This prize for actresses is a lifetime achievement award recognising a lifelong career. The ring, set with an antique Persian coin, is a foundation endowed by the actress Hermine Körner (1878–1960), who directed in her will that it be always in the possession of an “actress striving for excellence”. Hermine Körner herself awarded the ring to her colleague Roma Bahn. The respective successor is selected by the Performing Arts Section, of which Körner was a member since 1955.

Hermine Körner

Hermine Körner (1878–1960), who was born and died in Berlin, was not only one of the most important tragic actresses of 20th-century German-speaking theatre, but also a theatre director.

Finger ring with a side relief of a woman's face — Hermine Körner Ring
© Kerstin Brümmer

In 1919, she ended an engagement with Max Reinhardt to become director of the Munich Schauspielhaus Theatre. In 1925, she directed first at the Albert Theatre, then at the Komödie (Comedy) Theatre, before finally returning to the Albert Theatre.

Körner spent the Nazi era in the ensemble of the Berlin State Theatre under artistic director Gustaf Gründgens, where she played Hans Rehberg’s Queen Isabella, Shaw’s Mrs. Warren, and Ibsen’s Mrs. Inger.

In the post-war years, she enjoyed sensational success in 1950 as Giraudoux’s Madwoman of Chaillot in Karl-Heinz Stroux’s staging at the Berlin Hebbel Theatre, as well as in Mattias Braun’s productions of ancient plays.

Award Recipients

2010

Hildegard Schmahl

Award Recipients since 1960

2010
Hildegard Schmahl

2004
Gisela Stein

1975
Marianne Hoppe

1960
Roma Bahn

Hermine Körner Ring

2010

Hildegard Schmahl

Award Recipients since 1960