloquence. The show features a top-class lineup of international performers: juggler Jonas Alich, Maria "La Suricata Circus" with her captivating hula hoop routines, Francois Loooop with his LED performance, Annissa Elakel’s handstand acrobatics, and together with tricking artist Anssi Nurmi, forming the German-Finnish duo Noel, presenting an extraordinary partner acrobatics act. Get ready for a high-energy mix of laughter, amazement, and thrills—performed to perfection!

This internationally touring band of acclaimed songwriters brings a unique presence and an authentic chemistry to every stage. Their harmonic sibling vocals and family dynamic immediately create a connection with the audience. Whether in an intimate living room concert or a sold-out Performing Arts Centre, the classically trained singers make it their mission to deeply move listeners with three-part harmonies and honest storytelling. 

In the fall of 2025, The Pairs will release their fourth studio album. This new record captures the authentic, minimalist, and acoustic sound that makes their live performances so special.

Agnes Selma Weiland was recently seen in the role of "Turandot" in Puccini's opera of the same name and is currently performing as the Electress in C. Zeller's operetta Der Vogelhändler. The soprano, born in Dresden, graduated with honors from the HfMT Leipzig, where she completed her vocal diploma, and subsequently became a member of Renata Scotto's opera studio in Rome. Her stage career began as Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni at the Theater Bremen. As a scholarship holder of the Richard Wagner Association Leipzig, she was given the early opportunity to study and present roles from the great dramatic soprano repertoire. She performed Sieglinde and later Brünnhilde in the Ring for Children at the Leipzig Opera, as well as the First Lady in Mozart's The Magic Flute. Other important milestones in her career took her to the Opéra National de Lyon (including Susanna in Hindemith's Sancta Susanna) and the Theater Basel. At the Tiroler Festspiele, she performed Elisabeth in Tannhäuser, Elsa in Lohengrin, and Verdi’s Aida. Through her numerous international concert tours across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the USA, she has consistently impressed with her secure high notes, warm timbre, strong stage presence, and deep empathy for her repertoire and roles. In November 2023, her CD SOLO ME was released. She is a scholarship holder of the GVL and a prizewinner in several international competitions, such as the XIII. International Singing Competition in Bilbao.

Born into a family of singers, Adriana Mladenova grew up in the Operettenhaus and among various choirs. Her musical education began at the age of 5 in her home country of Bulgaria. She did not follow her parents' idea of becoming a singer but instead remained devoted to the piano. This has been her instrument of choice throughout her life, having been trained in two specialized schools and further honed through rigorous studies at the Dresden University of Music. Her passion for chamber music developed early on and became Adriana Mladenova's most cherished field of activity. She believes that in ensemble playing, the liveliness of music can be felt most profoundly. She has accepted invitations to the Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival in Maine, USA, and the Parkhouse Award in London, and regularly performs in various settings with string players, wind musicians, chamber orchestras, and even often takes on a prominent soloist role in symphony orchestras. Following her own studies, she spent over 20 years as a lecturer at the Dresden University of Music, where she was responsible for the musical training of subsequent generations of young musicians.

Pauline Herold, born in Pirna, captivates audiences with her versatile and passionate interpretation of violin repertoire. She studied in Hannover, London, and Leipzig and gained extensive experience early on in renowned orchestras and ensembles. Since 2024, she has been a member of the Academy of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam and regularly collaborates with established orchestras such as the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra, the MDR Symphony Orchestra, and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Her concert tours have taken her to major concert halls across Europe, as well as to the USA, Japan, and South America. She has worked with distinguished conductors including Klaus Mäkelä, Paavo Järvi, Manfred Honeck, and Kirill Petrenko. As an enthusiastic chamber musician, Pauline has collaborated with members of the Quatuor Ébène, the Dover Quartet, the Kuss Quartet, and the Scharoun Ensemble. She has performed in various formations at the Zermatt Festival, the Allegrovivo Festival, and the Holland Music Sessions. A special passion for music education and the development of new concert formats has led her to collaborate with the Treppenhausorchester Hannover and the Ensemble Reflektor.