Hit-guarantor and legal historian Michael Kunze talks about his art and his work at the Viadrina

He wrote the lyrics for Udo Jürgens' "Griechischer Wein" and "Ich war noch niemals in New York", wrote the libretto for "The Lion King" and has been honored with more than 50 gold records and 20 platinum records. Michael Kunze is at home in the glamorous world of music – and at the same time has a second, completely different life: as a legal historian. The lawyer, author and songwriter will talk about this unusual combination on Tuesday, 16 July at 7.30 pm in the Logensaal of the European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) at the event "The Lion King & The Battle for Justice – An Evening with Michael Kunze".

The evening is being organized by Viadrina legal historian Prof. Dr Benjamin Lahusen, holder of the Chair of Civil Law and Modern Legal History. He talks to Michael Kunze about his career, his legal-historical interests and his art.

Interested parties are cordially invited to attend the talk followed by a reception. 
Registrations are possible until Monday, July 8, by e-mail to: Sekretariat-Lahusen@europa-uni.de

When and where?

Tuesday, July 16, 2024 |7.30 p.m. 
Logensaal der Europa-Universität Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) 
 

About Michael Kunze: Born in Prague in 1943, Michael Kunze studied law, history and philosophy in Munich in the 1960s, wrote a doctorate in legal history and discovered the enigmatic lawyer Rudolf von Jhering - author of the widely read book "Der Kampf ums Recht" - whose estate Kunze was the first to sift through. While still a student, Michael Kunze began writing songs, came across the young Peter Maffay, wrote for Juliane Werding, Peter Alexander, Jürgen Drews and Udo Jürgens, for whom he was a reliable supplier of great successes for decades: "Griechischer Wein", "Ein ehrenwertes Haus", "Ich war noch niemals in New York". Kunze also made a name for himself as a librettist for numerous musicals: The spectrum ranges from "Dance of the Vampires" and "The 10 Commandments" to adaptations of "Phantom of the Opera" or "The Lion King". In addition, Kunze has always remained true to legal history. His works include award-winning monographs on witch trials and the revolution of 1848/49. He has also regularly returned to his childhood hero Rudolf von Jhering, whose biography he is currently working on.